Located in Konark, Odisha, India, the Konark Sun Temple dates back to the 13th century. Around 1250 CE, Narasimhadeva I, the king of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty, is thought to have constructed the temple. The temple has intricately carved stone walls, pillars, and wheels that resemble a massive chariot. Most of the building is currently in ruins. In addition to being listed on several lists of India’s Seven Wonders, the temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Kona, which means corner or angle, and Arka, which means sun, are combined to form the term Konark, which refers to the temple that was built in honor of the Sun God Surya.

European mariners also referred to the structure as the Black Pagoda. On the other hand, the Puri Jagannath Temple was dubbed the White Pagoda. For the sailors, these temples were significant landmarks.

The Chandrabhaga River’s mouth was where the temple was first constructed, but since then, the waterline has retreated. The temple was constructed to resemble the enormously ornate chariot of Surya, the sun deity. It is drawn by a group of seven horses, three on the left and four on the right, and features twelve pairs of intricately carved stone wheels that are three meters in width. The temple is built in the conventional Kalinga architectural style. It is thoughtfully situated eastward so that the main entrance is illuminated by the first light of dawn.The rocks used to build the temple are Khondalite.

The sensual maithuna sculptures of the Konark temple are another well-known feature.

Not far away, two smaller, abandoned temples have been found. Situated southwest of the main temple’s entrance lies the Mayadevi Temple, one of them. Presumably, it was dedicated to Mayadevi, one of the wives of the Sun god. It is older than the main temple, dating to the late 11th century.The other is associated with an unidentified Vaishnava god. The location of the sculptures of Trivikrama, Varaha, and Balarama suggests that the temple is a Vaishnavite one. The principal idols of both temples are missing.

The Archaeological Survey of India is in charge of the Konark Archaeological Museum, where visitors can observe a collection of fallen sculptures.