The temple of the Sun at Konark is magnificent in its construction. It has been known for the supreme achievement of the architectural genius of Orissa. Situated about twenty miles northeast of Puri in Orissa, this temple is a result of the continuous development for centuries. The temple was built, during the reign of the eastern Ganga King Narasimha Deva I (1238-1264). The name of the place `Konark` is derived from Konarka, the presiding deity of the Sun Temple. The temple is dedicated to the sun God and its entire appearance is conceived of as a rath, giving the name `Temple on Wheels`. The entire temple is designed to achieve the shape of a colossal chariot with seven horses and twenty-four wheels, for the Sun god, carrying him across the heavens.

The base of the temple is formed with an immense terrace with twenty-four giant wheels; each one is around 10 feet high, on either side. Therefore, the temple is constructed on the raised platform & the actual temple building is erected in two conjoined parts. The natmandir and the bhogmandir are constructed as separate structures, but enclosed within a courtyard measuring of 865 ft. by 540 ft. The masterpieces of Hindu art show the presence of Hindu God and Goddess in its expressions. The carving with minute details and attributions of them can be said as the characteristic of the art. The rath of the Sun God is drawn by seven carved structures of horses straining their necks at the back in order to pull the massive chariot. The dynamism and mobility that is gained in these sculptured animal figures are striking to a large extent.

The most of the excellent appearance and vitality of the structure are due to the roof in pyramidal style with its three tiers and sculptured figures. The sculpture that embellishes the outer surfaces of this architectural masterpiece is equally exquisite in its luxuriance and also employs many techniques of invention than the vast structure itself. The exterior part of temple structure is chiseled and molded with either using abstract designs, or fantastic human and animal forms. The sculptors, hence, have tried their best to use every motif and subject known to the Indian mind in the theme of carvings. All the artwork of the sculptures has been executed in hard stone guarantying its preservation. It displays a rarely encountered exuberance of mood and appearance in the architecture. From designs to design, the technique of carving with minute precision also varies. For the vigorous groups modeled on massive scale employ repetitive structures.

Much of the relief work found on the outer walls of the temple at Konark has erotic sculptures. Many are of opinion that such erotic sculptures are of indicative of the emergence of a phase the "tantrikism in Hinduism" at that time. At this temple an exotic sculptures through what is known as, the Maithuna ritual is depicted in the carvings of the temple. The Sun temple of Konark is sculptured with loving couples, engaged in some of ingenious amatory postures. These postures are actually drawn from the Kamasutra. The proportion of figures & shapes is the feature of these erotic sculptures too. The re-discovery among the ruins at the place, of some extraordinary erotic sculpture at the Sun temple was equally sensational issue.

The massive structure of the temple, though now in ruin condition, sits in solitary splendor surrounded by the drifting sands. The huge wheels carved with intricate design of the rathas are the major attractions in the entire architecture of the place. The spikes of these huge & artistic wheels serve as sundials and with the help of the shadows formed by these wheels, one can be informed with the precise time of the day. The pyramidal roof of the temple adds in the glory of the architectural beauty is made from the sandstone & soars over 30 m in height. The sculptures carved on walls of the temple is accompanying a brilliant chronicle in stone, with thousands of images including deities, the surasundaris, which were known as heavenly damsels, and human musicians, lovers, dancers. It also depicts different scenes that reveal around the courtly life.