A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Konark Sun temple is a striking model of ancient artistry, fluidity of ideas, and a pedagogic treasury. Dedicated to the sun god, Surya, the first rays of the sun fall on the entrance of the temple. Much of the temple has fallen into rack and ruin but what remains still holds enough charm to captivate. An interpretation of a greater imagination, it has seen empires rise and fall, identities washed away, yet appealing to our sensorium even today. Konark Sun Temple Information Believed to have been built in the 13th century CE the temple was built by the King Narasimhadeva I hailing from the Eastern Ganga dynasty between 1238-1250 CE. The temple was commissioned by the king while Samantaraya Mahapatra was the one in charge of its construction. ‘Konark’ means the sun and the four corners. The temple was called Black Pagoda attributing to its dark facade by the Europeans who used it for navigation for their ships. It is said that the temple could draw ships to
Our world is filled with indescribable beauty and places to go, both human-made and natural, and it’s hard to say whether a single lifetime would indeed be enough to experience all of it. Most of us will probably never see everything that the world has to offer us, places to see around the world that are definitely worth adding to your bucket list of best vacation spots. Some consider travel to be a luxury or even an unnecessary burden, while others believe it to be vitally important to living a fulfilled life. Still, others don’t even have the opportunity to make that decision. But if you are afflicted with a case of wanderlust, you know that seeing the most beautiful places to visit can be a profoundly moving and valuable experience. My personal favorite is ecological tourism – climbing mountains, exploring deserts or in merely drinking in the sights of the countryside. However, you can’t deny the appeal of some of the human-made structures as well – from the epic, ancient grandeur