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Orissa About Orissa Places to Visit   Konark   Konark The Black Pagoda Scenes from Life Climate and Clothing Getting there Where to stay What to see Festivals Worshipping the Sun God Legends say that Samba, the son of Lord Krishna, was afflicted by leprosy because of a curse by his father. After a penance of 12 years, Samba was cured by Surya, the Sun God, in whose honour he built this temple. The Black Pagoda Dedicated to the divine charioteer, Surya, the Sun Temple is a magnificent example of ancient Orissan temple and architecture. Built in the 13th century AD, it was visualised as a chariot for the Sun God for his daily celestial journey. It was built in the image of the chariot with seven horses (seven days of the week) and 12 pairs of wheels (12 months). Only a small portion of the original massive temple, the entrance hall (39 m in height) the Dancing Hall and a ruined temple remain. The word Konark is derived from two word elements - KONA means Corner and ARK means the Sun. The temple is also called the Black Pagoda. Scenes from Life Every aspect of life is shown here, and the erotic imagery, depicts the sublimation of human love manifested in countless forms. Scenes from court, civic life and war are also done in detail. The entrance is reached by a broad flight of steps, flanked on either side by prancing horses, the whole representing the chariot, in which the Sun-God rides across the heavens. The court of the temple, was decorated with large free-standing sculptures of great strength and beauty. Now protected under the World Heritage List, the temple's interior was filled - up in 1903 A.D., by the then British Lt. Governor of Bengal, to save it from deterioration. Travel Information Climate Summer (Mar. to Jun.):   Warm Winter ( Nov. To Feb.):   Mildly warm and pleasant Clothing Summer-Cottons Winter-Woollens Getting There Konark is connected by road to Bhubaneswar (65 km) and Puri (35 km). The nearest airport is Bhubaneswar. The nearest railhead is Puri. Where to Stay Panthaniwas, Labanya Lodge, Ashoka Travellers' Lodge. Festivals •  The Chandrabhaga Mela in February on the beach. •  The Konark Dance Festival - In the Open air Auditorium north of the Sun Temple, in the first     week of December.