Konark Sun Temple - Timings, Tickets and Visit Guide
ॐ सूर्याय नमः - यात्रा की पूरी जानकारी
Opening hours, fees, rules, what to see, and tips for every age group.
Konark is not like a normal temple visit. It is a protected monument looked after by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). You walk around the stone chariot on your own, there is no queue for a sanctum, and you can take your time. This page gives you the practical facts: timings, tickets, dress, photos, best season, and a simple plan for the day.
This is Page 2 of our 6-page Konark guide. For the story behind the carvings, read Page 1.
Check before you go: Fees, timings and show details can change. The figures below come from the ASI Must See Monuments page, Odisha Tourism and news reports, and were last checked on 13 October 2026. Please confirm at the ticket counter or on the ASI website.
Visit at a Glance
एक नज़र में
Timings and ticket prices
| Timings | Sunrise to sunset every day, as listed by the ASI. Many travel sites quote 6 AM to 8 PM, so arrive early and ask at the gate. |
| Ticket: Indian citizens | Rs 40 per person (cash). The ASI lists Rs 35 if you buy online. |
| Ticket: SAARC and BIMSTEC | Rs 40 per person (cash), same as Indians |
| Ticket: other foreign visitors | Rs 600 per person (cash). Rs 550 online. |
| Children | ASI monuments usually allow children up to 15 years free. Please confirm at the counter. |
| Where to buy | At the ASI counter at the entrance or online through the ASI ticket portal |
| Time needed | 2 to 3 hours for the monument, plus 30 to 45 minutes for the museum |
| Entry rule | Open to all visitors of every faith |
What to See, Stop by Stop
क्या देखें
A simple walking order that avoids doubling back
1. Entry path and the Natya Mandapa
As you enter, you reach the raised stone platform of the dance hall (Natya Mandapa). Its pillars are carved with dancers and musicians. The hall was meant for temple dance. Today the Konark Festival is held in an open-air hall nearby, not on this stone platform.
2. The big war horse and elephant sculptures
Near the platform stand two giant sculptures of horses and elephants over fallen soldiers. They are among the most photographed carvings at Konark. They are also easy to miss if you rush to the main hall, so look for them early.
3. The Jagamohana, outside only
This assembly hall is the main standing building. Its pyramid-style roof has stepped layers and the walls carry rows of sculpture. You can walk around the outside. The inside was filled with sand in 1903 and is not open to visitors at the time of our latest check, so please do not rely on any travel site that says you can go in.
4. The wheels
There are 24 wheels, carved on the base. Walk along the north and south sides and look at several of them. Some are clearer than others. Local guides can show how the shadow of the hub is used to read the time.
5. The three Surya images
Dark chlorite stone images of Surya are set in niches on the sides of the main tower. They stand out because they are made from a different, darker stone. Cameras with zoom help here.
6. Smaller shrines and the museum
Behind the main temple you can see the remains of the Mayadevi (Chhayadevi) temple and a Vaishnava temple. The ASI Archaeological Museum near the complex keeps loose carvings and fragments that were found on site. Museum days and hours can differ from the monument. Ask at the gate before you plan around it.
Light and Sound Show
प्रकाश और ध्वनि कार्यक्रम
Evening option
Konark has had an evening light and sound show that tells the story of the temple using lights on the monument. A 2020 news report gave the ticket as Rs 50, the length as about 40 minutes, and the languages as Odia, Hindi and English. Show times and prices may be different today, and shows can stop for weather, repair work or events. Please confirm at the ticket counter or with Odisha Tourism on the same day.
