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Surya Konark Temple, Konark Travel Guide, Konark Sun Temple, Konark Sun Temple History

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Navagrah - Surya - Introduction

Introduction

Image: 
Introduction: 
   
Konark is an important site of the sacred golden triangle and is famous for its ancient Konark Temple. UNESCO has declared the temple as a world heritage site.
    
Konark is also known as Konaditya which means Corner of Sun. In this form, it is the principal pilgrimage for worshippers of Sun.
    
This 13th century temple was built by Narsinghdev of the eastern Gang dynasty under the supervision of his chief architect, Bisu Maharana.
    
This Sun Temple is shaped like a chariot whose 7 horses and 24 wheels represent the 7 days and the 24 hours respectively.
    
Like in Khajuraho, here too one can see a beautiful integration of architecture and sculpting. A number of statues here depict Vatsyayan’s Kamasutra.
 

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Mythological Beliefs

Mythological Beliefs: 
   
Konark has been referred to as Padmakshetra and Ark-kshetra in the Puranas.
    
 According to mythological beliefs, Samb was cursed by his father, Lord Krishna, to get leprosy.
    
On Narad’s advice, Samb worshipped Sun for 12 years in this Mitravan which relieved him of the disease.
 

Historical Facts

History: 
   
The practice of worshipping Sun in India began with the invasion of the Aryans. The Rigved also has 10 mantras (chants) dedicated to the Sun.
   
In the second century A.D., Konark was an important commercial centre which has been mentioned in Ptolemy’s Geography.
   
The Sun temple was built by the renowned king Langla Narsingh Dev of the eastern Gang dynasty in 1253-60 A.D. to celebrate his victory over the Turks.
   
After 1568 A.D., Konark came under the control of the Mughals.
   
In 1626 A.D., King Narsinghdev of Khurda took the idol of Sun to Puri and kept it in the Indra Temple.
   
Konark continuously faced both, human as well as natural disasters. By the end of the 19th century, it had completely disappeared under sand.
   
In 1901 A.D., efforts to renovate it were initiated.
 

Main Places To See

Main Places To See: 
    
Sun Temple:
 
This temple is situated at 4 km from the sea coast and is made of black granite, hence it is also known as ‘Black Pagoda’. It is believed that its construction took 12 years involving continuous work by 1200 labourers and an expense of state revenue of 12 years.Currently only same parts like Deval, Jagmohan etc. of the Temple are remaining.
    
Mayadevi Temple:
 
This temple is dedicated to Sangyadevi, the wife of Sun, and is situated behind the Sun Temple. It is also known as Mayadevi Temple.
    
Vishnu Temple:
 
This temple is also situated in the Sun Temple complex. It is built from bricks. A point worth noting is that Vishnu too also been considered as Aditya (sun) in prominent Vedic literature.
    
Archaeological Museum:
 
Articles found from the Konark excavation have been kept here which include pieces of the dome, several Mithun statues, Agni Dev (fire God), Saraswati idol etc.
    
Chandrabhaga beach:
 
This is an important beach over here and is considered as one of the most attractive ones in the world. It is a key centre of spiritual and cultural activities taking place here.
 

Main Festivals

Main Festivals: 
   
Chandrabhaga fair:
 
This festival is celebrated on the Shukla Saptami of Magh month (February). It is believed that this is the birthday of the Sun and from this day onwards, the sun moves northwards. On this occasion, those who take a dip in the Chandrabhaga and worship the Sun are said to get all their wishes fulfilled.
   
Konark Mahotsav:
 
A 5-day festival of classical dance and music is held in the open space in front of the Sun Temple from 1-5 December every year. The key attraction is the Odissi dance.
   
Makar Sankranti:
 
It is celebrated every year when the Sun enters the Makar (Capricorn) star sign. It is considered virtuous. The key rituals performed are a sea bath and the worship of Sun.
 

