The new Parliament building’s Karma Gate now features a replica of Konark Chakra, one of the 24 enormous stone wheels that made up the “sun chariot” at the Sun Temple in Odisha. Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the structure on Sunday.
The new building has three main gates – Gyan Dwar, Shakti Dwar and Karma Dwar. The huge bronze replica of the wheel at world-famous Konark Sun temple’s wheel with all intricate details is installed at the right side of the ceremonial gate of the new Parliament. “It is fixed to the right side of the ceremonial gate through which the President will enter to deliver speech at the beginning of the budget session,” BJD MP said.
He added that sandstone carvings of the animals Garud (eagle), Gaj (elephant), Ashva (horse), and Maggar (crocodile) had also been placed at the entrances to the new structure. As they adorn the entrances to the Sun Temple and Jagannath Temple in Puri, it has been stated there that the installation of elephants and horses was influenced by Odisha.
Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan also shared a picture of him with Mahatab and BJP MP Pratap Sarangi and wrote: “The new Parliament is the best example of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’. The temple of democracy has the essence of Odisha’s rich cultural heritage. This wheel inspired from the wheel of Konark Sun temple which signifies energy, skill and progress is a reflection of India’s glory.”
The inside of the structure are richly decorated with traditional Indian symbols, customs, and culture. According to Indian Express, about 70% of the art that will decorate the walls of the new building has already been commissioned. The other 30% will be sourced over the following two months.
It showcases reproductions of each state’s World Heritage Sites and depicts its major festivals in paintings, frescoes, or digitally adapted versions. Sangeet Gallery, Sthapatya Gallery, and People’s Wall are the three galleries that are accessible to the general public. Famous musicians like Ustad Bismillah Khan, Pandit Ravi Shankar, Ustad Amjad Ali Khan, Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, Vidwan N Ramani, and Pt Shiv Kumar Sharma have donated their instruments to the Sangeet Gallery to display the depth of the nritya, gayan, and vadya traditions of India. These musicians also asked for donations from their families. The People’s Wall features paintings by 75 female grassroots artists and displays traditional and tribal traditions, while the Shilpa Gallery displays handicrafts from every Indian state.
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