Feb 24, 2016 01:11 PM
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Being on Oriya, it gives me immense pleasure to write a review on one of the oldest historical monument of my state, Konark Sun Temple, located at 35 kilometers from Bhubaneswar, the state capital of Orissa and at 40 kilo meters from the holy town of Puri from the other direction. This temple was built in the thirteenth century by king Narasimhadeva who belonged to Eastern Ganga dynasty. This temple encompasses thousand year history of the state. It is built to rest on twelve pairs of wheels made of stones only that gives a view of a car from a distance. Absolutely no cement was used to construct this amazing temple. It was in the beginning situated just on the bank of river Chandrabhaga, but now the river has gone away from the temple by 800 meters or so. The temple faces to east as it was constructed so that the first ray from sunrise would fall on to the sun God established in the heart of the temple. Everyday, thousands of tourists visit this temple. There are professional guides to guide the tourists through the temple and they charge very less, approximately Rupees 100 for a group. Photographs at the temple are allowed. Orissa Tourism Development Corporation(OTDC) everyday organizes package tours to Lord Jagannatah's temple at Puri and then coming back to Konark along the marine drive with beautiful natural scenery around. This place is most attractive during full moon nights as moon seems to jump to river Chandrabhaga viewed from in front of this temple. There are hundreds of shops nearby selling goods of historical importance. One day is enough to visit the temple. However, there are many luxurious hotels to accommodate tourists who desire to spend a night there. The approaching roads to Konark have been renovated two years back from both sides, Bhubaneswar as well as Puri which offer a comfortable drive. The best time to visit Konark Temple is a full moon night during anytime in a year.
