Konark Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

10 March, 2024, Sun Temple, Konark, Orissa India, Ruins of 800 year old temple dedicated to Sun. Designed as a chariot consisting of 24 wheels which are sundials to measure movement of sun and planets
10 March, 2024, Sun Temple, Konark, Orissa India, Ruins of 800 year old temple dedicated to Sun. Designed as a chariot consisting of 24 wheels which are sundials to measure movement of sun and planets
10 March, 2024, Sun Temple, Konark, Orissa India, Ruins of 800 year old temple dedicated to Sun. Designed as a chariot consisting of 24 wheels which are sundials to measure movement of sun and planets
Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century CE Sun Temple at Konark in Orissa, India. It is believed that the temple was built by king Narasimhadeva I of Eastern Ganga Dynasty in 1255 CE. The temple complex is in the shape of a gigantic chariot, having elaborately carved stone wheels, pillars and walls. A major part of the structure is now in ruins. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has also featured on various list of Seven Wonders of India. The temple is 35 km from Puri and 65 km from Bhubaneswar. The name Konark derives from the combination of the Sanskrit words, Kona (corner or angle) and Ark (the sun), in reference to the temple which was dedicated to the Sun God Surya.
Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century CE Sun Temple at Konark in Orissa, India. It is believed that the temple was built by king Narasimhadeva I of Eastern Ganga Dynasty[2] in 1255 CE.[3] The temple complex is in the shape of a gigantic chariot, having elaborately carved stone wheels, pillars and walls. A major part of the structure is now in ruins. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site[4] and has also featured on various list of Seven Wonders of India. The temple is 35 km from Puri and 65 km from Bhubaneswar. The name Konark derives from the combination of the Sanskrit words, Kona (corner or angle) and Ark (the sun), in reference to the temple which was dedicated to the Sun God Surya.[4] The monument was also called the Black Pagoda'(Kaala Pagoda) by the European sailors. In contrast, the Jagannath Temple in Puri was called the White Pagoda. Both temples served as important landmarks for the sailors.[5] Konark Sun Temple used Iron beams for its structure. The temple was originally built at the mouth of the river Chandrabhaga, but the waterline has receded since then. The temple has been built in the form of a giant ornamented chariot of the Sun god, Surya. It has twelve pairs of elaborately carved stone wheels which are 3 meters[4] wide and is pulled by a set of seven horses (4 on the right and 3 on the left).[6] The temple follows the traditional style of Kalinga architecture. It is carefully oriented towards the east so that the first rays of sunrise strikes the principal entrance.[4] The temple is built from Khondalite rocks.[7][8] The original temple had a main sanctum sanctorum (vimana), which was supposedly 229 feet[6] (70 m) tall. Due to the weight of the superstructure (70 m tall) and weak soil of the area, the main vimana fell in 1837.[9] The audience hall (Jagamohana), which is about 128 feet (39 m) tall, still stands and is the principal structure in the surviving ruins. Among the structures, which have survived to the current day, are the dance hall (Nata mandira) and dining hall (Bhoga mandapa).[4][6] The Konark temple is also known for its erotic sculptures of maithunas.[10] Two smaller ruined temples have been discovered nearby. One of them is called the Mayadevi Temple and is located southwest from the entrance of the main temple. It is presumed to have been dedicated to Mayadevi, one of the Sun god's wives. It has been dated to the late 11th century, earlier than the main temple.[11] The other one belongs to some unknown Vaishnava deity. Sculptures of Balarama, Varaha and Trivikrama have been found at the site, indicating it to be a Vaishnavite temple. Both temples have their primary idols missing. A collection of fallen sculptures can be viewed at the Konark Archaeological Museum which is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India.
MAYFAIR Heritage, Puri

MAYFAIR Heritage, Puri

4 out of 5
Chakratirtha Road Puri Orissa
The price is ₹11,890 per night from 8 Feb to 9 Feb
₹11,890
₹14,217 total
8 Feb - 9 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Puri. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Popular attractions Jagannath Temple and Sudarshan Crafts Museum are ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (40 reviews)
Very good property

