The Konark Sun Temple: a chariot of stone and the secret of its wheels
Built in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva I as the Sun's chariot with 24 wheels and 7 horses — the wheels that tell the time and the "Black Pagoda".
Rohit Tandon · 23 October 2026 · 4 min read
Standing near the sea coast of Odisha, the Konark Sun Temple is not just a temple but a giant chariot carved in stone — the chariot of the Sun god, drawn by seven horses. Its carving is so fine and so vast that it is counted among the greatest marvels of Indian temple architecture. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.
Konark at a glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Where | Konark, Puri district, Odisha |
| Built by | King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty |
| When | About 1250 CE |
| Dedicated to | Surya, the Sun god |
| Chariot | 24 wheels (12 pairs) and 7 horses |
| Honour | UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 |
The meaning of the name
"Konark" is made of two words — "kona", meaning corner, and "arka", meaning the Sun. So it means "the corner of the Sun", or the Sun's place. This temple dedicated to the Sun is a sign of how important Sun worship was in ancient India — read about the science of the Sun in Interesting facts about the Sun.
The secret of the 24 wheels
Twelve huge wheels are carved on each side of the temple, 24 in all, each about 3 metres across. They are believed to stand for the 12 months or the 24 fortnights of the year, and the seven horses for the seven days of the week. The most interesting thing is that the wheels also work as sundials. Each wheel has 8 thick and 8 thin spokes. When sunlight falls on it, the time of day can be told quite precisely from the shadows of the spokes.
Did you know? The Konark wheel has become a symbol of India. The back of the new ₹10 note issued in 2018 shows the Konark Sun Temple, and at the G20 summit in Delhi in 2023, world leaders were welcomed against the backdrop of the Konark wheel.
Why the "Black Pagoda"?
In the old days European sailors passing by sea used tall temples on the coast to find their way. They called the Konark temple, built of dark stone, the "Black Pagoda", while the Jagannath temple at Puri, painted with white lime, was the "White Pagoda".
Konark today
The temple's main sanctum and its tall tower, believed to have been about 70 metres high, fell centuries ago. The grand building we see today is actually the "jagamohana", the assembly hall. In 1903 the British filled it with sand and sealed it to keep it from collapsing. Thousands of fine sculptures of gods and goddesses, dancers, musicians, elephants, hunting scenes and daily life are carved on its walls. Folk tales say it was built by 1,200 craftsmen in 12 years, but this is a tradition, not firm historical evidence.
The Konark Dance Festival
Every year in early December, the "Konark Dance Festival" is held on an open-air stage near the temple, with performances of Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Kathak and other classical dances. Living dancers in front of dancers in stone — it is a beautiful sight. Read more about Indian culture in Interesting facts about Indian culture. A festival of Sun worship: Chhath Puja.
Key points
- The Konark Sun Temple is in Odisha and was built around 1250.
- It was built by the Eastern Ganga king Narasimhadeva I.
- The temple is shaped like the Sun's chariot — 24 wheels and 7 horses.
- Its wheels tell the time like sundials.
- The new ₹10 note shows the Konark temple.
Frequently asked questions
Who built the Konark Sun Temple?
King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, around 1250 CE.
Why is the Konark temple called the "Black Pagoda"?
European sailors called it the Black Pagoda because of its dark colour, while the Jagannath temple at Puri was called the "White Pagoda".
More articles: History · History questions.
Sources
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