Konark Sun Temple, Odisha

Konark Sun Temple in Odisha is one of the most popular temples of the state of Odisha, India. It is indeed amongst one of the scintillating monuments of religious importance proudly standing with a majestic architecture at Konark. The architecture on display at the Konark Temple is a culmination of Oriya architecture.

The Konark temple was constructed during the time and patronage of King Narasimhadeva in the 13th Century CE. The Konark Sun Temple is quite nearly located from Puri and Bhubaneshwar, at a distance of 35 kms and 65 kms from these places respectively. The name Konark has a special significance as it is the amalgamation of the two words Kona and Arka meaning corner and the Sun respectively. This temple was given the name of “The Black Pagoda” by the European sailors for it was a significant landmark for them during their coastal voyage. In those days, where worshipping the nature gods were in great vogue the worship of earth god and sun god were in particular very much prevalent and practiced by the people with great devotion with the sun god being considered as the bestower of desires and healer of diseases. Sun has already been a hugely popular deity for the Hindus right since the ancient Vedic period.

The Konark sun temple is a UNESCO world heritage site, declared in the year of 1984. The Temple remains a major pilgrimage site for Hindus after Jagannath temple in Puri, who gather here every year for the Chandrabhaga Mela about February.

So all these make the Konark Sun temple a place of great reverence and significance especially when the fact is taken under consideration the time when it was built. And still today it has remained all the same for the Hindu devotees who visit the temple from far and wide across the country to offer their prayers to the divine and mighty Sun God.

Timings

Konark Sun Temple open at 10:00 AM to 05:00 PM

Entry Fees

35 INR per online payment or 40 INR cash payment per Indian/SAARC/BIMSTEC tourists and 550 INR per online payment or 600 INR cash payment per foreign tourists. (Child upto 15 years of age allow free of cost entry)

Accessibility

Transportation is not an issue, from Bhubaneswar airport to Konark is just about 64 kilometer and deluxe buses are available at frequent interval during whole day time and taxi/cab service is adequately available. The distance is about 34 kms from Puri and can take a bus or taxi or cab from Puri railway station or can also avail the train service towards the Konark which is not so frequent.

Accommodation

There are a couples of places to stay in konark, tourists will find affordable guesthouses and budget hotels.

Photography

Allowed - Free of cost

Konark Dance and Music Festival

3 days festival held annually in the month of February - 2020 event is scheduled at 7th to 9th Feb.

Konark Dance Festival Ticket

Ticket Price range is 1000-25000 INR per person - 1000 INR for one day per person pass cost, 5000 INR for 5 days per person pass cost, VIP & Luxury pass cost start from 10000 INR to 25000 INR per person.

Best Time to Visit

March to June

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