konark

Dedicated to Lord Surya, this 13th century temple is an architectural marvel and the quintessential example of Odiyan form of architecture. It is believed that the temple was constructed by king Narasimhadeva I of Eastern Ganga Dynasty. The shape of the temple is of a massive chariot with sumptuously engraved stone wheels, pillars and walls. A major part of the structure at present is in ruins. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple has been made in the form of a huge adorned chariot of the god Sun. It has twelve pairs of sumptuously engraved stone wheels and is pulled by a set of seven horses. The temple trails the traditional elegance of Kalinga architecture. It is carefully slanted towards the east so that the first rays of sunrise foray the main entrance. The original temple had a main hall but, due to the weight of the heavy structure and weak soil of the area the main hall fell in 1837. The audience hall still stands and is the prime structure in the persisting ruins. Amongst the structures, at the present day, are the dance hall and dining hall. The Konark temple is also known for its sensual statues and plays host to an annual dance festival which showcase all the traditional dance forms from various past of India with the most prominent being the Odissi from its parent state.
 

Chandrabhaga Sea Beach is situated 3 kms from the famous Sun Temple of Konark. The rustle of cool breeze and the clear water along with the spellbinding scenic beauty of the beach welcome visitors to this wonderful tourist destination. The picturesque beach is ideal for picnics and other activities like swimming, boating or walking. One can simply sit down on the beach and get lost in its enchanting beauty. The place is away from the hustle and bustle of the town and offers a solitude that is relaxing and rejuvenating at the same time. But during the annual Chandrabhaga fair, the beach takes on a very different look. During that time, the beach comes alive with a lot of people, colours, light and activities. A light house stands near the beach. Standing on top of the light house and watching the majestic beauty of the Chandrabhaga beach is an experience in itself.
 

Archaeological Museum in Konark is situated near the famous Sun Temple of Konark. People flock to the museum to know and understand about the past glory of the Sun temple and to see the loose pieces of sculptors of the temple. These pieces have been collected from the temple complex and preserved in the museum. There are separate galleries which have unique collections of antique pieces like carved stones, images of Surya Narayana; erotic sculptures among other pieces are also the part of the collection.
 

Astaranga is a famous fishing centre near Konark. The place is situated near the mouth of the Devi River. It lies at a distance of 19 kms from Konark. Astaranga is a combination of two words, Asta meaning sunset and Ranga meaning colour in the Oriya language. The name is appropriate for the place as the horizon of Astaranga displays mesmerizing colours during the sunset. It draws tourists from all over the country to see this enchanting site. The Astaranga beach provides the backdrop to enjoy the beauty of the place in a more enchanting manner. The place is also well known for salt production and fishing. The small fish market on the beach is the place where fishermen display various fish and sell them to interested buyers. The mornings in Astaranga are a milieu where the fishermen return from the sea and buyers wait anxiously to buy the fresh catch.
 

Mayadevi Temple in Konark is located in the Sun temple complex. This temple is also known as the Chayadevi Temple since it is believed to be dedicated to Goddess Chayadevi. The temple comprises of a sanctum or deul and a porch or Jagamohana that stand on a raised platform. The platform’s façade is decorated with extensive architectural splendour. The superstructure of the sanctum and the porch has been destroyed over time. But the interior of the porch displays outstanding sculptural finish. The inner sanctum does not have any deity placed inside it. A row of khondalite stones surround the temple complex. The temple was believed to have been constructed in reverence to one of the wives of the Sun God, Mayadevi. But now it is believed to be the older Sun temple. Tourists visiting the Sun Temple make it a point to visit this temple as well.
 

Kakatapur Temple is located in a small village called Kakatapur on the Puri-Astaranga road in Puri District of Odisha. The village stands at a distance of 30 kms from Konark. The Kakatapur temple was constructed on the banks of river Prachi. The temple was built to worship the Goddess Mangala. Goddess Mangala is the chief deity of Kakatapur. The Kakatapur temple has a link to Puri’s famous Lord Jagannath Temple. On the occasion of the Navakalebara or the festival of Restoration of the Idols, the priests from the Lord Jagannath temple come to Goddess Mangala at the Kakatapur Temple and pray to her to help them find the sacred trees to create the new idols for Jagannath, Subhadra and Balabhadra. Jhamu Yatra is a popular festival celebrated in the Kakatapura temple. It falls on the first Tuesday of the Hindu calendar month of Baisakh, during April 14 to May 15, every year.