Konark Sun Temple

Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century Sun Temple (also known as the Black Pagoda), at Konark, in Orissa. It was constructed from oxidized and weathered ferruginous sandstone by King Narasimhadeva I (1238-1250 CE) of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty. The temple is a mix of Orissan and Dravidian styles of architecture that alludes to the dynasty's Ganga and Chola ancestry. The temple is one of the most renowned temples in India and is a World Heritage Site. It is one of the Seven Wonders of India (as per the poll collected by NDTV).

Konark was built a few years after a scion of the dynasty visited and made rich donations to the ancient Koneswaram temple of Trincomalee in the name of King Chodaganga Deva on Puthandu 1223 CE.

Etymology

The name Konark is derived from the Tamil word Kona (meaning Lord or Peak) and the Sanskrit word Arka (sun) in reference to the temple which was dedicated to the Sun god SuryaThe Geography of India: Sacred and Historic Places By Educational Britannica Educational, page 105

Architecture

Located on the shoreline, now a little over 3 km from the sea, the temple takes the form of the chariot of Surya (Arka), the sun god, and is heavily decorated with stone carving. The entire complex was designed in the form of the god's huge chariot drawn by seven spirited horses on twelve pairs of exquisitely decorated wheels at its...
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