Question

Which of the following temple has acquired the name of the Black Pagoda?
(A) Sun Temple
(B) Lingaraj Temple
(C) Bhuvaneshwari Temple
(D) Jagannath Deva Temple

Answer 1

Hint: It is a 13th-century Hindu temple situated in Odisha. Since 1984, it has been a World Heritage Site of UNESCO. The King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty constructed the temple.

Complete answer: It is the Konark Sun Temple which is known as the Black Pagoda. It is dedicated to the Hindu Sun God, Surya and is a classic monument of unique Kalinga medieval architecture. It is also known by the name Surya Devalaya. The temple is constructed with stone in the form of a chariot driven by seven horses and on 12 pairs of ornamented and decorated wheels which is a hundred feet high. The seven horses indicate the seven days of the week, whereas the 12 pairs of wheels denote the 12 months of the year. Complex artwork, iconography and themes are seen in the structures of the Sun Temple. The word Konark is a blend of two words ‘Kona’ and ‘Arka’. Since Kona means corner and Arka means sun when it is combined, it has the meaning ‘sun of the corner’.

Option (A): The Konark Sun Temple was used as a navigational point by European sailors during earlier times. Because of its magnetic power that drew ships to the shores and often resulted in shipwrecks as well as a dark colour, and a great tower-like appearance, the temple acquired the name of Black Pagoda. This is the correct option.
Option (B): Lingaraja Temple is one of the oldest Hindu temples in Bhubaneswar in Odisha which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This option is thus incorrect.
Option (C): There are many temples dedicated to Bhuvaneshwari Devi and famous of them are the temple of Bhuvaneshwari Devi at Gondal in Gujarat, the temple at Badami in Karnataka and the temple at Jamshedpur at a place known as Telco. This is not the correct option.
Option (D): It is in Puri in the state of Odisha, the Hindu temple, Shree Jagannath Deva Temple dedicated to Jagannath, a form of Vishnu is located. This option is incorrect.
Hence the option (A) is correct.

Note: Martand Sun Temple in Jammu & Kashmir, Deo Surya Mandir in Bihar, Sun Temple at Modhera in Gujarat, Dakshinaarka Temple at Gaya are some of the major sun temples in India. While Konark Sun Temple is called the Black Pagoda, the temple that is known as White Pagoda is the Jagannath Temple in Puri.