Konark wheel replica takes centre stage at G20 venue: 'Odisha's timeless wonder'

The iconic Konark Sun Temple wheel took centre stage at the G20 Summit in Delhi as its replica served as the backdrop for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's welcome handshake with delegates.

PM Modi greeted world leaders as they arrived at Bharat Mandapam, the summit venue, and posed with them for photographs, with the Konark Chakra behind them. After welcoming Joe Biden, the Prime Minister explained the significance of the Konark wheel to the US President.

On one side of the Konark Chakra at the summit venue is the G20 logo, while the other flaunts the Sanskrit slogan 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' - One Earth. One Family. One Future', the theme of India's G20 presidency.

The 'Konark Wheel' went viral on social media platforms. Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan shared his delight on X (formerly Twitter) on "Odisha's timeless wonder".

"A symbol of India’s civilisational, cultural and architectural excellence, the Konark chakra symbolises continuity and progress," the minister tweeted.

ALL ABOUT KONARK CHAKRA

The Konark Wheel took form under King Narasimhadeva-I's reign in the 13th century. A wheel with 24 spokes, the wheel symbolises India's ancient wisdom, architectural excellence and advanced civilisation.

It has also been incorporated into the Indian tricolour. Odisha-based poet and historian Kedar Mishra defines it as a symbol of time.

"The Konark Wheel will always signify time. The 12 pairs of spokes signify the 12 months in a year. Lord Sun is considered the lord of time and of what is beyond time. On the Konark wheel, there is a whole of humanity -- from birds, gods, goddesses, hills, rivers, humans, animals and more," he told news agency PTI.

Here are some key features of the Konark Chakra:

Symbolism: The Konark Chakra represents the wheel of the Sun God's chariot. The Sun Temple itself is designed in the shape of a colossal chariot with 24 wheels, each about 10 feet in diameter, and is pulled by a set of seven horses. These wheels symbolize the 24 hours in a day.

Architectural Marvel: The wheels are intricately carved and are considered masterpieces of Indian art and architecture. Each wheel is adorned with intricate designs, including floral motifs, human figures, and scenes from daily life.

Time-Telling Feature: Interestingly, the spokes of the wheels can be used as a sundial. By observing the shadow cast by the spokes, one can determine the approximate time of day.

Spiritual Significance: The wheels also have a spiritual connotation. They represent the cycle of creation, preservation, and destruction; the cycle of day and night; and the cycle of birth, life, and death.

Historical Context: The Konark Sun Temple was built in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is considered one of the greatest temples in India.

Current State: Over the years, the temple has suffered damage due to natural and human factors. While parts of the temple are in ruins, the wheels have largely remained intact, bearing testimony to the superior craft skills of the artisans of the time.

Tourist Attraction: The Konark Chakra, along with the entire Sun Temple, attracts thousands of tourists and pilgrims every year. It is not only a place of historical and architectural significance but also holds immense spiritual importance for many.

In essence, the Konark Chakra is a symbol of time, life's cyclical nature, and the celestial significance of the Sun in Indian culture and spirituality.

MODI'S WELCOME HANDSHAKE

PM Modi posed for photographs with heads of state and other world leaders after a welcome handshake in front of the Konark Chakra replica at Bharat Mandapam.

US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and several other top leaders were among those welcomed by Modi at the G20 Summit.

Artists played 'Vaishnav Jan To', 'Padharo Mharo Des' and 'Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram' on shehnai as the leaders walked the red carpet at the Bharat Mandapam.