Konark, the city of 'Natya Mandir' (temple of dance), situated at the eastern coast of Bay of Bengal. The city is only 35 kms. from Puri, it shares all its equal climatic conditions and is an oft visited tourist destination.
The Sun Temple at Konark with its fantastic loneliness on the wind swept sand dunes of the Bay of Bengal fringed with palm and casuarina plantations is a breath taking monument. Fashioned in the form of a chariot, drawn by seven spirited horses, the temple is profusely sculptured with exquisite figures and figurines fired by an astonishing energy trapped on stone. It is a stunning master piece of the 13th century Kalingan style of art and is one of the unrivalled technical marvels that the age has produced. Replete with erotic sculptures, human beings in diverse forms and activities, depiction of flora and fauna, long scroll of elephants, beasts and birds and life size images of damsels playing on musical instruments in exotic rapture, the monument stylised as it is, brings a sensuous beauty and creates a dream land for the visitors
Location
33-kms from Puri, Orissa
Altitude : Sea level
Best time to visit
Being close the sea climate of Konark is never very harsh. With greenery surrounding the place, rainfall is heavy. Best season to visit Konark temples is between October to March but one can go there throughout the year.
Temperature (deg C): Summer- Max. 43, Min. 32.2; Winter- 26.7, Min. 10.6.
Rainfall : 152.4 cms (July to September).
Best season : Throughout the year, but preferaby October to March.
How To Get There
Air : Nearest airport Bhubaneshwar (64 kms) is connected with Calcutta, Delhi, Hyderabad, Madras and Nagpur by Indian Airlines flights.
Fare: Calcutta-Bhubaneshwar Rs.1910 (J), Rs.1381 (Y).
Rail: Nearest railheads Puri (31 kms) and Bhubaneshwar (64 kms) are connected by rail with all the major places in India.
Fare: Calcutta-Puri Rs.545 (AC-2A), Rs.402 (I), Rs.140 (II). Calcutta-Bhubaneshwar Rs.489 (AC-2A), Rs.367 (I), Rs.134 (II).
Road: Konark is well-connected by regular bus-services with Puri, Bhubaneshwar as well as all the major places in Orissa.
Attractions
The Sun Temple
The Orissan King 'Raja Narasimha Deva' built this temple in the 13th century. It took 1,200 workmen over 16 years to build. It is believed that the temple was no longer used from the early 17th century when the temple was desecrated by Muslim invaders. In 1904 the sand around the temple base was cleared.
This impressive temple resembles a huge chariot with 24 huge wheels being pulled by seven horses. Great pairs of large intricately carved wheels were carved on both sides of the 4m high platform that the temple is on. There are two rows of 12 wheels on each side of the temple. Some say the wheels represent the 24 hours in a day and others say the 12 months. The seven horses are said to symbolize the seven days of the week. There is a dancing hall here, an audience hall and a high tower too. This temple was once called the Black Pagoda by sailors because it was supposed to draw ships into the shore and cause shipwrecks
KonarkBeach
There is a nice quiet beach about 3-km from the temple. The currents can be strong here, so swimming can be dangerous. Not far from the beach is a pond where Krishna's son Samba is said to have been cured from leprosy. Every year during the full moon phase in the month of Magha there is a festival called "Magha Saptami Mela". People bathe in the pond at night and then watch the sun rise over the sea the next morning.
The Sun Temple Museum
The Sun Temple Museum run by the Archaeological Survey of India has a excellent collection of sculptures from the temple ruins. One can also purchase the "Archaeological Survey of India's Sun Temple-Konark" from here. It is not sold at the temple itself.
Shopping
One can buy beautiful and exotic decorative pieces from Konark. The handicraft items from this place are quite popular. Items made from seashells and the Chattris can also be taken as souvenirs.
Excursions
Ramachandi : 8 Kms from the Sun Temple is the temple of Goddess Ramachandi. It is here that river Kushabhadra meets with the sea. A nice picnic spot.
Beleswar : The Saiva shrine and the sea beach make Beleswar a tourist spot 20 kms from Konark.
Balighai : The sea turtle research centre here is known for its work in protection of the rare sea turtle species. Again the sea beach makes it a tourist place 25 Kms from Konark.
Kurum : An important archaeological site. The excavated Buddhist site is 8 Kms from Konark.
Kakatapur : 25 Kms from the Sun temple is the shrine of Goddess Mangala on river Prachi.
Chourasi : A typical order of temple architecture. 35 kms from Konark is the temple of Goddess Barahi.
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