Sun Temple, Konark
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A 13th-century temple built as a giant stone chariot of the Sun God, with 24 carved wheels and seven horses, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
MonumentKonark, Puri districtBest time to visit: October to March; the Konark Dance Festival is held in DecemberUNESCO heritage 1984
Highlights
- The 24 carved stone wheels, some of which are said to work as sundials
- Detailed carvings of dancers, musicians, animals and daily life
- Chandrabhaga beach nearby
- Konark Dance Festival against the temple backdrop in December
Significance
Built in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, the temple is a high point of Kalinga architecture. Its wheel appears on the ₹10 note. It was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1984.