Temple of the Sun | Machu Picchu

The Temple of the Sun is an iconic ancient structure associated with various cultures across different civilizations, often dedicated to solar deities. Below are detailed accounts of the most notable examples of such temples across the world:

1. Konark Sun Temple (India)

• Location: Konark, Odisha, India
• Civilization: Eastern Ganga Dynasty (13th Century CE)
• Dedication: Surya, the Sun God in Hinduism
• Significance:
  The Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is designed as a colossal chariot with intricately carved wheels, walls, and pillars. It symbolizes the Sun God's chariot drawn by seven horses, representing the seven days of the week. The twelve pairs of exquisitely carved wheels represent the months of the year and function as sundials.
• Architecture:
  • Constructed in the Kalinga architectural style.
  • The main sanctum (now in ruins) originally stood 229 feet high, while the Jagamohana (audience hall) still survives.
  • Notable for its elaborate stone carvings depicting celestial beings, animals, musicians, and erotic scenes from the Kama Sutra.
• Astronomical Alignment: The temple is designed so that the first rays of the sunrise illuminate the deity's image inside the sanctum.

2. Coricancha (Temple of the Sun, Peru)

• Location: Cusco, Peru
• Civilization: Inca Empire (15th Century CE)
• Dedication: Inti, the Inca Sun God
• Significance:
  Coricancha was the most sacred temple in the Inca Empire, serving as the religious, political, and astronomical center of Cusco. The temple's name means "Golden Courtyard," as its walls were once covered in sheets of gold.
• Architecture:
  • Built with finely cut, polished stone, a hallmark of Inca architecture.
  • The temple's walls were lined with gold plates, and the gardens featured life-sized gold and silver replicas of crops and animals.
  • The Spanish conquistadors dismantled much of the temple and built the Church of Santo Domingo atop its foundations.
• Astronomical Significance:
  • The temple was aligned with the sun's movements, especially during solstices and equinoxes, enabling the Incas to track agricultural seasons.

3. Temple of the Sun (Teotihuacan, Mexico)

• Location: Teotihuacan, near Mexico City, Mexico
• Civilization: Pre-Aztec (approx. 200 CE)
• Dedication: Likely dedicated to solar worship, though its precise purpose remains debated.
• Significance:
  The Pyramid of the Sun is one of the largest pyramids in the world, forming a central part of the Teotihuacan complex. It demonstrates the astronomical and architectural sophistication of this ancient city.
• Architecture:
  • Constructed of stone and earth, rising to a height of 65 meters (213 feet).
  • Oriented to align with the setting sun during certain times of the year, particularly the summer solstice.
  • A cave beneath the pyramid may have been considered a sacred space symbolizing the birthplace of the Sun.

4. Temple of the Sun (Egypt)

• Location: Abu Gorab, near Cairo, Egypt
• Civilization: Old Kingdom, 5th Dynasty (circa 2400 BCE)
• Dedication: Ra, the Sun God in Egyptian mythology
• Significance:
  The Sun Temples of Abu Gorab are among the earliest known monuments dedicated to solar worship. They were used for rituals involving the solar barque, a symbol of the sun's journey across the sky.
• Architecture:
  • These temples featured open courtyards with a central obelisk, representing the Sun's rays.
  • Sacrificial altars were placed within the temple for offerings to Ra.

5. Temple of the Sun (Rome, Italy)

• Location: Quirinal Hill, Rome
• Civilization: Roman Empire (3rd Century CE)
• Dedication: Sol Invictus, the Unconquered Sun
• Significance:
  The cult of Sol Invictus gained prominence under Emperor Aurelian, who constructed the temple as part of his efforts to promote the Sun God as a unifying deity for the Roman Empire.
• Architecture:
  • Little remains of the temple today, but historical accounts describe it as grand and richly decorated.
  • Sol Invictus became associated with imperial power, with its worship influencing later Christian iconography of Christ as the "Light of the World."

Shared Themes Across Solar Temples:

1. Astronomical Orientation: Temples of the Sun are often aligned with the solstices, equinoxes, or other solar phenomena.
2. Symbolism: These temples emphasize light, life, and fertility, reflecting the Sun's vital role in agriculture and daily life.
3. Magnificent Design: They are adorned with intricate carvings, gold, and astronomical markers that celebrate solar deities and their significance.