Sun Temple, Konarak

Distributed under the GNU Free Documentation License

The 13th-century Sun Temple (also known as the Black Pagoda), was built in Orissa red sandstone (Khandolite) and black granite by King Narasimhadeva I (AD 1236-1264) of the Ganga dynasty.

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 a huge chariot drawn by seven spirited horses on twelve pairs of exquisitely decorated wheels.

Year	Decision	Comments
1984	Inscribed	Reasons for inscription

Reviews

():
Recently I have been to this fantastic place Konark and I was ecstatic by the beauty and the craftsmanship. I can't imagine what will be the cost of creating such a huge temple at that time, its really impossible to build now also. I have catched some splendid moments in my site maneesh.co.in

-Maneesh

():
on my rencent visit to india...i had a trip to bhunveshawar...we thn deiceded to go for a day long trip visitn places around...konark...sun temple..i havnt heard much of it...neither remebr seeing it...but i had imagined a small temple...lyk da usual other temples.....after 10mins of walk...b4 which we could hardly have a glance of it...all of a suddn yu jus realise da scale of it....its amazn jus to imagine how they would have built such a huge structutre...n i dont think i saw evn a lil spot without carvings....every inch n bit of it was carved..n it was nuffn really lyk a temple...was 1 of da best things i've eva seen...n since am doing archi at da moment...i can still find similarites of da way da work is done..amazn...would defenitly lyk to go back another tym!! =D

Sri Ganesh (USA):
I visited Konark years ago with my parents and grand parents. The sun temple is an architectural marvel. Even though some parts of the temple were in ruins, there were still a few wheels of the chariot that were in very good shape. The sculptures are just amazing. To avoid the embarrassment of leisurely viewing the erotic sculptures in front of my parents, we split and went our own ways sight seeing! The splendid details of the sculptures are vividly etched in my heart! A must see!

Date posted: September 2006

kalyani lal (india):
I had not expected to see such an architectural marvel, when i first set out to see the Sun Temple at Konark.The brilliantly carved temple tells the stories of the generations past and holds the onlooker awestruck at first sight.
Each of its wheels works as a sundial and the carvings on it bear some philosophical story or the other.
If you do go to see the Sun Temple, do not miss the Navagraha temple on its right hand side(where a row depicting the nine planetary gods from the sun temple has been kept).
Do take a pair of binoculars(to see the higher part of the temple),a cap(the sun is strong) and a camera along.It would be helpful if a guide could show you around as it would help one understand the relevance of certain sculptures and their philosophical importance in the indian tradition.

The government tourist hotel is located close to the temple itself and is quite cheap.The beach too is nearby and is a good place to unwind after one has looked around the main temple.

Date posted: December 2005

Murali Udatha (Australia):
The visit to Konarak was one of the most memorable experiences in my life. Inspite of the decay over the centuries the beauty of this monument to Sun sparkles. The intricate and complex carving on the stone is mind-boggling. The erotic depiction of human passion is not the only highlight of the sculpture. It seems as if the people have frozen in life and some miracle may bring them back into life any time. This is one of the sites in the world which any one seriously interested in architecture and sculpture must visit.

The hotel maintained by Orissa government's tourism department is cheap and value for money. The nearby beach is a bonus.

Have you been to Sun Temple, Konarak? Share your experiences!

Add your own review