The main attraction of the place is the Konark Sun Temple decalred as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the year 1984. The temple is situated in the Konark village to the north of Puri in the coastal region of the Bay of Bengal. It has extensive stone carvings on the walls, many of them highly erotic. Though, the temple is under ruin due to heavy erosion its magnificience is still reflected in its architects.
concerns over the safety
Although Archeological Survey of India ASI are working on the restoration of this maginificent heritage structure implemented with masterly touch illustrating diverse themes arrest the attention of the spectator yet concerns were raised by different quarters in Odisha over the deteriorating condition of the Sun temple.
Legends describe load stone on the top of the Sun temple. Due to its magnetic effects, vessels passing through the Konark sea were drawn to it, resulting in heavy damage. Other legends state that magnetic effects of the load stone disturbed ships' compasses so that they did not function correctly. To save their shipping, the Portuguese voyagers took away the load stone, which was acting as the central stone and keeping all the stones, and the iron columns used to hold them walls together, of the temple wall in balance. Due to its displacement, the temple walls lost their balance and eventually fell down. But there is no record of this occurrence in any historical records, nor is there any record of the existence of such a powerful load stone at Konark Temple.
But the Konark Surakhya Samiti save Konark committee said that falling down of stones from the 13th century monument had turned âinto a regular featureâ. Chunks of masonry have fallen off at regular intervals. On September 19, 1998 a two-tonne cornice stone on the northeastern side of the jagmohan fell off onto a ledge. The interior of the jagmohan has been sealed off ever since 1951, when conservation work on the monument was seriously taken up for the first time. The walls were shored up from the inside and the interior was filled with sand to prevent imminent collapseâsuch was its tenuous state.
One reason why no major steps are being taken by the ASI officials is for fear it might lead to the total collapse of the crumbling temple.
other attractions
Though the Konark temple is the key tourist attraction in the area. However, if you wish to stay in Konark for a full-day it is advisable to spend other destination spots otherwise abandoned or see few visitation. If travelling by the OTDC or private tour operators - these destinations are either narrated by the bus operators or halted for approximately an hour during the trip.
Ramchandi Folk Tales
There are a number of popular stories involving Ramachandi as the chief goddess of the Konark kshetra and most probably Ramachandi was the presiding deity of this temple. There is also a popular story about why Ramachandi left Konark after the Muslim Suleman Kalapahad destroyed the Sun temple.
It is stated that after destroying the Sun temple, Kalapahad came to Ramachandi's temple in the back side of the Sun temple in south estern corner. The goddess Ramachandi dressed as a Maluni maid servant told Kalapahad to wait at the door till she returned with water for the goddess. Kalapahad waited anxiously to get some cold water for a long time. But when it was too late he entered into the temple and found the throne empty. Then he followed the Maluni with great anger thinking that the Maluni carried away the goddess. He reached the bank of the river Kushabhadra and found the goddess Ramachandi floating in the middle of the river. The river was as in full spate, he came back without being able to cross the river. Being advised by goddess in a dream, a Panda priest built a temple on the bank of the river Kushabhadra, near the sea shore which is a sandy deserted place.
Chandrabhaga Sea Beach
Situated 3km east of the famous Sun temple of Konark and 30km from Puri, Chandrabhaga is rich in its marine resources. A light house, close by Chandrabhaga is an added histronic to the splendour of the place. A climb to its top truely takes you to a world of utopia. A natural deer park is recent additions to the riches of Chandrabhaga. There is an anicient Matha believed to be the Ashram of Chandrabhaga's father and two small temples. The sight has asthetic and importance.Ramchandi Temple
Situated 7km enroute to Konark on the marine road from Puri. Ramachandi is popularly beleived the presiding deity of Konark. From the architectural point of view, the temple of Ramachandi is not important but from the religious point of view, it is one of the famous Sakta pithas of Puri. The beach is often crowded by local students as a romantic escapade or families picknicking on the weekend. The main temple along with its Mukhasala had been built on one platform of 3'.2 965 cm high. On the three sides of the temple walls i.e. south, west and north there were three figures of Sun god as side Gods. Now one can see these side gods in north and southern side, where as the figure of the western side has been displaced and is said to have been preserved in the National Museum at New Delhi. This image is said to have some sculptural specialisation and is regarded to be one of the beautiful images of the Sun god. Though smaller in size, the side-gods of this temple are of similar type in all respet with the side-Gods in the Sun temple. Only we find today the side images of the northern side is somewhat in good condition while the image in the southern side has no head and the hands broken.Kuruma
Situated 8km the south-east of the sun temple of Konark is a popular Buddhist site. site was built between 9th - 10th centuries A.D. The monastery, now abandoned, containing an exxcavated statue of Buddha seated cross legged with right hand in Bhumisparsa mudra while the left hand placed over his left knee. The image also wears a beautiful crown and a beautifully carved necklace.Pipili
Situated 23km from Konark, the small village of Pipli has a very wide and distinctive selection of handicrafts. It is a small village. On the main road at Pipili there are many shops selling Applique work products, tourist visiting Puri buy these products from Pipili.Goddess Mangala and Nabakalebar
During the renovation of deities of Puri new idols are created for Lord Jagannath, Balaram, and Subhadra. The new idols are created from a sacred wood known as 'Daru Brahma' in local language. Nobody knows from where to find the sacred wood to create the new idols, so as per the tradition the priests of Lord Jagannath temple come to Kakatpur Mangala to pray the Goddess to help them to find the sacred wood. The priests seelp in front of the Goddess with their face down and then Goddess Mangala come in their dream and tell the exact location of the three sacred trees for the three deities. This custom has been performed from years together without any deviation.
Kakatpur
Situated 30km from Konark is a small village on the Puri-Astaranga road. Situated on the bank of river Prachi, this temple is famous for Goddess Mangala. The Kakatpur Mangala temple has a close relation with Lord Jagannath temple of puri during the Navakalebara Renovation of the Deities festival. The most popular festival of Goddess Mangala is 'Jhamu Yatra'. It occurs on the first Tuesday of the Secred month Vaisakh April 14 to May 15 every year.