About Konark
Konark is a medium town in the Puri district in the state of Odisha, India. It lies on the coast by the Bay of Bengal, 60 kilometers from the capital of the state, Bhubaneswar. It is the site of the 7th-century Sun Temple, famous for its 13th century temple, dedicated to Sun God. It is also known as the Black Pagoda, built in black granite during the reign of Narasimhadeva-I(1238-1250 CE) of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty.
Konark Temple was designed in the form of a gorgeously decorated chariot mounted on 24 wheels, each about 10 feet in diameter, and drawn by 7 mighty horses.
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.
Being a coastal destination, the weather in Konark is the most pleasant during winters. The best time to visit this place is during the months of September-March. Summers are very hot and humid and should be avoided.
The temple was subsequently listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.