Konark Sun Temple

A Masterpiece Carved in Stone

Built in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, the Konark Sun Temple is conceived as the magnificent chariot of Surya, the Sun God — complete with twenty-four intricately carved wheels and a team of seven straining horses. Recognised by UNESCO in 1984, it stands today as the crowning achievement of Kalinga temple architecture.

Every surface tells a story: celestial dancers, musicians, mythical creatures and scenes of everyday life are chiselled across the sandstone. The temple's famous wheels double as remarkably accurate sundials, allowing visitors to read the time from the shadows of their spokes — a breathtaking marriage of art, science and devotion.

Highlights

• 24 exquisitely carved wheels that function as working sundials
• Seven horses symbolising the days of the week
• Intricate friezes of dancers, deities and daily life
• The nearby Konark Dance Festival held every December