About Sun Temple- History, Architecture, Opening & Closing Timings and Ticket Price

About Sun Temple Konark- History, Architecture, Opening & Closing Timings and Ticket Price

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.

Several Mysteries about the Sun Temple:

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.

• Some said that the temple is not worshiped as the Eastern Ganga King Narasimhadeva had given the time limit to complete the construction of the monument, which Dadhi Nauti missed, led to putting the lives of 1200 workers and the chief architect Bishu Maharana in endangerment. Thus, to save the lives of workers and architecture, one day, suddenly, a boy named Dharampada appears, who claims to be Bishu Maharana's son, and jumps from the top of the temple into the Chandrabagha River to transpose the King's ego Since the temple is not worshiped.
• One of the most enchanting mysteries about the temple was that God's idol dangled in the Air; however, some claim that it is because of magnets used in its construction. The mystery remains unresolved until people are familiar with the fact that it happened due to the magnetic field from all four sides. Some people say the idol was removed by the Portuguese sailors in the 16th century, which led to the temple's destruction, although it has not been historically proven.
• Other mysteries about the ancient architecture are that the temple is haunted by the voices of devadasis, dancer girls, and those who spent nights in the temple; however, some say the wheel of the temple depicts the 12 months of the Hindu Calendar.  

Sun Temple Opening/Closing timings:

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.

Sun Temple ticket price:

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. 

• The Sun temple entry fee for Indian tourists is INR 50 per person.
• Foreign visitors should have to pay INR 600 as Sun Temple Entry fee. 
• There is no entry fee for children under 15 years of age. 

Best time to visit Sun Temple:

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.

• Gratifying weather - The prime time to indulge in the immense beauty of the Sun Temple is during the winter season between October to February, as the weather is pleasurable, with merciful temperatures and stunning skies. These months let you explore the beautifully engraved carvings comfortably.
• Festivals—For those seeking to experience the Konark Dance Festival and its local culture, it is best to visit during the festival season, which is usually held in early December.
• Summer Season—It is recommended to avoid traveling between March and June as the weather can be red-hot, which is not pleasant and favorable for outdoor activities.

How do you reach the Sun Temple Konark?

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. 

Facts about Konark Sun Temple:

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.

• It is the largest Sun temple in India, built in the 13th century during the Eastern Ganga dynasty. Its stunning architecture, including a massive chariot with 24 wheels and seven horses, depicts the perfect illusion of the movement of the Sun across the Sky.
• The temple construction was initiated by King Narasimha of the Eastern Ganga Era, possibly to celebrate the victory over the Muslim conquer of Bengal.
• The Sun Temple carvings represent Hindu divine beings, Apsaras, animals, Erotic scenes, and scenes of ancient daily life.
• The main complex of the temple consists of three parts: the Nata Mandir, also known as the Dance Hall, the Jagamohana ( Assembly Hall), and the Vimana (sanctum sanctorum). 
• Therefore, the Sun Temple main complex is bordered by a giant wall that is nearly 20 feet long and has two gateways, although the British destroyed one of the gateways during the 19th century. 
• The temple has encountered substantial vandalism over the centuries because of massive natural calamities and invasions, but temple mending continued until the 20th century to preserve its beauty and magnificence. 
• The temple is extremely mysterious, and there are several fascinating myths and mysteries; however, some are resolved, and few remain unsolved. 

Most Searched Questions about Sun Temple

What is the story behind the Sun 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.

Which god is in 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.

Is Sun Temple worth visiting?

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.

What is Sun Temple's dress code?

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.