<a href="https://universaladventures.in/travel-guide/top-5-places-to-visit-in-konark" target="_blank">Konark</a> is a medium town in the <a href="https://universaladventures.in/city/Puri" target="_blank">Puri</a> district in the state of <a href="https://universaladventures.in/state/Odisha" target="_blank">Odisha</a>, India. It lies on the coast by the Bay of Bengal, 60 kilometers from the capital of the state, <a href="https://universaladventures.in/travel-guide/a-guide-to-bhubaneswar" target="_blank">Bhubaneswar</a>. It is the site of the 13th-century Sun Temple, also known as the Black Pagoda, built in black granite during the reign of Narasimhadeva-I. The temple is a World Heritage Site. The temple is now mostly in ruins, and a collection of its sculptures is housed in the Sun Temple Museum, which is run by the Archaeological Survey of India. Konark is also home to an annual dance festival called Konark Dance Festival, devoted to classical Indian dance forms, including the traditional classical dance of Odisha, Odissi. The state government is also organising the annual Konark Festival and International Sand Art Festival at Chandrabhaga Beach of Konark.

Built by King Narsimhadeva I of the Ganga Dynasty, the Sun Temple is counted among the 7 wonders of India. The temple was built in the shape of a chariot with pillars and wheels and was completed around 1250 AD. The temple is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is located at the mouth of the river Chandrabhaga but due to the receding of the water line is now pretty far from the river’s shores.
 
Traveller Information:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Famous for: Temple, Architecture and nature&nbsp;</li>
<li>Best Time to Visit: September to March&nbsp;</li>
<li>Duration:1hr</li>
</ul>

The Museum was established in 1968, with the purpose of housing the archaeological excavations and the fallen sculptures from the Sun temple. The gallery contains a number of antiquities which are displayed in 4 different galleries. The antiquities include various sculptures, paintings, manuscripts, and various fallen parts from the Konark Sun Temple.
 
Traveller Information:
<ul>
 <li>Famous for: Museum, culture, and nature</li>
 <li>Best Time to Visit: September to March</li>
 <li>Duration: 40min</li>
</ul>

The Ramachandi Temple is located at the banks of the Kushabhadra River which flows into the Bay of Bengal from this spot. The main deity of the temple is the Goddess Ramachandi which is one of the most famous temples in Konark. The surroundings also make it a wonderful picnic spot and are rich with a variety of bird species and pleasant views.
 
Traveller Information:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Famous for: Temple, religious feeling and scenery&nbsp;</li>
<li>Best Time to Visit: September to March&nbsp;</li>
<li>Duration: 40 min</li>
</ul>

A relatively unknown Buddhist site, Kuruma is located 8 kilometers from the famous Sun Temple. Kuruma is one of the major archaeological excavation sites in Orissa and is mentioned in several Buddhist texts from Asoka and Ceylon and also appears in the writings of the Chinese traveler Hieun Tsang. The origin of the site is dated to between the 8th-9th century AD and is a must-visit for everyone who likes to explore the history of India.
 
Traveller Information:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Famous for: Location, archaeology, and history&nbsp;</li>
<li>Best Time to Visit: September to March&nbsp;</li>
<li>Duration: 1-2hr</li>
</ul>

Located at a distance of 19 kilometers from Konark, and is a famous picnic spot and fishing village near Konark. The best time to visit the place is during the sunset when one can experience the panoramic and multi-hued horizon. The place is great for photographers and is a major center for fishing and salt production in Konark. Despite being a small town, Konark is one of India’s archaeological gems. While most know Konark for its famous Sun Temple, there are several things that one can discover about this ancient town upon his visit. The above-mentioned places are the best of the places you will come across and must definitely be visited.
 
Traveller Information:
<ul>
 <li>Famous for: Archaeology, picnic spot, and nature</li>
 <li>Best Time to Visit: September to March</li>
 <li>Duration: 1day</li>
</ul>

The name Konark literally means the Sun and refers to the famous 13th-century Sun Temple. The town is located near the Bay of Bengal and is known for its various ancient temples and monuments. Konark was also one of the few places in India to experience a total solar eclipse, it is also one of the must-visit places in Orissa. The place is again best visited during the months between October and January when the weather is the most pleasant and cool. Here’s the list of the best places one can visit in Konark.

Top 5 Places to Visit in Konark

India > Odisha > Puri

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