Bhubaneswar: Four replicas of the Konark wheel, made of sandstone, have been installed at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre and Amrit Udyan.
“The installation of Konark wheels aims to showcase and promote the country’s rich heritage among visitors. This initiative is part of ongoing efforts to incorporate traditional cultural and historical elements into Rashtrapati Bhavan,” ANI quoted an official as saying.
Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built in 1250 CE from stone in the form of a giant chariot carrying sun God.
The temple has 12 pairs of wheels representing wheels of the giant chariot. Each wheel is 9 feet in diameter and consists of 8 wider spokes and 8 inner spokes.
The 12 wheels signify 12 months of the year, while the 8 spokes represent the 8 time divisions of the day.
The carvings on the wheels depict scenes from Hindu mythology, including images of gods and goddesses, animals, and humans.
The wheel is also believed to symbolise the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.