Located on the Bay of Bengal, 60 kms. from Bhubaneswar and 35 kms. from Puri, Konark is a small town in the District of Puri and one of the points of the Golden Triangle of Orissa. Having derived its name from Kona meaning corner and Arka meaning Sun, Konark is also called Arkakshetra. A magnificent Sun Temple designed in the shape of a colossal chariot with seven galloping horses and twelve pairs of giant wheels each 10 ft. high fixed on either side, carrying the mythical Sun God across the heavens is the main attraction here. It is one of the most stunning monuments of the World.

Close by is one of the most attractive beaches - the Chandrabhaga beach.

Best time to visit Konark -– Round the year

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Where to Stay at Konark (STD code-06758) - Hotel's Name & Address Hotel's Name & Address Panthanivas, OTDC, Konark Dist: Puri Ph.236831 Yatrinivas, Open Air Auditorium,(Sun villa) & Travellers Lodge 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 Marwari Hotel, Konark Aristo Lodge, Konark. Bijoy Lodge, Konark, Ph.- 236748

Comoing soon...........

Local Sightseeing -

The Sun Temple - A world heritage monument build in mid 13th century in the shape of a colossal chariot carrying the mythical Sun God across the heavens.

The Navagraha Shrine - Just outside the Sun Temple compound, on the north west corner, it houses a monolythic stone panel with images of nine planets. It is a living shrine visited by devotees to pay their homages to the nine planets every day. Iconographically, this is a wonderful sculpture panel made of black chlorite stone.

The ASI Museum - The Archaelogical Survey of India (ASI) Museum near Yatri Nivas Konark has a rich collection of sculptures, Pannels and other artefacts mostly collected from around the Sun Temple area.

The Konark Urban Haat - A new shopping complex known as The Konark Urban Haat on the pattern of Dilli Haat has just been opened behind the Panthanivas complex which is infront of the Sun Temple. Spread over an area of about two acres of land this complex has been built with a rural ambience. There is an amphitheatre in this complex for cultural programme.

The Bhagabati Pitha - The Shrine of Goddess Bhagabati, a Shakti Shrine, is a place of worship.

Chandrabhaga Beach (3 km) - Close to the beautiful Sun Temple is one of the most attractive beaches of the east coast .

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 at Jahania.

Kuruma (8 km)* - An ancient site of Buddhist heritage, excavations here have brought to light the reminiscence of some ancient Buddhist antiquities like the image of Buddha seated in Bhumisparsa Mudra along with the image of Heruka, and a 17 metre long brick wall (brick size: 22 cm X 17 cm). Scholars are of opinion that this was one of the sites containing Buddhist stupas (shrines) as described by Hiuen T'sang.

Kakatpur (20 km)* - Situated on the Prachi Valley, Kakatpur is famous for housing the shrine of Goddess Mangala. Ritualistically, Goddess Mangala is related to Lord Jagannath during his Nabakalevara (change of the deities to new image). The direction for locating the holly-log which forms the new 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.

Ramachandi (10 km)* On the confluence of the river Kushabhadra and the Bay of Bengal, Ramachandi, the presiding deity of the Konark region is worshipped here with reverence. On the Marine Drive, the place is ideal for weekend getaways.

Balukhand Sanctuary(3 km)* This sanctuary is situated at convenient location along the seacoast between Puri and Konark. The flora of the area includes casuarinas, anacardium, neem, tamarind, karanja, etc. The prominent fauna include blackbuck, spotted deer, monkey, squirrel, jungle cat, hyena, jackal, mongoose and variety of birds and reptiles. The Puri - Konark marine drive passes through it. You can also visit Puri, Bhubaneswar, Chilka from Konark

Other Places You can also visit Puri, Bhubaneswar, Chilka from Konark

Where to eat at Konark -

One can indulge in delicious Oriya cuisine as well as other types of cuisine in the restaurants of Panthanivas and Yatrinivas.

Other Activities -

Fairs and Festivals of Konark

Magha Saptami which is also called Chandrabhaga Mela or Magha Mela is the most popular festival (in the month of February) when lakhs of pilgrims from various parts of India and abroad visit this place.

Tourism festival known as Konark Festival, organised by Orissa Tourism, is held here from the 1st-5th December every year in the "Open Air Auditorium" with the Sun Temple as the backdrop which displays an ensemble of India's classical and traditional dance forms. Eminent dancers and their troupe delight visitors in the wintry evening of early December with dramatic and riveting choreographies. Besides, the dance performances the visitors are treated, to an Artist's Camp, and sand Art exhibition and Crafts Mela which are other attractions for tourists.

There is also another festival known as Konark Dance and Music Festival organized by the The Konark Natya Mandap, under the supervision of Guru Padmashree Gangadhar Pradhan at Konark Natya Mandap from 19th to 21st February.

Shopping in Konark

Stone and Wood carvings, Pata paintings, the famous appliqué work of Pipli, and many other handicrafts of Orissa can be selected as souvenirs from the local market in Konark.An Urban Haat, a modern ethnic shoping complex, on the lines of Dilli Haat has just come up here for display and sale of souvenirs.

Coming soon..........