Konark – The land of Sun and Sand !

                                     Konark –  this beautiful place situated in the state of Odisha, India is named after the famous Konark Temple that is dedicated to the Sun God. Konark interchangeably refers to the temple itself with an additional attraction nearby being the beach. The temple is an architecture marvel and one will be in awe just by the sight of it. It’s magnificence can be felt at the first sight of it. 

 

The temple depicts Odisha culture, heritage and architecture at its best. Built in the 13th century , Konark which literally means Sun , is constructed in the form of the chariot of the Sun God with 24 wheels and 7 horses. The temple has stood the test of time and though most of the temple is intact, the main temple where the presiding deity was is no longer accessible and a good part of it is in ruins and hence this world heritage site protected by UNESCO  can only be enjoyed from the outside.

The sculpture is so amazing and each corner is exemplifying. The chariot looks spectacular. I have been here multiple times both during day and night. While during the day one gets to see a wider and complete view of the temple whereas in night, though it looks spectacular with lights, the view is not as great in the darkness of the night. 

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

If you want to go for that amazing complete view of the temple but can manage the sun beating down on you which is apt since you are in the sun temple, go during the day. If your preference is to enjoy the calmness and lights and get to see a musical fountain , head here in the evening. If you are visiting this place, include Puri in your itenary which is around 31km from this place and is known for the famous Jagannath Puri Temple. A km away from Konark is the sandy beach with the Bay of Bengal in all its glory.

The water is clean but the beach is not , there are some sections that are free from plastic and waste while there are some that are not as clean.

Look out for those tiny little crabs in the sand or collect shells that are spread across the sand.

We were here during dawn and it was a pleasant sight watching the sun set while the moon was already up and shining.

Konark is around 70 km from Bhubaneswar and a drive of 100 mins should get you here. If you decide to go to Puri or visit Konark from Puri, the distance is 35km  and the marine drive along the coast between Puri and Konark is scenic and breathtaking ! 

The state of Odisha in the eastern part of the Indian Sub-continent has many such attractions that are amazing. My 2 weeks journey to this state was filled with some amazing food and travel experiences and visiting Konark is something I would cherish for a while !