Konark Sun Temple - Complete Guide
ॐ सूर्याय नमः - कोणार्क पूरी गाइड
Start here. Six pages that cover history, visit, nearby places, travel and facts.
The Konark Sun Temple in Odisha is a 13th century monument built as a stone chariot of the Sun God. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the great works of Indian temple art. This page is the hub of our 6-page Konark guide. Use the table below to find the page that fits your plan.
About this guide: It is written by the Dekho Dham team using ASI, UNESCO, Odisha Tourism, news reports and published scholarship. We explain tradition as tradition and mark uncertain facts. Facts such as fees, timings and show details can change. Last checked: 13 October 2026.
Konark at a Glance
एक नज़र में
Master facts
| Place | Konark, Puri district, Odisha |
| Dedicated to | Surya, the Sun God (Arka) |
| Built | About 1250 CE, King Narasimhadeva I, Eastern Ganga dynasty |
| UNESCO | World Heritage Site, 1984, reference 246 |
| Timings | Sunrise to sunset (ASI). Confirm at the gate. |
| Tickets | Rs 40 Indians and SAARC or BIMSTEC. Rs 600 other foreign visitors. Online rates slightly lower. |
| Nearest airport | Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar, about 65 km |
| Nearest railway | Puri, about 35 km. No station at Konark. |
| Best time | October to February |
| Next big event | Konark Festival, 1 to 5 December 2026 |
| Live darshan | None for Konark. See Page 3 for a Puri Jagannath live stream. |
All Pages in This Guide
सभी पृष्ठ
Pick what you need
| Page | What you will find |
|---|---|
| History and Story | Who built it, Rig Veda and Purana links, the Samba and Dharmapada stories, the chariot design, the timeline of the fall and the sand filling |
| Timings and Tickets | ASI fees, timings, what to see in order, dress and photo rules, best season, light show, Konark Festival 2026, and a one-day plan |
| Nearby Places | Chandrabhaga Beach, Puri and a Puri live darshan stream, Raghurajpur, Bhubaneswar temples, Dhauli, Chilika and a 3-day plan |
| How to Reach | Flights, trains, buses, taxis, distances, the Puri-Konark rail line news and where to stay |
| Fact Check | 23 claims about Konark marked true, false, partial, context or tradition |
Plan by Your Time
अपने समय के अनुसार
Which page to read first
| If you have | Do this |
|---|---|
| 3 hours | Read Page 2 and visit the temple early in the morning. Add Chandrabhaga Beach. |
| 1 day from Puri | Follow the one-day plan on Page 2, then see Puri in the evening (Page 3). |
| 2 to 3 days | Use the 3-day plan on Page 3, with Bhubaneswar temples and Raghurajpur. |
| Travelling with elders | Read the Help and Safety and Best Time sections on Page 2. Hire a taxi from Puri and start early. |
| Travelling in early December | Book rooms early because of the Konark Festival (Page 2 and Page 4). |
Seven Tips Before You Go
सात सुझाव
Short and practical
- Start early. The morning light is soft and the heat is lower.
- Wear comfortable shoes and light cotton clothes.
- Carry water, sunscreen and a hat. There is little shade.
- Do not expect to go inside the main hall. Plan to see the outside.
- Ask for an ASI-approved guide and check the ID.
- Keep cash for small shops and tips.
- Check weather alerts in the monsoon.
Sun Worship Reading Corner
पढ़ने के लिए
Texts connected to the temple
Seven bay horses carry you in your chariot, O shining Sun.
Rig Veda 1.50.8. The seven horses on the Konark chariot reflect this image.
Other texts often connected to Sun worship are the Gayatri Mantra (Rig Veda 3.62.10) and the Aditya Hridayam in the Valmiki Ramayana. Read Page 1 for how these connect to the temple.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers
What is the Konark Sun Temple?
What are the Konark Sun Temple timings?
How much is the entry ticket?
How do I reach Konark?
When should I visit?
Is there a live darshan of Konark?
Konark Sun Temple - Complete Guide (6 pages)
Plan your Odisha trip
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Sources and further reading
- ASI Must See Monuments: Sun Temple, Konark (asimustsee.nic.in)
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Sun Temple, Konarak (whc.unesco.org/en/list/246)
- Odisha Tourism and Incredible India (odishatourism.gov.in, incredibleindia.gov.in)
- OdishaBytes (news on the light show and the Puri-Konark rail line)
- Rig Veda, Valmiki Ramayana and Puranic texts (tradition and texts)
- Our pages: History, Visit, Nearby, Reach and Fact Check
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