Currency - India - 20 Rupees - Year 1975-1977

Item code: 90/IN-14

Konark Wheel Note

This note had quite a few security improvements over the previous design.

Year	1975-1977
Obverse	Lion Capital of Ashoka on the right side. The language panel next to watermark with value in 13 languages. The value 20 in the center.
Reverse	"Wheel" as in the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha. The temple in the background.
Watermark	Lion Capital of Asoka
Size	147x63 mm.
Signature	K. R. Puri (Governor, 1975-1977)

 Obverse description: 

About Governor

K. R. Puri

K. R. Puri Governor of the Reserve Bank of India from 20 August 1975 to 21 May 1977. He was the Chairman and Managing Director of the Life Insurance Corporation of India prior to his appointment as Governor of the RBI. 

His signature appears on one of the last Indian rupee notes of 1,000 denomination. These notes were demonetised in 1978, and were re-introduced after a period of 22 years in 2000.

What happens when the notes and coins return from circulation? 

Notes and coins returned from circulation are deposited at the offices of the Reserve Bank. The Reserve Bank then separates the notes that are fit for reissue and those which are not fit for reissue. The notes which are fit for reissue are sent back in circulation and those which are unfit for reissue are destroyed after processing shredded. The same is the case with coins. The coins withdrawn are sent to the Mints for melting.

What is a currency chest? 

To facilitate the distribution of notes and rupee coins, the Reserve Bank has authorised selected branches of banks to establish currency chests. These are actually storehouses where bank notes and rupee coins are stocked on behalf of the Reserve Bank. At present, there are over 4422 currency chests. The currency chest branches are expected to distribute notes and rupee coins to other bank branches in their area of operation.

Reverse description: 

Konark Sun Temple

Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century CE Sun Temple at Konark in Odisha, India. It is believed that the temple was built by king Narasimhadeva I of Eastern Ganga Dynasty in 1255 CE. The temple complex is in the shape of a gigantic chariot, having elaborately carved stone wheels, pillars and walls. A major part of the structure is now in ruins. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has also featured on various list of Seven Wonders of India. The temple is 35 km from Puri and 65 km from Bhubaneswar.

Etymology : The name Konark derives from the combination of the Sanskrit words, Kona (corner or angle) and Ark (the sun), in reference to the temple which was dedicated to the Sun God Surya. The monument was also called the Black Pagoda'(Kaala Pagoda) by the European sailors. In contrast, the Jagannath Temple in Puri was called the White Pagoda. Both temples served as important landmarks for the sailors. Konark Sun Temple used Iron beams for its structure.

Konark Sun Temple – Exquisite Wheel of the Chariot

Architecture: The temple was originally built at the mouth of the river Chandrabhaga, but the waterline has receded since then. The temple has been built in the form of a giant ornamented chariot of the Sun god, Surya. It has twelve pairs of elaborately carved stone wheels which are 3 meters wide and is pulled by a set of seven horses (4 on the right and 3 on the left). The temple follows the traditional style of Kalinga architecture. It is carefully oriented towards the east so that the first rays of sunrise strikes the principal entrance. The temple is built from Khondalite rocks.

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