Konark

The 13th-century Sun Temple — built in black granite during the reign of Narasinghadeva I and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site — dominates this coastal town in Odisha on the Bay of Bengal. Conceived as a colossal stone chariot for the sun god, with twelve pairs of carved wheels and seven horses, the temple is largely in ruins, with surviving sculptures housed in the on-site Sun Temple Museum. Konark also hosts an annual classical dance and music festival and an International Sand Art Festival at Chandrabhaga Beach.

• Population16,834
• Nearest water from center 4.4 km2.7 mi