This crowning piece of Orissan architecture and sculpture, built in the 13th century, the golden era of Orissan art , is a poetry in stone and is on the World Heritage List. The temple is dedicated to Surya, the Sun God. Sculptures of Surasundaris, heavenly damsels, and beautifully-carved couples engaged in myriad modes of amorous union, with their incomparable charms, are an attraction for connoisseurs of art as well as for the casual tourist.
Bhubaneswar is the nearest airport - 65 Kms. Indian airlines has flights from Delhi, Calcutta, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Mumbai.
The nearest railheads are Bhubaneswar and Puri.Konark is 65 Kms. by road from Bhubaneswar and 35 Kms. from Puri. The drive from Puri along the sea is a very picturesque one. Public and tourist bus services and taxis are available.
It is highly advisable to make an early morning start from BNR Hotel after witnessing a splendid sunrise, to reach Konark well in time for breakfast. After a cool splash in the beautiful sea at Konark you'd be ready for a long day of adventurous exploration. Once the day starts to come to a close you will appreciate why the Sun Temple is so called, for different moods of the sun can be experienced at the courtyards of the temple. You may then proceed homewards so as to reach the Hotel(your home in Puri) by dinnertime.
Puri is one of the four holiest places of India. Located on the shores of the Bay of Bengal it has one of the finest beaches in the world. Puri is also known as the Land of Lord Jagannath, literally the Lord of the world. This town is famous for its artisans and craftsmen who produce a wide range of unique handicraft.
SRI JAGANNATH TEMPLE
This monument of 12th century A.D., 65metres high, stands in the heart of the city, reflecting the typical Kalinga style architecture. It holds Anand Bazaar, the biggest food(MAHA PRASAAD) market of the world.
Lord Jagannath is famous for His festival of chariots,popularly known as 'The Car Festival' an annual religious ritual in which hundreds of thousands of devotees from all over India and world participate. The Lord has, after his name, provided the English language with the word "Juggernaut"- Webster's Encylopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language,1996,(p. 773) and The New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary Vol. 1, 1993(p. 1460).
THE BEACH
The almost unending beach is unique for colorful sunrises and charming sunsets both on the same beach.Tourists have free and unrestricted access to the beach to bathe and laze for hours on its golden sands . The scene of hundreds of traditional fishermen, plying their catamarans and sail boats and drawing into their nets a rich catch of prawns,pomfret and other mouth watering seafood delicacies, is really eyecatching.