Konark Knowledge Guide

History

In 1559, Mukunda Gajapati came to throne in Cuttack. He aligned himself as an ally of Akbar and an enemy of the Sultan of Bengal, Sulaiman Khan Karrani. After a few battles, Odisha finally fell. The fall was also aided by the internal turmoil of the state. In 1568, the Konark temple was damaged by the army of Kalapahad, a general of the Sultan. Kalapahad is also said to be responsible for damages to several other temples during the conquest.

Tourism

Attractions in Konark

Konark temple: listed as one of the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO, the temples of Konark are the main attractions, providing a glimpse into the finest achievement of a lost masonry style. Chandrabhaga beach: one of the cleanest and most beautiful beaches in Odisha, it is the place of action for a lot of the legends behind Konark. Sun Temple Museum: run by the Archaeological Survey of India, the museum houses many of the artefacts from the temple.

Reaching Konark

Konark can be reached via a number of routes: Reach Bhubaneswar either by Flight or Train, and then take a bus or a taxi to Konark (64km from Bhubaneswar). Reach Puri by Train (Puri is well-connected to the rest of India), and then take a bus or a taxi to Konark (34km from Puri). Reach Puri by Train and take another Train to Konark (infrequent and not recommended).