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Konark, also known as the city of ‘Natya Mandir’ or the ‘temple of dance’ is a small town located in the state of Orissa. It is an important tourist destination and houses the famous Sun temple, dedicated to Lord Surya.
It is most recognized for the famous Sun Temple which is regarded as a World Heritage Site, and is designed in the shape of a chariot of Lord Surya (Sun God), which is drawn by seven horses. The temple was built in the 13th century by King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty. While moving around Konark, one can witness erotic human beings and sculptures on the walls of the temple.
Another popular place in Konark is the beach, which attracts a number of tourists here. The temples and beaches combined make Konark an interesting place to visit and one can experience the unique sense of historical involvement along with the scenic beauty around. One can also shop for exotic and beautiful pieces of the handicrafts in Konark. Seashell items and handicrafts are quite popular in Konark.
History of Konark
The history of Konark is related to the legend of Samba, Lord Krishna’s son. According to an old legend, Samba, who was very arrogant about his beauty and disregarded the great sage, Narada. Narada as a result, tricked Samba and lured him close to the lake where his step mothers were bathing. When Lord Krishna came to know about this, he was very angry with his son and cursed him with leprosy. Later, when the real picture came in front of him, he asked Samba to worship the Sun God who is the healer of all diseases. After worshipping Lord Surya for twelve years, he finally appeared and told Samba to take a dip in Konark. This relieved him of his curse for leprosy and he built a temple here, dedicated to Lord Surya.
Special attractions in and around Konark
- The Sun Temple : This temple was built in the 13th century by Raja Narasimha Deva and is dedicated to Lord Shiva
- The Sun Temple Museum : This museum houses an excellent collection of sculptures from the ruins of old temples and is maintained by the archaeological survey of India.
- Konark beach
- Chandrabhaga beach: Close to the Sun Temple of Konark is the lovely quiet beach - of Chandrabhaga about 3-km from the temple.
- Konark Dance Festival: Dance has always been an integral part of worship in Orissa..
Best Time to Visit Konark
Konark is accessible throughout the year but the best season to visit is between October and March when the weather is pleasant.
Location
State: Orissa
District: Puri
Distance of Konark from nearest cities: Bhubaneswar, which is 65 kilometers from Konark and Puri, which is 35 kilometers from Konark are the nearest cities.
How to reach Konark
Nearest airport: The nearest airport is Bhubaneswar, 65 km away which is connected to Calcutta, Delhi, Madras and other airports.
Nearest railway station: The nearest rail head is Puri, which is well connected to other parts of the country.
Directions by road from nearby cities: Konark is well connected by road from Puri and Bhubaneswar.
Tourism Department
Tourist Office
Konark-752111
Ph: 91-06758- 36821
Climatic Conditions
Konark experiences tropical climate with high temperatures in the summers and pleasant weather in the winters.
Clothing
Light cotton clothes in summers and light woolens in winters are recommended
Tourist attractions near Konark
- Ramachandi (7 km)
- Beleswar: This is another tourist destination which is located around 20 kilometers from Konark.
- Balighai: This beach is located 25 km away and has a research centre dedicated to the protection of the sea turtle.
- Kurum: Eight km away, Kurum is a small village known for the excavations relating to Buddhist architecture.
- Kakatapur: 25 Km from the Sun temple is the shrine of Goddess Mangala on river Prachi.
- Chaurasi
This article was contributed by Abhay Tandon
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