Follow the rainbow across the scintillating sea shore at Konark to the magnificent portals of a temple.

Thirty five km. to the north-east of Puri lies the World Heritage Monument, the Sun Temple of Konark. Twelve hundred craftsmen had toiled hard for 12 long years to erect this monumental wonder where 12 year’s revenue was spent. Modelled after the floating chariot of the mythical Sun God, the temple is a quintessence of imaginative craftsmanship of ancient Odisha. The temple architecture was designed as drawn by twelve exquisitely carved stone wheels and seven galloping horses. And the kings, queens, generals, foot soldiers, sages, priests, elephants, horses, courtiers and courtesans depicted on the walls and the panels with finesse open a window to the nostalgic times of medieval Odisha.

The Annual Konark Festival, which is held in an Open Air Auditorium with the temple as the backdrop, showcase a magical parade of India’s classical and traditional dance forms. Eminent dancers and their troupe delight visitors in the wintry evening of early December with dramatic choreographies.

Besides, the dance performances the visitors are treated in an Artist Camp to an exhibition of Odishan temple sculptures which are often described as poetry transcribed on stone. Sand Art exhibition is also another attraction for tourists.

 
It is a festival of classical dances of India performed at the backdrop of the Sun Temple, Konark.

Konark Festival was organised for the first time in 1989 in the Open Air Auditorium at Konark constructed with the financial assistance of Government of India. The festival is being organised for a period of 5 days i.e. from December 1-5 every year.

Conceived as a festival of Classical Dances of India, the objective of Konark Festival is to promote Konark as well as Odisha as place of tourist destination.
 

APPROACH

Konark is connected by excellent all-weather roads with Puri (35 kms) and Bhubaneswar (65 kms) which are also nearest Railheads. Nearest Airport is Biju Pattanaik Airport, Bhubaneswar.

Local Transport
All types of tourist cabs are available from Bhubaneswar and Puri. Further tourist luxury coaches are being operated by Odisha Tourism Development Corporation.

PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS

ACCOMMODATION - KONARK

Panthanivas (Odisha Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.)

A.C. Double Room
Non A.C. Double Room
Non A.C. 4 Bedded Room

Phone: (06758) 236820, 236821
Fax : 236820
Budget and Star accommodation with transport is also available at Puri (35 KM) and Bhubaneswar (65 KM).

Further details please contact:

Department of Tourism, Government of Odisha

Paryatan Bhawan, Museum Campus,
 Bhubaneswar - 751 014 Phone: (0674) 2432177
Fax: (0674) 2430887
www.orissatourism.gov.in
Online booking : www.visitorissa.org
E-mail: oritour@gmail.com
Call us : 1800 2097 123 (Toll Free)

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