The Konark (Sun) Temple

Situated 35 kilometers from Puri and 64km from Bhubaneswar in the State of Orissa is the Konark Sun Temple also known as the Black Pagoda from its dark colour seen from a distance. The temple standing on the sandy coast of the Bay of Bengal is considered as an Orissan architectural/ engineering wonder and one of the finest monuments of religious architecture in the world.

The entire temple complex in Konark is conceived by its architect, Sibei Samantaray, in the shape of a chariot with seven horses (three on the north and four on the south) and 24 spoke, exquisitely ornamented gigantic wheels on each side of the temple to pull the Sun God, Surya, across the heavens.  

The temple belonging to the Kalinga School of Indian Temples with characteristic curvilinear towers mounted by Cupolas, was erected in the mid-13th century by Orissan King of Ganga Dynasty Narasimhadev I (AD 1238-64) to commemorate his victorious expansion into Bengal, and as a symbol of the Hindu might against the encroaching Muslims. In the late 15th century, however, Konark was taken and pillaged by Muslim armies, and over the years its great tower collapsed, and sand and rubble covered most of the structure. It was only in the early 20th century that archaeologists unearthed and began to restore the stone temple. The regally splendid monument is dedicated to both god and man. 

Konark derives its name from Konarka, the presiding deity of the Sun Temple. It is the combination of Kona (corner) and Arka (sun), which, when combined, means the sun of the corner. According to popular lore, it was here that the cult of sun-worship began some 5,000 years ago. However, legend has it that the temple was constructed by Samba, the son of Lord Krishna. It is said that Samba was afflicted by leprosy, brought about by his father's curse on him. After 12 years of penance, he was cured by Surya, the Sun God, in whose honour he built this temple.  Sun temple was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1984.