---
title: "Konark Sun Temple: Kalinga Chariot of Sūrya | Model Diplomat"
description: "The Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century Odisha temple built as Sūrya's stone chariot, UNESCO-listed in 1984 and a recurring UPSC GS1 art-and-culture topic."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/konark-sun-temple"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- The Konark Sun Temple is a 13th-century Kalinga-style temple in Odisha, conceived as a colossal stone chariot of the sun god Sūrya and inscribed by UNESCO in 1984.
- Who built the Konark Sun Temple and when?
- Why is the temple designed as a chariot?
- What architectural style does Konark represent?
- Why is the main sanctuary tower missing today?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

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In September 2023, India placed a replica of the Konark Sun Temple wheel behind the leaders' handshake area at the G20 summit in New Delhi, using the monument as the event's signature visual of Indian heritage.

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