Where To Stay

Where To Stay : 
   
Dharamshalas
 
 Goenka Dharmshala  In Puri
 Khemka Dharmshala  In Puri
 Bagaria Dharmshala  In Puri
   
Hotels:
 
 Category
 General
 Name
 Konark Lodge
 Address
 Konark Police Station, Post - Konark, Dist. Puri, Orissa - 796 001
 Telephone
 +91 - 6758 - 236 502
   
 
 Category
 General
 Name
 Royal Lodge
 Address
 Opp. Konark Temple, Puri, Orissa
 Telephone
 +91 - 6758 - 236 818
   
 
 Category
 General
 Name
 Yatri Niwas
 Address
 O.T.D.C., Konark, Puri, Orissa
 Telephone
 +91 - 6758 - 236 820
 Fax
   
 
 Category
 Medium
 Name
 Hotel Samudra
 Address
 Chakrateerth Road, Puri, Orissa - 752 002
 Telephone
 +91 - 6752 - 222 705
 Fax
   
 
 Category
 Medium
 Name
 Hotel Shreehari
 Address
 New Marine Drive Road, Swargdwaar, Puri, Orissa - 752 001
 Telephone
 +91 - 6752 - 231 644 / 55
 Fax
  +91 - 6752 - 254 301
 E-mail
 Website  www.hotelshreehari.com
   
 
 Category
 High
 Name
 Clark’s Varanasi
 Address
 The Mall, Cantonment, Varanasi, UP - 221 004
 Telephone
 +91 - 542 - 2501011 / 28
 Website
   
 
 Category
 High
 Name
 Hotel Toshali Sands
 Address
 Puri, Orissa
 Telephone
 +91 - 6752 - 250 571 / 2 / 3
   
 
 Category
 High
 Name
 Hotel Mayfair Resort
 Address
 Chakrateerth Road, Puri, Orissa - 752 002
 Telephone
 +91 - 6752 - 2278000
   
 
 Category
 High
 Name
 Hotel Hans Coco Palms
 Address
 Swargdwaar, Puri, Orissa - 752 001
 Telephone
 +91 - 6752 - 230 038 / 951 / 952
 

Location/Climate

Location/Climate: 
 
Location
 
 Geographical  Location  Height  Above  Sea Level  Average Annual Rainfall
 Latitude  Longitude  2.7 metres  153 mm
 19.5˚ N  86˚ E
   
 
Temperature

Temperature is given in degrees Celsius.
 
 Month  Jan   Feb   Mar   Apr  May  Jun  Jul  Aug  Sep  Oct   Nov    Dec
 Maximum 
22
26
33
38
41
40
35
32
32
30
27
25
 Minimum
6
10
15
22
26
30
26
25
24
19
10
6
   
 
Important Informations
Konark is situated in Puri district, at the confluence of the Chandrabhaga River and the Bay of Bengal. It is 35 km from Puri and 65 km from Bhuvaneshwar.
The temperature in the summer is 35-40 degrees Centigrade while that in the winters goes down to 12-14 degrees.
The ideal time to visit Konark is between October and March.
 

General Information

General Information: 
 
 STD Code
 +91-6752
 Police Assistance
  +91-6752 - 223 470 / 226 211
 Ambulance  103 / 131
 Hospital
  District Hospital, Grand Trunk Road, Puri
 Currency  Exchange
  Western Union
 Hotel Gandhar, Chakrateerth Road, Puri - 752 002,
 Tel: +91-6752 - 2224117
 Central Bank of India
 Puri, Orissa-752002, Tel: +91-6752 - 228 646
 ATM Centre
 State Bank of India
 Surya Complex, Grand Road, Puri - 752 00
 Post Office
 Konark
 Tourist Office
  Yatri Niwas,
 Konark - 752 111, Dist. Puri, Tel: +91-6752 - 36821
 Shopping
 Tourists can buy stone idols,
 Patta   paintings, appliqués, shell bangles etc from   Konark.
   
 
Food
In Konark, tourists can get meals at the Geetanjali Restaurant of Yatri Niwas and vegetarian meals at Sharma Marwadi Wasa. There are a number of options for food in Puri also.
 

Travel Planner

Address (Click on "A" to locate): 
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PDF File: 
application/pdf iconsurya.pdf
Airports in the vicinity: 
- Bhuvaneshwar
- Kolkata
Railway: 
 Main Railway Stations  Station Code
 Bhuvaneshwar  BBS
 Puri  PURI
 Cuttack  CTC
Road Distance from Destinations: 
 Bhuvaneshwar  Kolkata  433 km
 Cuttack  31 km
 Puri  54 km
 Konark  64 km
 Puri

 

  Konark  35 km
 Bhuvaneshwar  60 km
 Cuttack  74 km
 Kolkata  477 km
 Konark  Puri  35 km
 Bhuvaneshwar  65 km

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