Sun Temple, Konark is located on the shores of the Bay of Bengal and is one of the most renowned temples in Odisha, which has stood still despite decaying over the centuries. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is a Hindu Temple. The Sun Temple, Konark, is popularly known as Black Pagoda and also called Arka Khetra or Padma Khetra.
The chariot of the Sun that is the Sun Temple has 12 wheels, 10 feet in diameter, and is drawn by the 7 mighty horses. The Sun Temple is a must-visit to embrace the sensual sculptures and other architectural designs, made on the walls and roof of the temple.
The Sun Temple is also seen as the Jagmohan (assembly hall, Audience hall, or Mukhasala). The Sun Temple is worth visiting during the sunrise which will give you a beautiful view.
Sun Temple Konark Highlights
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Particulars |
Details |
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Name of the Temple |
Sun Temple, Konark |
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Address |
Konark, Odisha 752111 |
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Timings of the Temple |
6:00 AM to 8:00 PM |
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Entry fees |
Yes |
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Photography |
Non-commercial photography is free |
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Dedicated to |
Surya or Sun God |
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Also known as |
Surya Devalaya or Black Pagoda |
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Status |
UNESCO World Heritage Site |
Timings of the Sun Temple, Konark
The temple is open on all days and each week. To have Darshan at the temple there is a ticket price for darshan.
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Particulars |
Details |
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Timings |
6:00 AM to 8:00 PM |
Sun Temple, Konark Ticket Price
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Particulars |
Details |
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Entry fees for Indian (Adults) |
35 - 40 INR |
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Entry fees for Indian (Children below 15 years) |
Free |
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Entry fees for foreigners |
550 - 600 INR |
Sun Temple Konark Online Ticket Booking Link
You can book tickets online to save time standing in long queues. You can also get a discount when tickets are purchased online. To book tickets click on the link below:
Light and Sound Show at Sun Temple, Konark
The Sun Temple runs a light and sound show at the temple premises for about 45 minutes. The light show happens in the evening every day and usually, there are long queues. Kindly note that light show timings depend on the season.
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Particulars |
Details |
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Light Show Timings |
Mar to Nov: 7.30 - 8.10 pm; 8.20-9.00 pm |
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Nov to Feb: 6.30 - 7.10 pm; 7.20 - 8.00 pm |
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Light show Ticket Price |
Rs. 50 per person |
How to reach Sun Temple, Konark
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Particulars |
Details |
Distance to Temple |
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By Road |
Self-drive |
approx. 1849 km |
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By Railway |
Puri Railway Station |
approx. 30 km |
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By Airport |
Bhubaneswar Airport (also called Biju Patnaik International Airport) |
approx. 65 km |
Places to visit near Sun Temple, Konark
Konark Museum/Archaeological Museum
Konark Archaeological Museum is a must-visit if you want to know about the historical town of Konark, Odisha. Konark Museum offers artistic brilliance and the cultural heritage of the ancient Kalinga civilization. Konark Museum has 260 antiquities. The Museum has exhibits like carved sculptures of Surya Narayana, sundials, incarnations of Lord Vishnu, carved heads of crocodiles and lions, and sculptures of dancers, musicians, and sensual couples. The best part is that the entry fee is only 5 INR per person.
Konark Urban Haat
Konark Urban Haat is the best place to visit as a marketplace that showcases vibrant traditional local handicrafts. It has around 40 shops, 5 exhibition halls and an amphitheater which presents local handicrafts like Pattachitra, etc. Konark Urban Haat hosts two special events, namely, the Konark Dance Festival and International Sand Art Festival, held in December, and Crafts Mela, in which artisans display and sell local handicrafts. As you know, the marketplaces are free to enter.
Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary
Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary is situated along the coast of the Bay of Bengal between Puri and Konark. It is spread approx. 84 square kilometers and was established in 1984. The sanctuary has a diverse ecosystem, including cashew plantations, sandy beaches and coastal dunes. It is an excellent spot for nature enthusiasts, and it has blackbuck and spotted deer with other animals like hyenas, monkeys, ys, etc. One can do wildlife trails, nature walks, and photography to make it memorable. The best part of the Balukhand-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary is there are no entry fees.
Ramachandi Temple
Ramachandi Temple is the must-visit temple after the Sun Temple, Konark. The deity is Goddess Ramachandi who is in sitting posture on lotus and is a view to behold and the incarnation of Durga. The Ramachandi Temple believes that worshipping here can bless childless couples with children. The Ramachandi Temple is built in Orissan architecture. Devotees can offer prayers, explore intricate carvings, enjoy Casuarina plantation, etc. Temple has beautiful surrounding areas like Ramachandi Beach and Chandrabhaga Beach.
Astaranga Beach
Astaranga Beach translates into ‘colourful sunset’ and offers picturesque stunning sunset views and vibrant fishing culture. It has sandy shores and is a perfect place to relax and do photography. It is great to do birdwatching at Astaranga Beach during the nesting season of Olive Ridley turtles. The beach has lush Casuarina trees and attracts people of different faiths from Jahania Pir shrine which is close to Astaranga Beach.
