Konark
The Land of the Sun Temple
General Information
District: Puri, State: Orissa, India
Area: 0
Languages Spoken: Oriya, Hindi and English
Long Distance Code: +91-6758
Importance: Famous for the world heritage site of the sun temple.
Best Time to Visit: October to February
Description
The small town of Konark is world famous for its exotic temple dedicated to Sun God. Today declared as a world heritage site, the temple is the most beautiful example of the Oriyan temple architecture. Standing virtually on the sea beach of Konark, this temple was earlier known as the Black Pagoda, as it would mislead the boatmen and eventually cause ship wreckage. <br />Just like each and every temple and place in India has a myth or a legend attached to it, Konark temple is no exception. Why the temple was built on the sea shores is still a mystery that amazes the historians. According to a legend, son of Lord Krishna, Samba is said to have built it. It is said that he was very good looking and once insulted the great sage Narada over his looks. Sage Narada took his revenge by luring him to a pond where Krishna's wives were bathing. When Krishna came to know about this he cursed his own son of leprosy, but repented after learning the mischievous game played by sage Narada. Samba was asked to worship Lord Surya, the Sun God who would cure all the diseases. Samba's penance paid off after 12 years so in reverence to the God he built a temple where he was asked to take a dip in the sea water. <br />However, historically the temple was built in the 13th century AD by King Narsinhadeva - I of Ganga dynasty, to commemorate his victory over the Mughals. It is said that building of this stupendous architectural piece took nearly 12 years with nearly 1200 artisans. Konark drives its name from the word Konarka which actually is the combination of two words, Kona and Arka. It means the place where the Sun Arka is in Corner, that is Kona, and hence the name Konark. It was also known as Konaditya, where Aditya also means Sun. <br />This probably might the only temple in the world which does not have a Shikhara, a conical shape on the dome. It is said that the Shikhara which was built was made of magnet which would attract lot of ships to the port eventually crashing them and therefore it was removed. But the legend goes that due to some misdeed that the king did has been punished in this form and how much so ever one may try, the Shikhara can never be built on the temple. <br />It is a specimen of architectural grandeur and zenith of the local architecture. The intricacy and profusion of sculptural work is amazing. The entire temple has been conceived as a chariot of the sun god with 24 wheels, each about 10 feet in diameter, with a set of spokes and elaborate carvings. Seven horses drag the temple. Two lions guard the entrance, crushing elephants. The seven horses represent the seven days of the week and the 24 wheels denote the 24 hours in a day. <br />The Nat Mandir in front of the Jag Mohan is also intricately carved. Around the base of the temple, and up the walls and roof, are various carvings. There are images of animals, foliage, men, warriors on horses and other interesting patterns. Every aspect of life is represented here, and the erotic imagery, depicts the sublimation of human love manifested in countless forms. Scenes from court, civic life and war are also done with great precision. There are three images of the Sun God, positioned to catch the rays of the sun at dawn, noon and sunset.<br />The temple went into obscurity in the later period, until it was recovered by the British. Many parts of the temple have alas been washed away in to the sea over the period of time. <br />There is a museum just outside the temple which houses some great artifacts those which have been saved from the ruins of the temple. The nine planets, posed as the nine deities which were located on the door ways have been enshrined in a separate temple nearby. The Astronomy that the temple poses is an amazing fact in itself. Today the sea beach which once most probably washed the stairs of the temple has receded to around 3 kms and indeed is a pristine beach. The clear waters and the soft sand with the cool breeze sure make a good retreat from the hustle bustle of the outside world.Location
Around 65 kms from the capital of Bhubaneshwar, Konark is just 35 kms from the sacred city of Jagannath Puri.
Kuruma:\r\nKuruma is a recent discovery in the region. Recently many ancient idols of Lord Buddha in various mudras have been excavated from the site and since then the small place of Kuruma has become an important tourist place. \r\n\r\nChaurasi:\r\nChaurasi is the site of the shrines dedicated to Lakshmi Narayan, Amareshras, and Barahi. Goddess Barahi is a deity dating back to the 9th century A.D. and was worshipped according to tantric practices. A different idol of the mother goddess with the face of a boar, fish in one hand and a cup in another is what attracts many tourists to this place. \r\n\r\nKakatpur:\r\nAlso an important pilgrimage site, it is the place of the Baan Durga. It is said that the directions to the wood used for the making of the idols of Lord Jagannath are given by this Goddess in Kakatpur. Situated in the Prachi valley around 45 kms form Konark, it is also famous for the temple of Goddess Mangala.
