Question

In which state is the sun temple of Konark located?
a. Tamil Nadu
b. Gujarat
c. Madhya Pradesh
d. Odisha

Answer 1

Hint:
The temple is famous for its impressive Kalinga architecture, which depicts a 100-foot-tall chariot pulled by a horse and wheel carved from a single piece of stone. The monument depicts the majestic chariot of the sun god.


Complete step by step solution:

Sun temple: The temple is famous for its impressive Karinga architecture, which depicts a 100-foot-tall chariot pulled by a horse and wheel carved from a single piece of stone. The monument depicts the majestic chariot of the sun god. This temple was built by Khondalite rock. The 230-foot-high sanctuary no longer exists. The 128-foot-high auditorium, dance hall, and restaurant still survive.

There are 24 exquisitely designed wheels, 12 feet in diameter, and the wheels being led by the horse can be seen. The seven horses represent a week, the wheels represent 12 months, and the day is symbolized by the eight spokes in the wheels. The entire description explains how time is controlled by the sun-this is an example of Surya in Indian mythology traveling from the east under the escort of his chariot, Aruna. The walls of the temple are decorated with reliefs-intricate carvings of various statues, including Hindu gods, images of everyday mortal life, birds, animals and more. This temple also has erotic sculptures on the shikhara in its Tantric tradition. The wheels of the temple can be used as day di and can predict the time well.


Hence, the correct answer is option D.

Note:
Konark Sun Temple was built in the 13th century and dedicated to the Hindu sun god Surya. The temple is said to be the relic of King Narasimha Dewa I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty. Another theory is that Lord Krishna Samba’s son was cured of a disease by Lord Sun, so in his memory, Lord Krishna Samba built this temple.