File:1890 photo Left half of west facade and roof of the mandapa of the Konarak Surya Temple or Black Pagoda.jpg

English: From the source, Photograph of the left half of the west façade and roof of the mandapa of the Surya Temple or Black Pagoda in Konark from the Archaeological Survey of India Collections, taken by William Henry Cornish in c. 1890. The Surya Temple at Konarak was constructed by king Narasimha of the Eastern Ganga dynasty in 1240 circa. This colossal temple complex was too heavy for the friable soil on which it was built and the 70 metres shikhara covering the sanctum collapsed in 1837 as well as the roof of the dance pavilion. Only the jagamohana survived with its large pyramidal roof rising in three tiers decorated with sculptures of musicians, dancers and maidens. This view shows its façade and part of the roof. The temple is conceived as a colossal processional chariot of the Sun with 12 pairs of carved wheels, drawn by 7 rearing horses.