KONARKA is
a small city in the province of Puri whose name indicates people about
the exalted Sun Temple of Odisha, also designated as the KONARK TEMPLE. Konark , a Sanskrit word is derived from two words kona (meaning angle) andarka
(meaning the Sun). This monument
which was built by King Narasinghadev in 13 th century has been declared
as an world heritage site by UNESCO. This temple is made up of black granite
and portraits the picture of a giant chariot . The chariot is pulled by seven
horses and driven on 12 pairs of wheels. This monument spread across a huge
area contains the Sun temple , the Mayadevi temple , the Vaishnava temple, a
kitchen podium , two wells, a Nata mandir and many sculptures, inscriptions .
The nata mandir also known as the dance podium is the place where every year
Konark Dance Festival is held. This function is a major gathering for the
performance of traditional folk dances and folk instruments. People and artists
from all over India attend this function and represent the talents of the cultural community in front of
the whole world .
Near the main gate of Sun temple one can visit
the Konark museum or Sun temple Museum. This museum maintained by the
Archaeological Survey of India has four galleries which showcase 260 different
types of architectural pieces and sculptures. 3 km away is the Asia’s first
blue flag certified beach i.e one of the cleanest beach- Chandrabhaga. Ages gone
when there existed a river named Chandrabhaga which today is just a conflux
into the sea. In this conflux people take holy dip every year during MaghaSaptami
celebrating the occasion of Chandrabhaga mela. A functional light house which
once used for navigation of European sailor enhances the beauty of this beach.
The visual of the black tower of sun temple led to the naming of Sun temple as
BLACK PAGODA by European sailors. The sun sets at Chandrabhaga beach are often
described as soothing and mesmerising by fellow tourists.
A few km s far one can take the opportunity
to visit the temple of Goddess Ramachandi which is present on the beach itself.
This beach is a centre for beach sports like jet ski , boating and surfing.
Feel the breeze of cool winds while
going for a drive on the Puri Konark marine drive. For further details contact
Odisha Vacations Services ,mail us at shakti@odishavacations.com. Get
your customised Odisha holiday packages and avail a sea view accommodation,
comfortable travel and mouth watering cuisine. We as a odisha tour operator
organise tourism trips , book hotels , provide vehicles and guidance for Odisha
tourism and travel. For any queries call or whatsapp us at 9338382999.
Abhijit Pattanayak
Odisha Vacations Services