The Jagannath of Konark

Sri Jagannath, as a revered deity holds a special place, not only in the culture of Odisha, but also in the families of its people as well. An Odia offers the first fruit of a tree he has planted to Him, sends the first invitation to Him in a family function, so how could he forget His presence when his ancestors built the artistic and unique Konark Sun Temple.

There are three murties of Sri Jagannath associated with Konark Sun Temple. One, on the walls of the Konark Sun Temple and the other two in the museums (one at the National Museum, New Delhi and the other at the ASI Museum, Konark). In all the three murties Gajapati Langula Narasingha Dev is prostrating with folded hands in reverence to Sri Jagannath, Devi Durga and Mahadev (in form of Linga). This signifies the importance of the Vaishnava, Shakta and Shaiva sects in ancient Odisha and represents the unity in diversity of these sects.