The famous Konark Sun Temple, often simply called the Sun Temple, is located in which state of India?

Introduction / Context:
India has several temples dedicated to the Sun, but one of the most famous is the Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Questions about its location are common in competitive exams, tourism related discussions and cultural studies. This question checks whether the learner can correctly identify the Indian state in which this iconic Sun Temple stands, linking art history, architecture and geography.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question refers specifically to the famous Sun Temple at Konark, not to any other lesser known sun shrines.
• All options are names of Indian states.
• Only one of these states actually contains the Konark Sun Temple complex.
• No knowledge of exact district or town is required, only the correct state name.

Concept / Approach:
The Konark Sun Temple is located in the state of Odisha on the eastern coast of India. It is renowned for its chariot like structure with intricately carved stone wheels and panels. The approach to solving this question is to recall that Konark lies near the city of Puri and the state capital Bhubaneswar, both of which are in Odisha. The other options refer to states that have important temples and coastal sites but not this specific Sun Temple.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that the phrase famous Sun Temple usually points to the Konark Sun Temple. Step 2: Recall that Konark lies on the coast of the Bay of Bengal and is part of the cultural circuit often described as the golden triangle of Bhubaneswar, Puri and Konark. Step 3: Note that this cultural triangle is located in the state of Odisha, which was formerly known as Orissa. Step 4: Check each option and confirm that Odisha is the eastern coastal state associated with Konark. Step 5: Conclude that Odisha is the only correct answer among the given options.

Verification / Alternative check:
Looking at an Indian tourist map or heritage list, Konark Sun Temple is clearly shown in Odisha. It is often paired with Jagannath Temple at Puri and Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar, both in the same state. There is a Sun Temple at Modhera in Gujarat, but that one is specifically called Modhera Sun Temple and is distinct from Konark. This cross check confirms Odisha as the correct state for the famous Konark Sun Temple.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Gujarat does have the Modhera Sun Temple, but that is not the temple commonly referred to simply as the Sun Temple in most national level questions. Rajasthan is known for forts and palaces such as those in Jaipur and Udaipur, but it is not the location of Konark Sun Temple. Tamil Nadu is famous for many Dravidian style temples, yet Konark is not situated there. None of these states match the specific site of Konark on the Odisha coast.

Common Pitfalls:
Many students confuse Konark with Modhera and select Gujarat because they remember a Sun Temple in that state. Others may guess Tamil Nadu due to its rich temple architecture without noting the specific name Konark. To avoid such errors, it helps to remember that Odisha is strongly associated with three iconic religious destinations in one circuit: Bhubaneswar, Puri and Konark. Linking the temple to this triad keeps the correct state firmly in mind.

Final Answer:
Correct answer: Odisha