Konark Sun Temple ([koɳarkə]; also Konârak) is a 13th-century Sun Temple at Konark in Odisha, India. It is believed that the temple was built by king Narasimhadeva I of Eastern Ganga Dynasty around 1250 CE. The temple is in the shape of a gigantic chariot elaborately carved stone wheels, pillars and walls. A major part of the structure is now in ruins. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Timings: 6:00 am – 8:00 pm
TRIBES OF EAST INDIA / PC-607 (19 Days / 18 Nights)
Kolkata-Bhubaneshwar-Bhubaneshwar / Nandan Kanan-Udaygiri-Khandigiri-Bhubaneshwar-Dhauli-Pipli-Konark-Puri-Chilka lake-Taptapani-Saora Tribe Village-Raygada-Kutia Kondh-Raygada-Chitakona-Jeypore-Oukudelli-Lampatapur-Vishakapatnam-Delhi-Varanasi-Khajuraho-Chitrakoot-Kalinjer-Chitrakoot-Khajuraho-Delhi
Odisha has the largest variety of tribal communities, which are at various stages of socio-economic development. At one extreme are the group which lead a relatively secluded and archaic mode of life, keeping their core culture intact, while at the other extreme there are communities which are indistinguishable from the general agricultural communities. The tribal people express their cultural identity and distinctiveness in their social organization, language, rituals and festivals and also in their dress, ornaments, art and craft. During your tour you will get a firsthand experience of many facades of India. Varanasi is perhaps the cradle of Hindu Civilization. Khajuraho offers exotic and erotic architecture from millennia back. Nestled in Northern Vindhyas, the sacred town of Chitrakoot embraces green forests, gurgling streams and tranquil rivers. Chitrakoot is a hub of Hindu religion and culture. Tour to Chitrakoot makes for a spiritual experience amidst tranquil surroundings. The holy place of Chitrakoot was regarded as a significant place in Tretayuga, the third epoch of the Hindu cosmology. It is believed that the legendry hero of Ramayana, Rama with his beautiful wife Sita visited Chitrakoot during their exile. It was here where the great sages Atri and Sati Anasuya meditated. The holy trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh assumed incarnations here. Chitrakoot is an epitome of Hindu thought and philosophy. Goswami Tulsidas who lived during Mughal Emperor Akbar's reign, is believed to have visited Chitrakoot to seek divine inspiration when he was about to begin he chronicling of Rama's life in his masterpiece Ramcharitamanas.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Kolkata
Day 2 : Kolkata
Day 3 : Kolkata-Bhubaneshwar
Day 4 : Bhubaneshwar / Nandan Kanan-Udaygiri-Khandigiri-Bhubaneshwar
Day 5 : Bhubaneshwar-Dhauli-Pipli-Konark-Puri
Day 6 : Puri-Chilka lake-Taptapani
Day 7 : Taptapani-Saora Tribe Village-Raygada
Day 8 : Raygada-Kutia Kondh-Raygada
Day 9 : Raygada-Chitakona-Jeypore
Day 10 : Jeypore-Oukudelli-Lampatapur-Vishakapatnam
Day 11 : Vishakapatnam-Delhi
Day 12 : Delhi-Varanasi
Day 13 : Varanasi
Day 14 : Varanasi-Khajuraho
Day 15 : Khajuraho-Chitrakoot
Day 16 : Chitrakoot-Kalinjer-Chitrakoot
Day 17 : Chitrakoot-Khajuraho
Day 18 : Khajuraho-Delhi
