Konark Sun Temple

The Konark Sun Temple is a famous 13th-century temple dedicated to the Hindu sun god Surya, located in the coastal town of Konark in the Indian state of Odisha. The temple is also known as the Black Pagoda, due to its black stone construction, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Konark Sun Temple was built by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty in the 13th century. It is designed in the form of a giant chariot with 24 wheels, pulled by seven horses, representing the seven days of the week. The temple was designed to symbolize the movement of the sun across the sky, with the chariot wheels representing the sun's movement and the horses representing the days of the week.

The temple is known for its impressive stone carvings and sculptures, including intricate depictions of gods, goddesses, and animals. The temple's main sanctum was designed to capture the first rays of the sun at dawn, and it was believed that the sun god Surya would bless the temple and its visitors with his rays.