Reviewed on 25 Aug 2025

MAYFAIR Heritage, Puri
Hotel Holiday Resort

Hotel Holiday Resort

3 out of 5
Chakratirtha Road Puri Orissa
The price is ₹3,720 per night from 17 Feb to 18 Feb
₹3,720
₹3,920 total
17 Feb - 18 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Puri. Enjoy free parking, a beach locale and room service. Popular attractions Jagannath Temple and Sudarshan Crafts Museum are located ...
7.8/10 Good! (19 reviews)
Everything was amazing

Reviewed on 27 Nov 2025

Hotel Holiday Resort
MAYFAIR Waves

MAYFAIR Waves

4 out of 5
Chakratirtha Road Puri Orissa
The price is ₹12,396 per night from 15 Feb to 16 Feb
₹12,396
₹14,822 total
15 Feb - 16 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this beach hotel in Puri. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a beach locale. Popular attractions Jagannath Temple and Sudarshan Crafts Museum are located ...
8/10 Very Good! (24 reviews)
Room good. Staff indifferent. Food moderately ok. Restaurant staff service below average.

Reviewed on 16 Dec 2025

MAYFAIR Waves
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Super Hotel O Sarvodaya Nagar

Super Hotel O Sarvodaya Nagar

2 out of 5
Puri Odisha
Stay at this holiday home in Puri. Enjoy free parking. Popular attractions Jagannath Temple and Sudarshan Crafts Museum are located nearby.
Super Hotel O Sarvodaya Nagar
Townhouse Shree Jagannath Puri

Townhouse Shree Jagannath Puri

Puri Odisha
Stay at this holiday home in Puri. Enjoy free parking. Popular attractions Jagannath Temple and Narendra Sagar are located nearby.
Townhouse Shree Jagannath Puri
Townhouse Shree Jagannath Puri

Townhouse Shree Jagannath Puri

Puri Odisha
Stay at this holiday home in Puri. Enjoy free parking. Popular attractions Jagannath Temple and Narendra Sagar are located nearby.
Townhouse Shree Jagannath Puri
See all properties in Konark
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century CE Sun Temple at Konark in Orissa, India. It is believed that the temple was built by king Narasimhadeva I of Eastern Ganga Dynasty[2] in 1255 CE.[3] The temple complex is in the shape of a gigantic chariot, having elaborately carved stone wheels, pillars and walls. A major part of the structure is now in ruins. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site[4] and has also featured on various list of Seven Wonders of India. The temple is 35 km from Puri and 65 km from Bhubaneswar. The name Konark derives from the combination of the Sanskrit words, Kona (corner or angle) and Ark (the sun), in reference to the temple which was dedicated to the Sun God Surya.[4] The monument was also called the Black Pagoda'(Kaala Pagoda) by the European sailors. In contrast, the Jagannath Temple in Puri was called the White Pagoda. Both temples served as important landmarks for the sailors.[5] Konark Sun Temple used Iron beams for its structure. The temple was originally built at the mouth of the river Chandrabhaga, but the waterline has receded since then. The temple has been built in the form of a giant ornamented chariot of the Sun god, Surya. It has twelve pairs of elaborately carved stone wheels which are 3 meters[4] wide and is pulled by a set of seven horses (4 on the right and 3 on the left).[6] The temple follows the traditional style of Kalinga architecture. It is carefully oriented towards the east so that the first rays of sunrise strikes the principal entrance.[4] The temple is built from Khondalite rocks.[7][8] The original temple had a main sanctum sanctorum (vimana), which was supposedly 229 feet[6] (70 m) tall. Due to the weight of the superstructure (70 m tall) and weak soil of the area, the main vimana fell in 1837.[9] The audience hall (Jagamohana), which is about 128 feet (39 m) tall, still stands and is the principal structure in the surviving ruins. Among the structures, which have survived to the current day, are the dance hall (Nata mandira) and dining hall

Konark Sun Temple

After visiting Konark Sun Temple, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Gop. Take in the festivals and sunrises in the area.

Konark Sun Temple

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