Konark Sun Temple

About Konark Sun Temple:

• Location: It is located on the coastline of Odisha in Puri district.
• It was built by King Narasimha Deva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty in 1244.
• It was given the status of a World Heritage Site in 1984 by UNESCO.
• Features:
  • Also called the Surya Devalaya, the temple is dedicated to the Hindu god Surya.
  • It is a classic example of the Odisha style of Architecture or Kalinga Architecture.
  • The temple complex has the appearance of a 100-foot high solar chariot, with 24 wheels and pulled by six horses, all carved from stone.
  • It is oriented towards the east so that the first rays of the sunrise strike the main entrance.
  • The wheels of the temple are sundials, which can be used to calculate time accurately to a minute.
  • Around the base of the temple, there are images of animals, foliage, warriors on horses and other interesting structures.
  • On the walls and roof of the temple, beautiful sensual figures are carve
  • The temple, built from Khondalite rocks, is also known as 'BLACK PAGODA' due to its dark colour.
  • The temple remains a site of contemporary worship for Hindus, during the annual Chandrabhaga Festival, around the month of February.