INDIAN GEOGRAPHY

Detailed explanation-1: -One of the most splendid temples dedicated to Surya is the 13th-century Surya Deula (“Sun Temple”), once called the Black Pagoda, at Konark, in Odisha. There the whole structure is conceived as a chariot on wheels in which the Sun god rides across the heavens pulled by prancing horses.

Detailed explanation-2: -On the shores of the Bay of Bengal, bathed in the rays of the rising sun, the temple at Konarak is a monumental representation of the sun god Surya’s chariot; its 24 wheels are decorated with symbolic designs and it is led by a team of six horses.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Konark Sun Temple was built in 1250 CE during the reign of the Eastern Ganga King Narsimhadeva-1 from stone in the form of a giant ornamented chariot dedicated to the Sun god, Surya.

Detailed explanation-4: -The Konark temple structure mimics the chariot of Surya, the Sun god. It has seven stone horses to depict the seven horses that pull the sun’s chariot. The 12 wheels symbolise the 12 months in a year.

Detailed explanation-5: -The name Konârka is derived from the Sanskrit word Kona (meaning angle) and word Arka (meaning sun) in reference to the temple which was dedicated to the Sun god Surya.