The ancient temple of Konarak is an erotic poetry carved in stone on the Puri beach in Orissa, India. At twilight the temple seems to come alive, the sensuous figures seem to come out of the relief on the walls in love play: Surreal…


Ruins of Konarak (poetic erotica carved in stone)


"Here the language of stone surpasses the language of man."
Rabindranath Tagore on Konark


The temple on the seashore stands,
Golden Chariot to the Sun

The wheels of Time,
carved intricately
in the heart of stone-
Stilled in the eternal moment of history,
Witness for eons
a civilization lost to the ravages of time…

Evening Sun casts slanting rays,
Sky, like a Hermit sits astride-
Forehead Vermillion-dyed-
Overlooks the spectacle of Time:

Figures, Erotic, in love-play
Begin to stir within
The walls begin to sigh…
Tinkling of the anklets echo
in the ancient shrine,

Shadows seem to move and moan
Statues heave sighs,
Whispers giggle,
toes tinkle,
The temple comes alive…

I roam like a spirit
In the eerie ruins,
Standing for eons of times,
A witness to the doom of mankind.

The spirit of the temple enters my soul:
I think of our times together
on those passionate nights
as the evening shadows lengthen outside…

Yearning comes alive:
Yen fills my soul
My throat goes dry,
Eyes glisten-over,
Emotions temperate soar…

Ocean sends fuzzy waves to the shore,
Mildewed breeze blows,
My inner-self glows…



Author: Zoya Zaidi
Aligarh (UP), India
Copyright ©: Zoya Zaidi

The 13-century Sun Temple of Konarak, built in black granite by King Narsimahdeva1 is a world heritage site. The entire complex is designed in Form of Chariot of the Surya, the sun god, driven by twelve pairs of exquisitely decorated wheels of Time. The stone walls of the temple are decorated by erotic figure carved in relief, in various amorous posses from the Kama Sutra.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Temple
http://www.jacekphoto.com/india/india11a.htm




Poetry by Zoya Zaidi
Read 1556 times
Written on 2006-10-29 at 14:40

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la tristesse
wow! you make me want to go there, well writ!
2006-11-07


INDRAN REDDY
here truly is a place i want to lose myself in...you make it so alive...i can feel i am in the middle of this temple...and i can feel the enchantment...it overwhelms me...my heart soars.....
2006-11-04


Mirage
Amazing and so very beautiful!

Thank you for taking me there...

~~~~LOVE~~~
2006-11-01


Su. G
Hey Zoya,

When i wandered into Konark, it happened completely by chance so I have always felt the magic of a place that somehow called me to it. You brought that magic back. Great poem.
2006-10-30


David Hazell
Wow Zoya. I was right there with you reading this. Thanks
2006-10-29


lastromantichero The PoetBay support member heart!
this is a beautiful text Zoya and it is one of the pleasures of this site that you come along with these gems well don rgds mike
2006-10-29



wow girl. reading this is almost like being there!
2006-10-29


wee2souls
A beautiful read loved this:)
hugs
cindy
2006-10-29


Chris Fernie
Dear Zoya,

What you describe is a great feature of Indo-European culture, indeed world culture: love and sex go hand in hand, so to speak.

I love your work!

Cheers, Chris
2006-10-29


.
A visualised tour through your words bring the history of this temple to life!
As ever, a truly amazing write!

Huggs
Liam
2006-10-29

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Passion and Compassion by Zoya Zaidi
by Zoya Zaidi