Sun Temple, Konark
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Overview
The Sun Temple at Konark in Odisha was inscribed as a cultural World Heritage Site in 1984.
It was built in the 13th century by the Eastern Ganga king Narasimhadeva I and is designed as the chariot of the Sun god with 24 carved wheels drawn by seven horses.
The temple is a high point of the Kalinga style; European sailors called it the Black Pagoda.
A Konark wheel is shown on the ₹10 note, and the temple was inscribed as a World Heritage Site in 1984.
The temple faces east.
It is in Puri district.
The main tower has collapsed.
A dance festival is held here.
Geography and key facts
- Odisha
- Cultural World Heritage Site, 1984
- Narasimhadeva I (Eastern Ganga)
- 24 wheels, seven horses
- Black Pagoda; WHS 1984
Why it matters for UPSC
Appeared in a 2006 general-knowledge question on an airline's redesigned logo.
Note for UPSC
Cultural World Heritage Site, inscribed 1984 · Odisha.
UPSC asks about the state, the dynasty or period, and whether a site is cultural or natural.
Asked in PYQs
- UPSC Prelims 2006 · Q82Indian Airlines (now renamed ‘Indian’) have redesigned their logo which is a graphic wheel. This logo has been inspired from which one of the following?…
Questions from our Prelims bank whose text names Sun Temple, Konark.
Key facts
- Type
- World Heritage Site
- State / UT
- Odisha
- Heritage type
- Cultural
- Inscribed (UNESCO)
- 1984
- Coordinates
- 19.887°N, 86.095°E
- Asked in Prelims
- 1 question · 2006
From the Map Explorer data; positions are for orientation.
In the lessons
- Indian Architecture and Temple Styles (map lesson)
- Performing Arts, Paintings and Heritage (map lesson)
- Hindu Temple Architecture: Nagara, Dravida and Vesara (map lesson)
- Indo-Islamic, Mughal and Colonial Architecture (map lesson)
- Mughal Culture: Architecture, Painting, Literature and Music (map lesson)
More world heritage sites nearby
Other places in Odisha
All world heritage sites · Revision list · Most asked in PYQs