A 13th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the form of a colossal stone chariot for the Sun god Surya, no longer active for regular worship but among India's most celebrat…
A 13th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the form of a colossal stone chariot for the Sun god Surya, no longer active for regular worship but among India's most celebrated architectural monuments.
The temple was built around 1250 CE under King Narasimhadeva I of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, in the Kalinga style characteristic of Odisha's great temple-building tradition. Much of the main sanctum tower collapsed centuries ago, likely due to a combination of structural factors and possibly damage over time; what survives today — the audience hall (jagamohana) and the famous chariot base — was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984.
The entire temple is conceived as a gigantic chariot for the Sun god, with 24 elaborately carved stone wheels (each about 3 metres in diameter, functioning as sundials) and seven straining horses at the front, all rendered in intricate stone relief across the temple's base and walls, alongside a vast range of sculptural work depicting deities, royal life and everyday scenes.
Surya, the Sun god, is described in Puranic literature as riding a chariot drawn by seven horses across the sky each day; Konark's architects rendered this myth literally in stone, making the entire temple structure itself a devotional representation of Surya's chariot rather than a conventional shrine layout.
Visiting Hours | Start | End | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Daily Entry | 6:00 AM | 6:00 PM | Open | Open throughout the year |
Best Time to Visit | 6:00 AM | 9:00 AM | Recommended | Pleasant weather and ideal lighting for photography |
Evening Visit | 4:00 PM | 6:00 PM | Recommended | Beautiful golden-hour views |
Category | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Indian Citizens | ₹40 | Standard entry ticket |
Children (Below 15 Years) | Free | Valid ID may be required |
Foreign Nationals | ₹600 | Standard international visitor ticket |
Sound & Light Show | Separate Ticket | Available in the evening (subject to schedule) |
Facility | Availability | Description |
|---|---|---|
Guided Tours | Available | Licensed guides provide historical insights |
Audio Guide | Available | Self-guided tour in multiple languages |
Photography | Allowed | Photography permitted in open areas |
Wheelchair Access | Partial | Accessible pathways in major sections |
Parking | Available | Paid parking near the entrance |
Washrooms | Available | Located near the visitor entrance |
Item | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
Stone Miniatures | ₹100 onwards | Replicas inspired by the temple architecture |
Wooden Handicrafts | ₹100 onwards | Traditional Odisha craftsmanship |
Palm Leaf Paintings | ₹200 onwards | Handmade local artwork |
Brass Sun God Idols | ₹300 onwards | Decorative and devotional souvenirs |
Local Handloom Products | Varies | Odisha textiles and handicrafts |
Festival | Month | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
Konark Dance Festival | December | Internationally renowned festival featuring Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, and other classical dance performances against the backdrop of the illuminated Sun Temple. |
International Sand Art Festival | December | Spectacular sand sculptures by artists from India and around the world displayed near Chandrabhaga Beach. |
Magha Saptami (Chandrabhaga Mela) | January–February | Thousands of devotees take a holy dip at Chandrabhaga Beach at sunrise before visiting Konark. |
Konark Festival | December | Cultural programs showcasing Odisha's music, dance, handicrafts, and cuisine. |
World Tourism Day Events | September | Cultural performances and heritage awareness programs organized around the monument. |
Odisha Tourism Festivals | Throughout the Year | Various art exhibitions, handicraft fairs, and cultural events held in the Konark region. |
Item | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
Stone Miniatures | ₹100 onwards | Replicas inspired by the temple architecture |
Wooden Handicrafts | ₹100 onwards | Traditional Odisha craftsmanship |
Palm Leaf Paintings | ₹200 onwards | Handmade local artwork |
Brass Sun God Idols | ₹300 onwards | Decorative and devotional souvenirs |
Local Handloom Products | Varies | Odisha textiles and handicrafts |
Nearest airport: Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar (~65 km). Puri Railway Station (~35 km) is the more convenient railhead, with onward road travel to Konark.
No reviews yet — be the first to share your experience.
Thinking of visiting Konark Sun Temple? Share your travel dates and group size, and our travel desk will put together a personalised itinerary — transport, stay and darshan timings, all planned around this temple.
📍 Konark Sun Temple, Konark, Puri district area, Odisha 752111
Planning to stay overnight? Find places to stay near Konark Sun Temple.
Search Hotels on Booking.comKonark has a modest range of guesthouses and hotels; many visitors stay in nearby Puri, which has considerably more accommodation options, and take a day trip.
Puri's Jagannath Temple, Chandrabhaga Beach near Konark, and the Konark Archaeological Museum are all worth combining with a visit.
