Location: 33-kms from Puri, Orissa
Main Attractions: Sun Temple, Konark
Beach , Konark Dance Festival
Reigning Deity: Lord Surya
Also Known As: Black Pagoda |
Tourism in
Konark
The Language Of The
Stone
Konark, also known as "Arka-Tirtha", is
known for its temple of Lord Surya, the sun
god. It is situated on the seashore, 33-km
north of Puri and 64-km from Bhubaneswar. It
was constructed of black stone in the
beginning of the 13th century, and it is
considered one of the most vivid
architectural showpieces of Hindu India.
Despite the fact that the 'Black Pagoda' is
in ruins, the remaining porch area and other
structures of this temple complex remain as
a crown jewel of Orissan artwork.
The Legend
Mistaking the sea at Puri for the Yamuna
River, Sri Chaitanya jumped in and was
washed by the ocean 33-km north to the
Konark area, where an astonished fisherman
caught him in his net.
PRIME 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.
Konark Beach
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.
EXCURSIONS
Kuruma
This place approachable by jeeps is just
8-kms from Konark. Recent excavations have
brought this small village into the
limelight with the discovery of antique
images of Buddha seated in "Bhumispara Mudra"
along with the image of "Heruka".
Chaurasi
Here one may visit the shrines of 'Laxminarayanan',
'Amareshras' and 'Barahi'. Barahi is a deity
dating back to the 9th Century AD and is
worshipped according to tantric practices.
She is a mother goddess with the face of a
boar and is holding a fish in one hand and a
cup in the other.
Ramachandi
7-kms from Konark, it is accessible by road
(Marine drive). Ramachandi is situated at
the confluence of the River Kusabhadra and
the Bay of Bengal. It is a beautiful spot
and Goddess Ramachandi, the deity of Konark,
is worshipped here.
Astranga
Washed by the clear blue waters of the Bay
of Bengal it really lives upto its name. 'Astranga'
literally means varied colours. 55-kms from
Konark, the sunset is a spectacular scene.
It is a famous fishing harbour.
Kakatapur
Kakatapur lies 45-kms from Konark. Well
connected by regular bus services from Puri
Bhubaneshwar and Cuttack . It is situated in
the Prachi valley and is known for the
shrines of Goddess 'Mangala' and 'Banadurga'.
Legend has it that direction for locating
the holy log from which is created the icon
of Lord Jagannatha comes from her. The
much-famed 'Jhamu Yatra' is celebrated in
April - May where the devotees walk over a
narrow trench strewn with lighted embers. It
is a major festival here.
Pipli (44-kms)
Pipli, close to Konark, is a centre for
applique work.
GETTING THERE
Air: The nearest airport from Konark is
situated at Bhubaneswar.
Rail: Bhubaneswar is the nearest railhead
situated at 65-km from Konark.
Road: Konark is located 65-km from
Bhubaneswar and 35-km north of Puri on
Marine Drive, right next to the ocean. There
are regular buses to and from Puri that take
about an hour. From Bhubaneswar, with a
change of buses at Pipli, it takes from two
to four hours. There is a direct tourist bus
that leaves from the town bus stand in
Bhunaneswar at 10am. There is a daily tour
bus that goes to Konark from Puri and a tour
bus from Bhubaneswar. One can also take a
taxi from Puri.
WHERE TO STAY
LODGES & HOTELS
Labanya lodge
Lodging Sunrise
OTDC's Travellers Lodge
Yatri Niwas
OTDC's Panthaniwas
FESTIVALS
Konark, lying in the country's tropical belt
is amiable all the year round. But those who
desire to see Konark in full splendour
should come here in the month of February
for the "Magha Saptami", also called "Chandrabhaga
Mela" , when pilgrims from all over the
world visit this place.
Tourists interested in Indian dance and
music should visit Konark during 1st week of
December to see the Konark Dance Festival
held in the Open Air Auditorium North of the
Konark Sun Temple .
Nearby Cities
Bhubaneswar: 64-km
Puri: 33-km
Ramchandi: 8-km
Baleswar: 20-km
Balighai : 25-km
Kapileswar: 10-km
Kurum; 8-km
Kakatapur: 25-km
Chourasi: 35-km
|
French
Español
Italiano
Deutsch
Português
India
Travel Guide / States /
Orissa / Cities /
Konark Travel
