A Tribute to Odisha’s Artistic Heritage: ‘Konark Chakra’ Graces New Parliament

Bhubaneswar: The new Parliament building in New Delhi has incorporated elements of Odisha’s artistic heritage, evoking a sense of pride among the people of the state. A grand replica of the renowned Konark Sun temple’s wheel, the ‘Konark Chakra’, adorned with intricate bronze artwork, has been added to the ceremonial gate of the Parliament.

Bhartruhari Mahatab, an esteemed Member of Parliament from the BJD party, expressed his admiration for this significant gesture towards Odisha. He emphasized the prominence of the ‘Konark Chakra’, mentioning its placement on the right side of the ceremonial gate where the President delivers the opening speech of the budget session.

Mahatab highlighted Odisha’s cultural heritage, often associated with its vibrant art and architectural marvels. The Sun temple in Konark stands as a testament to this heritage. Drawing a parallel, he pointed out that the entrance gates of the Sun temple and the Jagannath temple in Puri feature depictions of elephants and horses. Similarly, the new Parliament has incorporated these elements, inspired by Odisha’s rich artistic traditions. He regarded this inclusion as a significant achievement.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also acknowledged the importance of this cultural integration. Through a tweet, he shared a photo alongside Bhartruhari Mahatab and Pratap Sarangi, Members of Parliament from BJD and BJP respectively, emphasizing that the new Parliament exemplifies the vision of “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” (One India, Great India). He highlighted that the Parliament’s design, including the wheel inspired by the Konark Sun temple, symbolizes India’s glory and represents Odisha’s remarkable cultural heritage.

नया संसद भवन एक भारत श्रेष्ठ भारत की भावना का अनुपम उदाहरण है।

लोकतंत्र के मंदिर में ओड़िशा की गौरवशाली सांस्कृतिक विरासत की एक झलक। ऊर्जा, कौशल और गतिशीलता को दर्शाती कोणार्क सूर्य मंदिर के चक्र से प्रेरित यह ओड़िया कलाकृति भारत के वैभव का प्रतिबिंब है। #MyParlimentMyPride pic.twitter.com/I8yJkLiwFQ

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) May 28, 2023

By incorporating Odisha’s artistic legacy, the new Parliament not only showcases the state’s cultural richness but also symbolizes the unity and diversity of India as a whole.