In which temple there are three idols of God Surya ?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 4:
The correct option is Konark because the Konark Sun Temple in Odisha is the definitive example of a structure explicitly designed around the worship and various forms of God Surya, the Sun God. Built in the 13th century, the temple is conceived as a colossal stone chariot with 12 pairs of wheels drawn by seven horses. A unique and significant feature of its architecture is the presence of three major, beautifully carved idols of the Sun God placed on the northern, southern, and western exterior walls of the *Jagamohana* (assembly hall). These three figures represent the different stages of the Sun's journey through the day and its philosophical association with the Hindu Trinity: the Morning Sun (*Prabhata Surya*/Brahma - the Creator), the Mid-day Sun (*Madhyana Surya*/Maheshwara - the Destroyer), and the Evening Sun (*Astachala Surya*/Vishnu - the Preserver).

The incorrect option is 1:
Ellora is a World Heritage Site renowned for its rock-cut cave temples, which include Buddhist, Hindu, and Jain monuments carved between the 6th and 10th centuries. While it hosts a vast array of sculptures, including the massive Kailasa Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, the complex's primary iconographic focus is diverse, mainly on Shaivism, not the sole dedication to Surya with a three-idol representation. There is no specific temple at Ellora known for housing the three distinct, stage-of-the-day Surya idols as found at Konark. The caves contain diverse Hindu sculptures, but the three idols of Surya as a central theme is specific to Konark.

The incorrect option is 2:
The Elephanta Caves, located near Mumbai, are famous for their rock-cut temples, which are predominantly dedicated to Lord Shiva. The most celebrated sculpture is the colossal *Maheshamurti* or *Trimurti*, a three-faced image of Shiva representing the Creator, Preserver, and Destroyer aspects of the deity. The focus of the temple is distinctly Shaivite, showcasing the glory of Shiva. The site is a major center for Shaivism and does not contain a temple dedicated to the Sun God with a triad of Surya idols representing the phases of the day.

The incorrect option is 3:
Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) is a collection of 7th and 8th-century Pallava monuments in Tamil Nadu, including rock-cut caves, monolithic temples (Rathas), and structural temples like the Shore Temple. These temples are primarily dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. While the site is a marvel of early Dravidian architecture and sculpture, the major iconographic programs here center on Pallava kingly power and various Puranic deities. It is not associated with a temple that features the distinct three-idol representation of God Surya as its central architectural and iconographic concept, which is the specific signature of the Konark temple.