Objectives:

Objective 1: Identify the location, historical background, and spiritual significance of the Aruna Stambha (Sun Pillar) at the Jagannath Temple, Puri.

Objective 2:Describe the architectural features, structural design, and ritual importance of the Aruna Stambha in Jagannath Temple worship.

PLACES WITHIN JAGANNATH TEMPLE

Objective 1: Identify the location, historical background, and spiritual significance of the Aruna Stambha (Sun Pillar) at the Jagannath Temple, Puri.

Aruna Stambha (Sun Pillar)

Aruna Stambha (Sun Pillar) is a sixteen-sided 34 feet (10 m) tall monolithic chlorite stone Pillar having the idol of Aruna (Charioteer of Sun) on the top. It is about twenty feet (6.1 m) away from the Singhdwara (Lion Gateway) of Jagannath Temple in Puri.

Statue of Aruna (the charioteer of the Sun) on top of the Aruna Stambha in front of the Singhadwara

LOCATION:

The Aruna Stambha (Sun Pillar) is placed in front of the Lion Gate (Simha Dwara) of Jagannath Temple on the eastern side. This Stambha is also popularly known as Sun Pillar. It is about twenty feet (6.1 m) away from the Singhdwara (Lion Gateway) of Jagannath Temple in Puri.

An image of Aruna Stambha in front of the Jagannath Temple

The art & Craft of this Stambha is very beautiful and magnificent. The area where the Aruna Stambha was installed is popularly known as “Aruna Stambha Chakada”.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:

According to Madala Panji, Chronicle of Jagannath Temple, the Aruna Stambha was brought from the Konark (Sun Temple) during the reign of Bhoi King Dibyasingha Deva II by the Maratha Guru ‘Brahmachari Gosain’ and erected here in front of Singhadwara.

In 1815, the artists of Colin Mackenzie prepared a sketch of the Pillar at Puri. The pillar seems to have been removed to Puri in the last quarter of the 18th century. From the Vedic times, Surya is taken to be identical with Vishnu. Hence it was quite appropriate to place it in front of the temple of Vishnu-Jagannath at Puri.

STRUCTURAL DETAILS:

The Aruna Stambha is a masterpiece of art that bears powerful testimony to the history of Odia sculpture. Aruna Stambha (Sun Pillar) is a sixteen-sided 34 feet (10 m) tall monolithic chlorite stone Pillar having the idol of Aruna (Charioteer of Sun) on the top.

The Stambha (Sun Pillar) is the monolithic (made of a single stone) shaft of chlorite with sixteen sides. The Stambha Capital is formed of two rings surmounted by a series of lotus petals. The carvings on the plinth are of the most sumptuous description, the like of which are to be seen nowhere else in India. This Stambha is 700 years old (13th century to 21st century). The Aruna Stambha is a masterpiece of art that bears powerful testimony to the history of Odia sculpture. For safety and security reasons, this Stambha is surrounded by iron grills.

Objective 2: Describe the architectural features, structural design, and ritual importance of the Aruna Stambha in Jagannath Temple worship.

The Sun Pillar is a sixteen-sided polygonal polished monolithic (made of a single stone) shaft of chlorite stone. Height of the Sun Pillar is 25 feet and 2 inches. Diameter of the Sun Pillar is 2 feet. Circumference of the Sun Pillar is 6 feet and 3.5 inches.

The Sun Pillar stands on an exquisitely carved pedestal (made of chlorite) of 7 feet 9 inches square. The pedestal is beautifully carved with war scenes and other stone figures. Height of the pedestal is 6 feet. The Sun Pillar has a capital (crowning member of a column) on the top with a squatting figure of Aruna in prayer mode.

The capital is formed of two rings surmounted by a series of lotus petals. Height of the capital is 2 feet and 6 inches.

RITUALS:

The daily rituals of the Sun Pillar are performed by the Chunara/Garuda Sevaks of Sri Mandir as per Vedic Niti. The devotees also offer their Puja to the Idol of Aruna before entering the Jagannath Temple using the Lion’s Gate.