Orissa Tourism, Tours, Travels, Tourist destination

3Destination to Konark4

World renowned for the magnificent Sun temple, Konark city is thronged by tourists of both local and international ethnicity for its unparallel instance of the religious architecture in the world. Built by King Narasimhadeva in the 13th century, the glory of the Sun temple was worded aptly by poet Rabindranath Tagore as �here the language of stone surpasses the language of man�, justifying any tourist�s experience of Konark, which is impossible to translate into words. Konark is also famous for its stone and woodcarvings, patta paintings and appliqu� work of Pipli.

The Sun Temple at Konark marks the zenith of Orissa's temple architecture that was structurally innovative and visually enticing. The Konark Temple also marked the beginning of the end of the art and architectural style that would give Orissa a unique identity in a world full of copycats.

Built by King Narasimhadeva in the 13th century to mark his victory over the Mughal invaders, the Konark Temple is a colossal structure that now stands in ruins amidst the shifting sands. Once a shore temple built along the Bay of Bengal, the sea has shifted 2 km away from its earlier position making the Chandrabhaga Beach apt for picnics, swimming, boating and relaxing after your tour to Konark Temple in Orissa with Tourism of Orissa tour packages.

Approach : By air to Bhubaneswar. Konark is 65 km from Bhubaneswar and 25 km from Puri by road.

Stay : While many visitors prefer to stay at Puri or Bhubaneswar and make a day trip to Konark, excellent accommodation is available at Konark at the Panthanivas run by the Orissa Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) and the Yatri Nivas run by the Department of Tourism, Govt. of Orissa.

Places around Konark
Kuruma (8 km)*	8 km from the world famous Sun Temple of Konark, Kuruma is a small village. Recent excavations here have brought to light the reminiscence of some ancient Buddhist antiquities like the image of Buddha seated in Bhumisparsa Mudra along with the image of Heruka, and a 17 metres long brick wall (brick size: 22 cm X 17 cm). Scholars are of opinion that this was one of the sites containing Buddhist stupas described by Hiuen T'sang. The place is approachable by jeep.
Ramachandi (7 km)*	On the confluence of the river Kushabhadra and the Bay of Bengal, Ramachandi, the presiding deity of the Konark region is worshipped here with reverence. On the Marine Drive, the place is ideal for week-end picnic.
Astranga (35 km)*	Right on the sea-shore, it is 91 km from Puri and 10 km from Kakatpur. presents a panoramic view especially during sunset on a multi-coloured horizon as if to justify the literal meaning of its name. It is a centre of salt production and fishing.

* Indicates Distance from Konark