Day 19 : Delhi
Kolkata-Bhubaneshwar-Bhubaneshwar / Nandan Kanan-Udaygiri-Khandigiri-Bhubaneshwar-Dhauli-Pipli-Konark-Puri-Chilka lake-Taptapani-Saora Tribe Village-Raygada-Kutia Kondh-Raygada-Chitakona-Jeypore-Oukudelli-Lampatapur-Vishakapatnam-Delhi-Varanasi-Khajuraho-Chitrakoot-Kalinjer-Chitrakoot-Khajuraho-Delhi
Odisha has the largest variety of tribal communities, which are at various stages of socio-economic development. At one extreme are the group which lead a relatively secluded and archaic mode of life, keeping their core culture intact, while at the other extreme there are communities which are indistinguishable from the general agricultural communities. The tribal people express their cultural identity and distinctiveness in their social organization, language, rituals and festivals and also in their dress, ornaments, art and craft. During your tour you will get a firsthand experience of many facades of India. Varanasi is perhaps the cradle of Hindu Civilization. Khajuraho offers exotic and erotic architecture from millennia back. Nestled in Northern Vindhyas, the sacred town of Chitrakoot embraces green forests, gurgling streams and tranquil rivers. Chitrakoot is a hub of Hindu religion and culture. Tour to Chitrakoot makes for a spiritual experience amidst tranquil surroundings. The holy place of Chitrakoot was regarded as a significant place in Tretayuga, the third epoch of the Hindu cosmology. It is believed that the legendry hero of Ramayana, Rama with his beautiful wife Sita visited Chitrakoot during their exile. It was here where the great sages Atri and Sati Anasuya meditated. The holy trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh assumed incarnations here. Chitrakoot is an epitome of Hindu thought and philosophy. Goswami Tulsidas who lived during Mughal Emperor Akbar's reign, is believed to have visited Chitrakoot to seek divine inspiration when he was about to begin he chronicling of Rama's life in his masterpiece Ramcharitamanas.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Kolkata
Day 2 : Kolkata
Day 3 : Kolkata-Bhubaneshwar
Day 4 : Bhubaneshwar / Nandan Kanan-Udaygiri-Khandigiri-Bhubaneshwar
Day 5 : Bhubaneshwar-Dhauli-Pipli-Konark-Puri
Day 6 : Puri-Chilka lake-Taptapani
Day 7 : Taptapani-Saora Tribe Village-Raygada
Day 8 : Raygada-Kutia Kondh-Raygada
Day 9 : Raygada-Chitakona-Jeypore
Day 10 : Jeypore-Oukudelli-Lampatapur-Vishakapatnam
Day 11 : Vishakapatnam-Delhi
Day 12 : Delhi-Varanasi
Day 13 : Varanasi
Day 14 : Varanasi-Khajuraho
Day 15 : Khajuraho-Chitrakoot
Day 16 : Chitrakoot-Kalinjer-Chitrakoot
Day 17 : Chitrakoot-Khajuraho
Day 18 : Khajuraho-Delhi
Day 19 : Delhi
Kolkata – Bhubaneswar(Odisha)Tribal trip / PI-01240 (15 Days / 14 Nights)
Kolkata-Bhubaneshwar-Dhenkanal-Konark-Puri-Gopalpur-Rayagada-Jeypore-Rayagada-Bhubaneshwar-Kolkata
Kolkota – Bhubaneswar - Lalitgiri - Ratnagiri - Langudi - Dhenkanal - Nuapatna - Sadeibereni - Joranda - Dhenkanal - Konark - Puri - Chilka Lake – Gopalpur - Padmanavapur - Taptapani - Rayagada – Jeypore –Onukadeli market - Jeypore – Kunduli market - Rayagada - Bhubaneswar – Kolkata
