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Konark Sun Temple
UNESCO chariot-shaped temple with carved wheels
Konark Sun Temple
heritage site · Odisha
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- State
- Odisha
- Type
- Heritage Site
- Best season
- Winter
- Things to do
- 3+
The Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century temple near the Bay of Bengal coast in Odisha's Puri district, built in dark khondalite stone as a giant chariot for the sun god Surya — complete with 24 carved stone wheels and seven straining horses. The main tower collapsed long ago, but the surviving audience hall (Jagamohan) still stands amid lawns, its walls covered in fine relief carvings of celestial figures, processions and everyday life.
A short history
Built around 1250 CE by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, the temple was designed as a colossal chariot for the Sun God Surya, complete with 24 carved stone wheels and a team of seven horses. Much of the temple's main tower collapsed centuries ago, likely due to a combination of structural issues and, according to some accounts, deliberate damage during later invasions; what survives is still considered one of the supreme achievements of Kalinga temple architecture.
Why Konark Sun Temple matters
A UNESCO World Heritage Site built as a colossal stone chariot for the Sun God, among the finest examples of Kalinga architecture.
How many people come
36 lakh
monument in 2023 · ASI (official)
When to go
October to March, when the winter weather makes walking the open stone plinths comfortable.
Why visit
See one of India's great medieval monuments — a UNESCO World Heritage temple built as a stone chariot to the sun, famous for its carved wheels and reliefs.
Cultural notes
King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty raised the temple around 1250 CE to mark a major military victory, and UNESCO inscribed it in 1984. Its 24 stone wheels are working sundials, cut with real precision. Every winter it stands behind the dancers at the annual Konark Dance Festival.
How to reach
Located 35 km northeast of Puri and 65 km from Bhubaneswar. Roads run in from both, including the multi-lane Marine Drive from Puri, with regular state transport buses and private tourist taxis daily.
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Food & cuisine
Signature dishes and local flavours to look for in Konark Sun Temple.
1 dish
Odia Fish Curry (Konark coast)
Mustard-and-poppy-seed fish curry from the Odisha coast, served at the small eateries around Konark and nearby Chandrabhaga beach.
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How to spend your time in Konark Sun Temple.
The 24 carved wheels
Stone wheels that work as sundials
Konark Dance Festival
Classical dance against the temple (December)
Popular attractions
The places in Konark Sun Temple most people come for.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Konark Sun Temple famous?
A 13th-century UNESCO temple built as the Sun God's chariot, with 24 intricately carved stone wheels.
Is it still a working temple?
No, it is a monument (partly ruined) - the main tower collapsed long ago, but the carvings are extraordinary.
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