08-26-2006, 10:46 PM
Narasimha Deva I, popularly known as Langula Narasimha, (AD1238-1264), the great Ganga monarch whose kingdom was extended from the Ganga in the
north to the Godavari in the south and under whom Orissa witnessed the zenith of prosperity is credited to have constructed the colossal Surya Deul (Sun temple) at Konark.
Some scholars, however, surmised that the temple was erected as a memorial by the ambitious monarch to commemorate his successful military campaigns against the Muslims. This speculation is plausible on the basis that the construction of the temple apparently began soon after Narasimha-I's military success against the Muslims and that there is a preponderance of military activities appearing in the decorative programme of the temple.
K.C. Panigrahi observes, "His (Narasimha's) victory over the Muslims of Bengal and his acquisition of the southern districts of western Bengal must have enormously raised his prestige in the eyes of the contemporary Hindu rulers and augmented his resources, which in all likelihood enable him to undertake the construction of a stupendous structure like the temple of Konark, designed to exhibit his power, prestige, opulence, devotion and perhaps to commemorate his victory also".
Orissa Review
Is there any more info on this great Hindu King??
north to the Godavari in the south and under whom Orissa witnessed the zenith of prosperity is credited to have constructed the colossal Surya Deul (Sun temple) at Konark.
Some scholars, however, surmised that the temple was erected as a memorial by the ambitious monarch to commemorate his successful military campaigns against the Muslims. This speculation is plausible on the basis that the construction of the temple apparently began soon after Narasimha-I's military success against the Muslims and that there is a preponderance of military activities appearing in the decorative programme of the temple.
K.C. Panigrahi observes, "His (Narasimha's) victory over the Muslims of Bengal and his acquisition of the southern districts of western Bengal must have enormously raised his prestige in the eyes of the contemporary Hindu rulers and augmented his resources, which in all likelihood enable him to undertake the construction of a stupendous structure like the temple of Konark, designed to exhibit his power, prestige, opulence, devotion and perhaps to commemorate his victory also".
Orissa Review
Is there any more info on this great Hindu King??