Konark Sun Temple

Konark Sun Temple is a historic temple, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. Built in the 13th century by King Narasimha Deva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty, this temple is shaped like a giant chariot of the Sun God Surya that has four pair of wheels and is dragged by seven horses. Reflecting the Orissi and Dravidian style of architecture, the temple comprises a sanctum with a sikhara, a jagamohana and a detached nata-mandira in the same axis.

The main highlights of the temple are the huge wheels carved at the base of the temple. These wheels comprise spokes, which serve as the sundial and their shadow gives the precise time. Two giant lions that are shown crushing the war elephants, guard the entrance of this temple. The entire temple complex is adorned with sculptures similar to that of the Khajuraho temple. The imposing structure with the pyramidal roof in the main temple is the porch, which is called jagamohana.

Belonging to the Kalinga school of Indian temples, this temple has a main sanctum with elaborate external projections. Towards the west of the main temple, tourists can see the remains of the temple of Mayadevi. This temple is believed to be dedicated to one of the wives of Lord Surya. In the south-west corner of the compound, there is a small brick temple facing east. The temple was discovered in 1956 during the sand clearance.