Konark (କୋଣାର୍କ) is a small coastal town in Odisha's Puri district, famous for the 13th-century Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the form of the chariot of the Sun god Surya. Most travellers visit Konark as a day trip from Puri or Bhubaneswar to see the temple's carved wheels and sculpture, and some time their trip for the Konark Dance Festival in December.

This is a visitor guide. For the temple's history, architecture and the story of its collapse, read our detailed page on the Konark Sun Temple.

What is there to see in Konark?

The Sun Temple

The Sun Temple was built during the reign of the Eastern Ganga king Narasimha Deva I (1238–1264 CE) and was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. The structure is conceived as a huge stone chariot with 24 carved wheels. Sources differ on the number of horses: UNESCO's short description mentions six, while its longer historical note refers to seven. The main sanctuary tower has collapsed; what visitors see today is the great audience hall (jagamohana), the separate dance hall (nata mandira) and the platform and wheels of the vanished tower.

Spend time walking around the base: the wheels, the friezes of elephants and the scenes of daily life, music and dance are the highlights. Licensed guides are available at the entrance and help to read the sculpture.

The temple is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Entry is by ticket, which can usually be bought online or at the counter; check the ASI ticketing site for the current fee and hours before you go.

Sun Temple Museum (ASI)

Run by the Archaeological Survey of India, the site museum displays sculptures and fragments recovered from the temple. It helps to visit it before or after the monument to see carvings at eye level.

Chandrabhaga beach

Chandrabhaga beach lies a short drive from the temple and is the venue of the annual International Sand Art Festival. On Magha Saptami (January or February, depending on the lunar calendar), large numbers of pilgrims gather here before sunrise for a holy dip and prayers to the Sun god.

Ramachandi and the Marine Drive

The Puri–Konark Marine Drive runs along the coast past casuarina groves and beaches. The Ramachandi temple lies about 7 km before Konark, and Balighai beach is around 14 km from Puri on the same road.

When is the best time to visit Konark?

  • October to February offers pleasant weather for exploring an open-air site with little shade.
  • 1 to 5 December: the Konark Dance Festival, started in 1989 by Odisha Tourism and the Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademi, presents Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Manipuri and other classical forms in an open-air auditorium with the temple as the backdrop. The International Sand Art Festival runs at Chandrabhaga beach on the same dates. See the planned guide to the Konark Dance Festival.
  • March to June is hot and the stone courtyards become very warm by midday; go early in the morning.
  • Monsoon (roughly July to September) brings rain, but the temple can still be visited between showers.

How do I reach Konark?

  • By air: Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar, about 65 km away.
  • By rail: The nearest major railhead is Puri, about 34 km away. Bhubaneswar station is the other convenient option.
  • By road: Buses and taxis run from Puri along the Marine Drive and from Bhubaneswar via Pipili. A Puri–Konark–Bhubaneswar loop is easy to do in one day by car.

What food should I try around Konark?

Konark has simple restaurants and stalls near the temple rather than a distinctive local cuisine. Try an Odia thali with dalma, fresh fish curry on the coast, and carry back khaja or chhena poda from Puri or Pipili.

Etiquette and rules

  • The Sun Temple is a monument, not a place of active worship, so it is open to visitors of all faiths.
  • Do not climb on the platform sculptures or wheels, and do not touch or lean on carvings; follow ASI signage on restricted areas.
  • Check ASI signage at the gate for current rules on photography, tripods and drones; commercial shoots need prior permission.
  • Some sculptures on the temple are erotic in theme. They are an accepted part of the temple's art, and visitors are expected to view them respectfully.

Nearby places

Plan your visit

Konark fits easily into a day trip from Puri or Bhubaneswar, and it is one corner of Odisha's Golden Triangle with Puri and Bhubaneswar. If you are coming for the December festival, book accommodation in Puri or Konark early. To get a day-by-day plan for your dates, request a custom itinerary at /travel/plan.