Time has not been kind to most of the structures our ancestors built. We consider ourselves lucky if we can discover the ruins of once great civilizations. We still marvel at these destroyed buildings, but we often feel a slight regret at not being able to see a structure in its full glory. You experience all these kinds of things when you first see the Konark Temple. Except that remorse is only a fraction of the overall feeling of wonder the temple will impress upon you. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Located in the eastern province of Odisha, the Konark Temple was the place of worship of the Hindu sun god, Surya. The temple was thought to have been completed in 1250 AD What makes the Konark Temple unique, apart from its immense size, is its chariot shape which you can still observe even though most parts of the temple have already been ruined . Hindu pilgrims throng the temple every February for the Chandrabhaga Mela. There are also some tourists exploring the temple. But it can still be considered a route off the beaten track. To get there, you need to travel to the nearest town, Puri. Buses ply regularly on the Puri-Konark route. The approximate travel time is one hour and the usual bus fare is 30 rupees, which is no more than 1 USD. You can also take a taxi from Puri to Konark for 1,500 rupees or $22. Finally, one option is to take the tourist bus tours offered by Odisha Tourism Development. If you depart from Bhubaneswar, fares are usually 355 rupees or $6. From Puri it will cost you 510 rupees or $8. Choose this option if you plan to see other tourist attractions as the tours are combined with other amazing places you can see. For locals, entrance fees are 30 rupees ($1) while they are 500 rupees or $7 for foreigners. The temple is open from dawn to dusk and many visitors visit very early to watch the sunrise. The themes you will see in the Konark temple revolve around the worship of the sun god and the architecture of Orissan. Not only is the entire shape of the temple that of a chariot, but you can see twelve carved wheels pulled by horses. This motif is said to represent the sun god as he ascends into the sky and travels during the day. Some say the 12 wheels are symbols of the time of day since the wheels have bars that can act as sundials. The shadows cast by the wheel give the time of day. Others also say that the 12 wheels may represent the months of the year and that there are seven horses for each day of the week. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay As you enter the temple, you will notice two lions guarding the structure followed by two horses. When you go deeper, you will be amazed at the level of detail that has been put into adorning the temple through carvings and sculptures. If you follow the path from the main entrance, you will find yourself in the ballroom. Pay close attention to the divine and semi-divine beings sculpted in various dance poses. To better appreciate the temple, hire a temple guide and hear both the history and mysteries of the temple for 100 rupees. If you visit at night, make sure you don't miss the sound and light show which takes place every 7pm for just 50 rupees. This gem in Odisha is something not to be missed.