Konark Festival 2026
कोणार्क महोत्सव
Dance by the temple, 1 to 5 December 2026
| Dates | 1 to 5 December 2026 |
| Place | Konark Open Air Auditorium, Konark, with the Sun Temple in view |
| What | Classical dance and music such as Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Manipuri, Kathak and Kuchipudi. Running since 1986. |
| Tickets | The Incredible India page points to utsav.gov.in for tickets |
| Also nearby | A crafts mela at Urban Haat, Konark and the International Sand Art Festival near Chandrabhaga Beach, as listed by Incredible India |
| Tip | Hotels fill up fast. Book early if you plan to attend. |
Dress Code, Rules and Photos
नियम और सुझाव
What is allowed and what is not
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Dress code | No strict dress code at the ASI monument. Dress modestly, since carvings and local custom call for respect. Shorts and sleeveless tops are not banned but are not ideal. |
| Footwear | Wear comfortable shoes or sandals with grip. You walk on stone and grass for a few hours. You do not need to remove footwear in the main complex. |
| Sun and heat | Little shade. Carry water, a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. |
| Photos | Still photography is generally allowed in ASI monuments. Tripods, commercial shoots and drones need ASI permission and are usually refused. Flash is not advised near old carvings. |
| Do not | Climb on the carvings, touch fragile panels, sit on old walls, or write on the stone |
| Food and water | Carry a bottle. Small stalls and eateries are outside the gate. Avoid eating inside the complex. |
| Guides | ASI-approved guides wait near the entrance. Ask to see the ID card and agree on the price before you start. |
Best Time to Visit
सबसे अच्छा समय
Season and time of day
| Season | Months | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Best | October to February | Cooler weather, clear skies. The Konark Festival falls in early December. |
| Good | March | Warm but still usable in the early morning |
| Hot | April to June | Very hot and humid. Go at sunrise or late afternoon. |
| Wet | July to September | Monsoon rain and a risk of cyclones. Check weather alerts. |
Best time of day: Go early. The light is soft, it is cooler, and there are fewer people. Late afternoon is the second best time, but remember that tickets and entry stop around sunset.
Help and Safety
मदद और सुरक्षा
Things that make the day easier
- Emergency number for police, fire or ambulance in India: 112.
- Konark is small. Bigger hospitals are in Puri (about 35 km) and Bhubaneswar (about 65 km). Keep medicines for heat, upset stomach and travel sickness with you.
- Elderly visitors: the ground is uneven and the stone gets hot. Ask the ASI staff at the entrance about wheelchair access, as it can vary.
- Keep ID and some cash. Not every small shop takes cards or UPI reliably.
- Fix the price before using an auto or taxi. Ask your hotel for a fair rate.
- Keep your bag zipped and your phone in a front pocket in crowded spots, like in any tourist place.
A Simple One-Day Plan from Puri
एक दिन की योजना
Leave early, return for evening darshan in Puri
| Time | Plan |
|---|---|
| 6:00 AM | Leave Puri by taxi on the coast road, about 35 km, around 1 hour |
| 7:00 AM | Reach Konark, buy your ticket, start with the Natya Mandapa and the horse sculptures |
| 7:30 to 9:30 AM | Walk around the Jagamohana, the wheels and the Surya images |
| 9:30 to 10:15 AM | Museum if open, then a cold drink and breakfast |
| 10:30 AM | Chandrabhaga Beach, then return to Puri by about 1 PM |
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers
What are the Konark Sun Temple timings?
What is the entry fee for Konark Sun Temple?
Can we go inside the main hall at Konark?
Is photography allowed at Konark?
Is there a dress code?
How many hours do I need at Konark?
When is the Konark Festival 2026?
Konark Sun Temple - Complete Guide (6 pages)
- Page 1: History, Story and Architecture
- Page 2: Timings, Tickets and Visit Guide (you are here)
- Page 3: Places to Visit Near Konark
- Page 4: How to Reach Konark
- Page 5: Complete Guide Hub
- Page 6: Fact Check, True or False
Plan your Odisha trip
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Sources and further reading
- ASI Must See Monuments: Sun Temple, Konark (asimustsee.nic.in) for timings and ticket prices
- Incredible India: Konark Festival 2026 (incredibleindia.gov.in)
- Odisha Tourism (odishatourism.gov.in)
- OdishaBytes news report, 11 December 2020, on the light and sound show restart (price and length may have changed)
- Wikipedia: Konark Sun Temple, for the sand removal work that began in September 2022
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