History
Located on the sea-shore at a distance of 33 kms from Puri and about 64 kms from Bhubaneswar, Konark is also known as Konaditya. The name Konark has been derived from the words Kona and Arka, Kona meaning corner and Arka meaning the sun.
Konark is one of the most famous tourist destinations in India from the spiritual standpoint and boasts of one of the best known architectural specimen. Konark is known for Sun temple which was dedicated to the Sun God by Samba, Lord Krishna's son who was cured of leprosy by the god. The temple has been designed in the form of a chariot, pulled by 7 horses carrying the Sun god. This chariot stands on 24 wheels, each wheel having a diameter of about 10 meter. Attached with a set of spokes, the wheels have excellent carvings. The main attraction of this temple is the idol of Jagmohana that showcases the brilliance of the contemporary architects of those days. Built in the year 1278 by Ganga King Narasimha Deva, the temple is referred as the Black Pagoda.
Another temple resembling the Sun temple is Melakkadambur Shiva temple. This temple too is in the form of a chariot and is one of the oldest temples of Konark. Built during the period 1075-1120 by Kulottunga Chola I, this temple is believed to have set the pace for other chariot temples in India.
The tourists coming to Konark also visit the Chandrabhaga Beach, one of the most exotic beaches in Orissa offering a picturesque view. Surrounded by palm and casuarinas, the beach is at a short distance from the sun temple. The Archaeological Site Museum, another site of tourist interest is an exceptional collection of the various pieces of loose sculptors from the remnants of the Sun temple complex.
The konark city is also known world over for its fairs and festivals. The Konark Dance Festival held here comes as a true rejuvenator of the ancient classical dance forms like Odissi, Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi and the local Chhau dance. Another festivity observed with a great fanfare at Konark is the Magha Saptami Mela held on the banks of Chandrabhaga River. Millions of devotees gather here to take a holy dip in this river on the occasion as this dip is believed to be a sure cure for all illnesses.
Any of the three modes of transportation can be used to reach Konark. With the nearest airport at Bhubaneswar, being 65 kms away, the city is easily accessible for air travelers. The nearest railway station to the town is at Puri, at about 35 kms. A number of buses also ply on daily basis from Konark to Puri and Bhubaneshwar.