Sun Temple at Konarak.
The Sun Temple in Konark, India is a 13th-century stone temple dedicated to the Hindu sun god Surya. It's located on the coastline in the state of Odisha, about 35 kilometers northeast of Puri city. The temple is considered a masterpiece of Kalingan temple architecture and a pinnacle of Hindu Orissan architecture. It's also known as Surya Deula or Surya Deul.
The temple is designed to look like a giant stone chariot with 12 pairs of wheels, seven horses, and 24 carved wheels that are about 3 meters in diameter. The wheels are decorated with symbolic designs and motifs that represent the seasons and months, as well as human behavior. The temple also features sculptures that depict contemporary life and activities, as well as secular events like royal hunts and military scenes.
King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty is thought to have built the temple around 1250 CE. In 1984, UNESCO named the temple a World Heritage Site.
The temple is open every day from 6 AM–8 PM. Some say it's a great place for art and archaeology lovers, and that the nearby beach is clean and not too crowded.