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Kolkata
Day 2 : Kolkata
Day 3 : Kolkata
Day 4 : Bhubaneshwar
Day 5 : Dhenkanal
Day 6 : Dhenkanal
Day 7 : Konark
Day 8 : Puri
Day 9 : Gopalpur
Day 10 : Rayagada
Day 11 : Jeypore
Day 12 : Rayagada
Day 13 : Rayagada
Day 14 : Bhubaneshwar
Day 15 : Kolkata
Kolkata-Bhubaneshwar-Dhenkanal-Konark-Puri-Gopalpur-Rayagada-Jeypore-Rayagada-Bhubaneshwar-Kolkata
Kolkota – Bhubaneswar - Lalitgiri - Ratnagiri - Langudi - Dhenkanal - Nuapatna - Sadeibereni - Joranda - Dhenkanal - Konark - Puri - Chilka Lake – Gopalpur - Padmanavapur - Taptapani - Rayagada – Jeypore –Onukadeli market - Jeypore – Kunduli market - Rayagada - Bhubaneswar – Kolkata
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Kolkata
Day 2 : Kolkata
Day 3 : Kolkata
Day 4 : Bhubaneshwar
Day 5 : Dhenkanal
Day 6 : Dhenkanal
Day 7 : Konark
Day 8 : Puri
Day 9 : Gopalpur
Day 10 : Rayagada
Day 11 : Jeypore
Day 12 : Rayagada
Day 13 : Rayagada
Day 14 : Bhubaneshwar
Day 15 : Kolkata
Tribal Orissa Tour / PI-0244 (13 Days / 12 Nights)
Bhubaneshwar-Konark-Puri-Chilka-Gopalpur-Rayagada-Jeypore-Visakhapatnam
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Bhubaneshwar
Day 2 : Bhubaneshwar
Day 3 : Bhubaneshwar
Day 4 : Bhubaneshwar-Konark-Puri
Day 5 : Puri
Day 6 : Puri - Chilka - Gopalpur
Day 7 : Gopalpur - Rayagada
Day 8 : Rayagada
Day 9 : Rayagada - Jeypore
Day 10 : Jeypore
Day 11 : Jeypore
Day 12 : Jeypore - Visakhapatnam
Day 13 : Visakhapatnam
Bhubaneshwar-Konark-Puri-Chilka-Gopalpur-Rayagada-Jeypore-Visakhapatnam
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Bhubaneshwar
Day 2 : Bhubaneshwar
Day 3 : Bhubaneshwar
Day 4 : Bhubaneshwar-Konark-Puri
Day 5 : Puri
Day 6 : Puri - Chilka - Gopalpur
Day 7 : Gopalpur - Rayagada
Day 8 : Rayagada
Day 9 : Rayagada - Jeypore
Day 10 : Jeypore
Day 11 : Jeypore
Day 12 : Jeypore - Visakhapatnam
Day 13 : Visakhapatnam
Tribal Tour Of Orissa / PI-0260 (14 Days / 13 Nights)
Delhi-Bhubaneshwar-Baliguda-Rayagada-Chatikona-Jeypore-Jeyopore-Onukudelli-Jeypore-Gupteswar-Jeypore-Taptapani-Tatapani-Puri-Konark-Puri-Bhubaneshwar-Delhi
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi
Day 2 : Delhi - Bhubaneshwar
Day 3 : Bhubaneshwar
Day 4 : Bhubaneshwar - Baliguda
Day 5 : Baliguda - Rayagada
Day 6 : Rayagada - Chatikona - Jeypore
Day 7 : Jeyopore - Onukudelli - Jeypore
Day 8 : Jeypore - Gupteswar - Jeypore
Day 9 : Jeypore - Taptapani
Day 10 : Tatapani - Puri
Day 11 : Puri-Konark-Puri
Day 12 : Puri
Day 13 : Puri - Bhubaneshwar - Delhi
Day 14 : Delhi
Delhi-Bhubaneshwar-Baliguda-Rayagada-Chatikona-Jeypore-Jeyopore-Onukudelli-Jeypore-Gupteswar-Jeypore-Taptapani-Tatapani-Puri-Konark-Puri-Bhubaneshwar-Delhi
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 : Delhi
Day 2 : Delhi - Bhubaneshwar
Day 3 : Bhubaneshwar
Day 4 : Bhubaneshwar - Baliguda
Day 5 : Baliguda - Rayagada
Day 6 : Rayagada - Chatikona - Jeypore
Day 7 : Jeyopore - Onukudelli - Jeypore
Day 8 : Jeypore - Gupteswar - Jeypore
Day 9 : Jeypore - Taptapani
Day 10 : Tatapani - Puri
Day 11 : Puri-Konark-Puri
Day 12 : Puri
Day 13 : Puri - Bhubaneshwar - Delhi
Day 14 : Delhi
Konark, India Tours