Restaurants near Sun Temple, Konark
Waterfront Grill Cafe
Waterfront Grill Cafe is located at the Lotus Eco Beach Resort. It is one of the popular dining restaurants which attracts tourists and visitors. Waterfront Grill Cafe offers outdoor seating with scenic views of natural beauty, specializing in multi-cuisines with local Odiyan dishes, and Continental and Chinese food items with seafood as their highlights. The popular and must-try dishes are Prawn Malai Curry and Fish Tikka. The restaurant is family-friendly and includes all age groups with budget-friendly dishes.
Kamat Food Court
Kamat Food Court is located near the Sun Temple, Konark, and is the most selected stop to have their dining. The food court has a vibrant and cool atmosphere focusing on relaxation and comfort. Kamat Food Court offers Indian Cuisines with a focus on Odiyan food item specialties. The popular dishes of the restaurant are Dalma, Chhena Poda, and Aloo Dum. The Kamat Food Court is family-friendly, and the price of the food is moderate, which ranges from the catering of dishes. The environment reflects the local culture of the state of Odisha.
Hotel Chandrabhaga and Restaurant
Hotel Chandrabhaga and Restaurant offers a convenient stop to access the dining as it is located near the Sun Temple, Konark, and Chandrabhaga Beach, which offers lush greenery and a serene view with outdoor seating, which makes it memorable and is known for the quality of food. It also features Odiyan specialties with Indian cuisines. The specialty of the restaurant is the seafood dishes, which are caught from Chandrabhaga Beach and showcase the freshness of the seafood dishes. The popular dishes of the Hotel Chandrabhaga and restaurant are Crab Curry, Prawn Malaikari, and Machha Jhola. It is a family-friendly restaurant and is best for young diners.
Arkashree Silpi Batika
Arkashree Silpi Batika restaurant has a casual and welcoming dining atmosphere. It offers Indian cuisine with vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes with gluten-free and vegan options. If you are looking for a date, family dining, or hanging out with friends, you can go to Arkashree Silpi Batika restaurant. It offers free parking and is family-friendly.
Chandrabhaga Dhaba
Chandrabhaga Dhaba is the most popular dining place. It offers casual dining with minimalistic decoration and a simple interior. Chandrabhaga Dhaba provides Indian Cuisine with vegetarian dishes with North Indian flavors in the items. The popular dishes are Aloo Parantha, Dal Tadka, and Chhena Poda. The dhaba is family-friendly and offers reasonable prices for the dishes.
Hotels near Sun Temple, Konark
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Hotel name |
Address |
Price of room per night (INR) |
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Lotus Eco Resort Konark |
Konark-Puri Marine Drive Road, P.O. Khalkatapatna, near Ramachandi Temple, Konark, Odisha 752111, India |
5,957 INR |
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OTDC Yatrinivas, Konark |
V3RW+98P, Junei, Konark, Odisha 768001, India |
1,297 INR |
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Sun Temple Hotel (Konark) |
SUN TEMPLE, Bus Stand, near Konark, Konark, Odisha 7521111, India |
1,019 INR |
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Sand Castle |
34, Sun Temple Road, Market Complex, Bus Stand, 752111, Konark- Puri Rd, near Konark, Odisha 752111, India |
1,814 INR |
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Hotel Surya Inn |
Hotel Surya Inn, Sun Temple, near Konark, Ranihatsahi, Konark, Odisha 752111, India |
1,534 INR |
Points to remember before visiting Sun Temple, Konark
- Dress modestly
- Do not sit on structures, carve something, or enter closed areas
- Visitors and Devotees can do photography with mobile phones.
- You can see the temple from the outside only.
- You can take guides near the temple for a cost. However, remember to bargain.
- The temple has a wheelchair accessibility gate and parking lot.
- The best time to visit is between October and March
About Sun Temple, Konark
The Sun Temple is dedicated to the Surya god, as its name suggests, and was built in 1250 AD by King Narasimhadeva of the Eastern Ganga dynasty, with the help of 1200 artisans as he used to worship the Sun god. The temple is designed in the Odisha or Kalinga style of architecture. The materials used in the construction of Sun Temple, Konark, are the Chlorite, Laterite, and Khondalite rocks and are spread over approximately 2.62 acres.
Sun Temple, Konark is a popular tourist attraction. The word Konark is made up of two words ‘Kona’ which means Corner and ‘arka’ which means Sun. It stands for Sun of the Corner and is therefore called Arka Khetra. These have four Khetra regions.
It is believed that after Lord Vishnu killed demon Gyasur he took his belongings and placed them at various places. These are Sanka (conch) in Puri, Chakra (disc) in Bhubaneswar, Gada (mace) in Jaipur, and Padma (lotus) in Konark and hence called Padma Khetra.
Frequently Asked Questions
Ques) What are the visiting hours of the Sun Temple?
Ans) The visiting hours at Sun Temple are 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The Temple is open all day.
Ques) Is photography allowed inside the Temple?
Ans) Yes, photography is allowed in the temple and it is free.
Ques) What is the significance of the Temple?
Ans) The significance of the Temple is that it is a historical temple that depicts the rich cultural heritage of India.
Ques) What can be seen around the Sun Temple, Konark?
Ans) The Sun Temple is surrounded by the lush greenery and the Chandrabhaga Beach adds to the scenic beauty with a variety of flora and fauna.
Ques) From where we can buy the tickets?
Ans) The tickets for anything can be bought either online or from the temple premises.
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