Konark Puri

Facts & Figures
Location : About 65 km from Bhubaneswar, near the sacred city of Puri, is the great Sun Temple of Konark.
Language : Oriya, Hindi and considerable percentage of people speak English.
Best time to visit : Through out the year
Climate : Moderate, but humid

Konark
The temple is dedicated to the Sun God or Surya Deva. The magnificent Sun Temple is the prime attraction of Konark. Probably constructed by Narashimhadev I in the mid-13th century is designed in the form of huge chariot. The temple is a masterpiece of Orissa's medieval architecture and has been designated a United Nations (UNESCO) World Heritage Site. The huge structure in the shape of chariot, now in ruins, sits in loneliness on the bed drifting sands.

The temple's vicinity forms the venue for a dance festival every year. The Konark Dance Festival, as it is called, attracts a large number of tourists every year. The dance festival is a virtual feast to the lovers of the classical dance and music.

Coming to Konark
By Air : The nearest airport, Bhubaneswar, is 64 km away. The airport is connected with Calcutta, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai and Nagpur.
By Rail : The nearest railheads to Konark are Puri (31 km) and Bhubaneswar (64 km). Both the cities are connected by rail with all the major places in India.
By Road : Konark is well connected by National Highway and State Highway with Puri, Bhubaneswar and all the major places in Orissa.

Check In
Konark has the ideal accommodation option for those coming to Konark. There are a number of luxury hotels, economy hotels and budget hotels in Konark. You may choose from any of the star hotels in Konark too.

Get Absorbed In
Sun Temple : The Sun Temple is the prime attraction of Konark. The temple is dedicated to Surya, the Sun God, and is designed in the form of his huge chariot.

Mayadevi Temple : To the south-west of the temple, behind the sanctuary, are the remains of the Mayadevi temple. The temple was thought to be dedicated to one of the Surya's wives but now is now believed to be an older Surya Temple.

Archaeological Museum : The Archaeological Museum contains many sculptures and carvings found during the temple excavations. The museum is open throughout the week except Friday.

Konark Beach
Three kilometres away from the temple is the Konark beach. You can either walk down or hire a bicycle or cycle-rickshaw to reach the beach. A walk along the beach is a pleasant experience.

Not to Overlook - Attractions
Konark Dance Festival: A dance festival is held in an open-air theatre built near the Sun Temple every year in the month of December. Known as the Konark dance festival, the event brings together eminent classical dancers of India who perform various dance forms like Odissi, Bharatnatyam, Manipuri, Kathak and Chhow.