Follow the rainbow across the scintillating sea shore at Konarkto the magnificent portals of a temple. .

Thirty five km. to the north-east of Puri is the World Heritage Monument, the Sun Temple of Konark.Twelve hundred craftsmen had toiled hard for 12 long years to erect this monumental wonder where 12 year's revenue was spent. Modeled after the floating chariot of the mythical Sun God, with twelve pairs of exquisitely carved stone wheels and seven galloping horses, the temple is a quintessence of imaginative craftsmanship of ancient Orissa. . And the kings, queens, generals, foot soldiers, sages, priests, elephants, horses, courtiers and courtesans depicted on the walls and the panels with finesse open a window to the nostalgic times of medieval Orissa.
Replete with figures of dancers andmusicians, the Natamandir(Hall of Dance), a detached part of the temple is a complete lexicon of Odisi Dance. As a fitting tribute to the immortal artisans of this amaging edifice, Orissa Tourism organizes a Dance Festival from 1st to 5th December every year.

The annual Konark Festival, which is held in an open air auditorium with the temple as the backdrop, showcases a magical parade of India's classical and traditional dance forms. Eminent dancers and their troupe delight visitors in the wintry evening of early December with dramatic choreographies..

Besides, the dance performances, the visitors are treated, to an Artist Camp, and a Craft Mela(Handicrafts Fair). Sand Art exhibition is an aditional attraction during the festival. .

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Click here for Konark Festival 2010's Programme List & Festival Photos.
Click here for Konark Festival 2009's Photographs.

How to Reach -

By Air : Nearest Airport is Bhubaneswar- 65 kms.

By Rail : Nearest railway station is Bhubaneswar 65 kms. And Puri 35 kms.

By Road : Connected by National Hithway from Bhubaneswar – 65 kms. Via Pipili and Puri (35 kms.) on Marine Drive.

Where to Stay -

Comfortable and economical accommodation arrangements can be availed at Konark (STD code-06758).

The list of the hotels are here :

Hotel's Name & Address Hotel's Name & Address Panthanivas, OTDC, Konark Dist: Puri, Ph.- 236831 Travellers Lodge,OTDC, Konark, Ph- 236820 Yatrinivas, At/P.O.-Konark. Dist. Puri, Ph.- 236820 Labanya Lodge, Konark, Ph.- 236430 Banita Lodge, Konark. Ph.- 236491 Tarini Lodge, Konark, Ph.- 236857 Hotel Sunrise, Konark Konark Lodge, Konark, Ph.- 236502 Royal Lodge, Konark, Ph.- 236818 Aristo Lodge, Konark. Bijoy Lodge, Konark, Ph.- 236748 Open Air Auditorium,(Sun villa) Konark.

Excursions -

* Distance from Konark

Chaurasi (30 km)* - Here one can visit the shrines of Amareswar, Laxminarayan and Barahi at Chaurasi. Barahi is the Mother Goddess with the face of a boar. Pot-bellied, she holds a fish in one hand and a cup in the other. The deity belongs to 9th century A.D. and is worshipped according to tantric practices.

Astaranga (32km)* - Right on the sea-shore. Astaranga presents a panoramic view especially during sunset on a multi-colored horizon as if to justify the literal meaning of its name. It is a centre of fishing and the site of an exquisitely appealing and tranquil beachfront.

Kakatpur (20 km)* - Situated on the Prachi Valley, Kakatpur is famous for housing the shrine of Goddess Mangala Ritualistically, Goddess Mangala related to Lord Jagannath during his Nabakalevara (change of the deities to new image). The direction for locating the holly-log which forms the icon of the Lord is believed to come from Her. `Jhamu Yatra`, celebrated in the month on Chaitra (April - May) is the major festival here. The special attraction of the festival is walking of the devotees over a narrow trench containing lightened embers. In the Natamandir of Goddess Mangala there is a big bell on which `Grace 15th May 1527` is inscribed in English. It is not known how this bell come here. Regular bus services are available from Puri, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.

Coming soon.........