India is a well-recognized country worldwide for its rich culture, architectural magnificence, entangled carvings, and incredible places, which are the main attractions of the country; significantly, the popular Sun Temple Konark is also one of the ancient marvelous architecture, which is located about 35km 22 mi northeast from Puri City that situated on the shore of Bay of Bengal in Odisha. The main structure of the Sun Temple surfaces the representation of a 100-foot-long chariot with massive wheels and horses all engraved from stone. The temple was constructed in 1250 CE during the era of the Eastern Ganga King Narasingha Deva I, dedicated to the Sun God, Surya. Many stories and mysteries are encircling the 700-year-old Sun Temple, Konark. Both are solved and unsolved. Bisu Maharana architect the marvelous monument, and now it become a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Usually, India has plenty of ancient temples with ultimate and marvelous architecture that amaze today's engineers; still, the fascinating mysteries, folklore, and myths are only about Konark Sun temple, as it all is captivating. The doors of the mysterious Sun Temple have been closed for over 118 years, and the assembly hall has been shut with sand since 1991 to hide structural damage, which means visitors are restricted from accessing the temple from the inside. In the following information, you will discover the stances of locals and researchers that will woolshed some light on the strange, fascinating mysteries about the Sun Temple.
The magnificent ancient Konark Sun Temple is open seven days a week except for emergency conditions, although the research center and Archaeological Museum remain open throughout the year; thus, the research center is open from 8 a.m. to sunset, whereas the museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., except on Fridays. Visitors make sure to plan the visit during the opening/closing time of the temple to appreciate the spectacular architecture. Significantly, suppose you want to explore the temple with less crowd. In that case, it is recommended to visit the monument site early in the morning hours, before 10 am, and you will capture some mesmerizing moments.
To explore the glorious and most famed Odisha ancient monument, the Sun Temple, visitors may have to pay an entry fee that usually varies depending on the traveler's residential status, whether Indian, Foreigner/NRI, SAARC, or BIMSTEC country. To discover the diverse entry fee structure of the Sun Temple based on citizenship, you are recommended to check the following information.
Usually, tourists can visit the inexplicable Sun temple Konark throughout the year; However, the adequate time to visit the ancient monument depends on the choice of whether you wish to experience it is highly recommended to avoid traveling to the destination in extreme summer, else you won't be able to explore most of the utmost temple surroundings. Despite that, you should also be sure to visit the temple before sunset because entry during the night is restricted due to some strange, curious stories.
Glorious Sun Temple Konark is located in the Puri district, approximately 60 km from Bhubneshwar, the capital city of Odisha. Therefore, Konark is a well-recognized tourist destination because of the incredible ancient mysterious Sun Temple. If you plan to visit the iconic spot, it is well connected by road, train, and air, and all are reliable transportation modes. Consequently, you can choose the suitable option at your convenience.
By Air—The nearest Airport to Konark is the Biju Patnaik Airport, situated in Bhubaneshwar. The total distance of the Airport from Temple is 49.8km 31 miles, and it offers both connecting and direct flights from major cities like the Capital of India, Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata.
By Road—You can also visit here by road, as Odisha has well-connected highways that offer extraordinary transportation services. If you want to experience a long drive, take the road to the temple, and travelers can reach the destination by bus or taxi.
By Train—The closest Railway Station to Konark is Puri Railway Station, which is nearly only 30km away from the ancient temple. Trains from several cities, including Bhubneshwar, New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, can easily be found, and once you reach the station, you can take a cab to the destination.
The well-recognized Konark Sun Temple is a marvelous ancient monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site situated on the coastline of Odisha. Before planning a trip to Konark Sun Temple, you must know some interesting facts about the temple.
Konark Sun Temple, which Eastern Ganga King Narshimadev constructed, is dedicated to the Hindu God Sun. It is believed that the giant architecture represents the giant Chariot with wheels and horses; however, people said that the architecture's 24 wheels represent the 12 months of the Hindu Calendar and its seven horses pulling the Chariot. In addition, there are multiple stories behind the Sun Temple.
The popular temple is mainly dedicated to the Hindu God Surya. Its central complex architecture represents a 100-foot-long chariot with massive wheels and horses. However, it's all carved with stones, which amazes today's engineers.
Yes, the temple is worth visiting for history lovers and those who want to indulge in its rich cultural and ancient aura. However, the ideal time to visit is between 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm; otherwise, it depends on the weather conditions. Its sound and light show are mesmerizing. It was launched in 2017 by the UNESCO World Heritage Site organization, which is undeniably fantastic.
There is no specific dress code for visiting the Sun Temple, but it is recommended to dress modestly or wear traditional attire and remove shoes before entering the temple to respect the people's beliefs.