The epic in stone (13th century AD), this temple was built on the sea front with water lashing its walls but now the sea has receded and the temple is a little away from the beach. The temple stands upon its enormous 24 intricately carved wheels. The walls of this magnificent ruin have exquisite sculptures covering many aspects of life. Scenes of love and war, trade and court transactions, hunting, catching elephants, sages teaching, childbirth, dancers and mythical figures, all vie for attention on the panels and niches of this immortal work of art. The temple conceived as a chariot hauling the Sun God, across the heavens by the might of seven splendidly carved horses caught in the mute symphony of stone, lies in partial ruins. The Natamandira, a separate enclosure, is till intact. The temple was built by King Narasimha of the Ganga dynasty in the 13th century AD. The Sun God's chariot also represents the seven days of the week and the 24 hours of the day in its concept.

This temple was once the Black Pagoda to maritime visitors to Orissa in ancient time. The temple museum of the Archaeological Survey of India has some rare collection of sculptures from the ruins of the main temple. Today the temple is protected by UNESCO as a World heritage site.