Konark Sun Temple

A UNESCO World Heritage Site of cultural significance, this temple was built seven hundred years ago by King Narasimha Dev in the 12th century. This grand temple dedicated to Sun God mesmerizes the tourists with its massive structure and splendid rock-cut architecture. The Konark temple is constructed by using three types of stones- (1) Laterite for the boundary wall, floor and staircase, (2) Khondalite for the main body and pillars and (2) Chlorite for the door frame.

According to expert archaeologists, the actual height of the Konark Sun Temple was about 227 feet, which makes it one of the tallest temples ever built in India. Although today only the entrance hall of the temple remains, while the sanctum sanctorum has almost collapsed. The other structure that still stands amidst the ruins is the Natya Mandapa. The destruction of this majestic temple is attributed to the ignorant and barbaric Muslim commander of the Bengal Sultanate, Kalapahar, who was earlier a Hindu but converted to Islam after marrying Gulnawaz, the notoriously promiscuous princess of Bengal.

The temple is designed as a chariot of Sun God. It has twenty-four carved wheels which represent the 24 hours of a day and seven horses which represent the 7 days of a week. The wheels are designed in such a way that the time of day can be told by looking at the shade of the wheels. Popularly known as Konark Chakra, these wheels are the hallmark of the temple and their replica is the most sought after souvenir amongst the visiting tourist.

The temple is also mentioned in the maps and papers of European sailors. They refer to it as "The Great Black Pagoda" because of the dark colour of the temple's roof. It was revered and respected as an important landmark for sailors as it helps the seafarers from getting lost in the sea while navigating through the treacherous water of the Bay of Bengal especially during violent sea storms.

Konark Sun Temple surpasses almost every single tourist attraction in India including even the Taj Mahal in popularity. On seeing this majestic sun temple for the first time people are known to utter words such as  "Amazing", "Splendid", "Breathtaking", "Impossible", "Incomparable", "Fantastic", and "Unimaginable"  to name a few. 

Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore is said to have uttered these famous words after seeing the grand Sun Temple at Konark - "Here the language of stone surpasses the language of mankind".

Opening times

1. The Konark Sun Temple also hosts a light and sound show every evening.
2. The program in Hindi is from 6:30 pm to 7:10 pm and in English from 7:30 pm to 8:10 pm.
3. The ticket price is Rs 50 per person.

Price:

The various fees applicable in Konark Sun Temple are as follows

Entrance fees

• Indian Tourist - Rs. 40 per person
• Foreign Tourist - Rs. 600 per person
• Kids under 15 years of age - Free
• Physically disabled Tourist -- Free

Camera Fee -

• Free (No Camera Fee)

Parking Fees

• Rs. 80 per Vehicle

Light & Sound Show (Optional )

• Rs. 50 per person