Located in the town of Konark, 35 km from Puri, Konark Sun Temple, is one of these few sun temples in India. The structure was constructed out of black granite and took 12 years to complete. It marks the highest point of achievement of Kalinga architecture depicting the grace, the joy and the rhythm of life in all its wondrous variety. It was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1984. The history of Konark Sun Temple and sun worship goes as far back as the 19th century BC. The Konark Sun Temple, however, was built in the 13th century. The Konark Temple was built by King Narasimha Deva I in 1244 to worship Surya, the Sun God. Konark was chosen as its place of construction because it has been described as the holy seat of Surya in various ancient texts.

The temple is in the shape of a chariot, with exquisitely carved wheels and galloping horses. It is said that Surya rode across the sky on his chariot pulled by 7 horses. The platform of Konark is engraved with 24 wheels of the chariot. The numbers 7 and 24 hold a lot of significance. Some say that the 7 horses represent the 7 days of the week, while others say that 7 horses represent the 7 components of white light that we know as the VIBGYOR. Number 7 is said to be a magical number because it’s present all around us, spiritually, historically, and materialistically. The temple’s architecture is an excellent example of the Kalinga style of architecture. The temple is renowned for its artistic splendour and engineering prowess. According to experts, it was designed to allow the first rays of sunlight to fall on the main entrance. Even today, the rays of the sun falling on the wheels that serve as sundials can be used to tell the time. The word “Konark” is a combination of two Sanskrit words: “kona,” meaning “corner” or “angle,” and “arka” meaning “sun.

The temple also features elaborate stone carvings depicting scenes from Hindu mythology. The chariot of the Konark Sun Temple is 100-feet high. But what you see of the temple is what remains of it. Its architecture has all the defining elements of the Kalinga architecture – it includes Shikhara (crown), Jagmohana (audience hall), Natmandir (dance hall), and Vimana (tower). Several legends mention that the architecture of the Konark Surya Mandir is so accurate and intricate that the day’s first light fell on the image of Surya in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, known as the Garbha Griha. The temple also has intricately carved reliefs of dancers, musicians, animals, and some erotic figures on the plinth of the temple. The entirety of the chariot has carved images of cult icons, and gods and goddesses. The exquisite detail of the temple can only be seen when standing right in front of it. The walls also have carvings of the daily life of the members of the Natmandir.

Sailors once called this Sun Temple of Konark, the Black Pagoda because it was supposed to draw ships into the shore and cause shipwrecks.