Odisha’s Konark Wheel takes center stage at G-20 summit venue

New Delhi: At the G20 Summit venue in Delhi, the historic Konark Wheel from Odisha’s Sun Temple emerged as a focal point of attention. Prime Minister Narendra Modi strategically selected a wall adorned with a depiction of this 13th-century marvel as the backdrop for his warm welcome to world leaders.

This captivating move aimed to highlight India’s cultural heritage and architectural splendor as PM Modi engaged in cordial handshakes and conversations with global leaders, including U.S. President Joe Biden.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, hailing from Odisha himself, expressed immense pride in this cultural representation. He stated, “Odisha’s magnificent culture and heritage find a place of pride at #G20 India. The Konark chakra is an architectural marvel illustrating the civilizational concepts of time, space, continuity, and the future.”

Odisha’s magnificent culture and heritage finds a place of pride at #G20India.

The Konark chakra is an architectural marvel illustrating the civilisational concepts of time, space, continuity and the future.

PM @narendramodi explaining the significance of India’s heritage and… pic.twitter.com/X4esZxsi3j

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) September 9, 2023

Prime Minister Modi, known for incorporating cultural symbolism into official events, took the opportunity to explain the cultural significance of the Konark Wheel to visiting dignitaries.

#WATCH | G 20 in India: Handshake by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, US President Joe Biden, President of Brazil Luiz Inacio, President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa and World Bank President Ajay Banga at Bharat Mandapam, the venue for G-20 Summit in Delhi. pic.twitter.com/n5Ahe0G5Ia

— ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

The Konark Wheel is an integral part of the Sun Temple, dedicated to the sun god Surya. Resembling a colossal chariot with 7 horses and 12 pairs of exquisitely decorated wheels, this architectural masterpiece was constructed during the reign of King Narasimhadeva-I.

At the G20 Summit venue, another remarkable cultural icon seized the spotlight—a 27-foot-tall bronze statue of Nataraja, embodying Lord Shiva in his dynamic dance form, known as “tandava.” This sculpture, meticulously crafted from a blend of eight metals, captivated attendees with its representation of Shiva’s roles as creator, preserver, and destroyer.

#WATCH | G 20 in India | Prime Minister Narendra Modi shares glimpses of G20 Summit; tweets, “Been a productive morning at the G20 Summit in Delhi.”

(Video: PM Narendra Modi’s Twitter account) pic.twitter.com/gxlrmZoY4k

— ANI (@ANI) September 9, 2023

The presence of these cultural symbols at the G20 Summit exemplifies India’s rich heritage and its commitment to showcasing its profound cultural and architectural excellence on the global stage.