Some of the Popular Tourist Destinations around Konark

Museum Run by Archaeological Survey of India

The original structure of the Konark Sun temple has been subjected to various types of environmental and manual destruction. So a modern visitor misses out the most of the original Odia architecture. You can always visit the museum run by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) just outside the temple compound. The museum has an excellent and rare collection of sculptures rescued from the ruins of the original monument. You can spend some time in the museum to appreciate the great effort of the team of architects headed by Bishu Maharana.

Chandrabhaga Beach

The Chandrabhaga beach is located in the coastal village of Chandrabhaga at 3 kilometers distance from the Konark Sun temple. Many people visit the beach to spend few moments of solitude, while other visit sport to take a dip in the sea for spiritual purposes. According to historians, the place has got its name from the Chandrabhaga River that was flowing towards the Bay of Bengal through the area near the Konark sun temple. You can visit the beach to experience a part of ancient history and heritage of the Odiyas.

Konark Ramachandi Temple

Similar to the Konark sun temple, the Ramachandi temple is also associated with a number of popular legends and folktales. Most of the people visit the temple, located on the Puri-Konark route, to worship Goddess Ramachandi, an incarnation of Devi Durga. However, the opinions of the historians differ when it comes to tracing the origin of the temple and its presiding deity. Some historians identify the temple as the earlier sun temple, whereas others identify the monument as the temple of Mayadevi, the consort of Lord Surya. However, a modern tourist can always worship Goddess Ramachandi by forgetting the conflicting opinions of the historians.

Beleshwar Shiva Temple

Beleshawar is famous for a Shaivite shrine, located on the Puri-Konark route. You can travel only 15 kilometers from Puri to see a wonderful beach covered with thick casuarinas trees. Along with offering their prayers to the presiding god, the tourists love to enjoy the lovely sunsets at the nearby beach. Many local and visiting tourists plan picnics to enjoy the lovely sceneries surrounding Beleshawar.

Puri
Puri is one of the most popular tourist destinations of Eastern India that does not require any specific description. You can plan a spiritual or devotional trip to the city of Lord Jagannath as one of the four dhams of Hindus, or plan an exciting family holiday in a beautiful beach town. Many international tourists prefer to stay in the quality restaurants and lodges of Puri and take a leisurely 35 kilometers trip to see the Konark sun temple. Whenever you are planning to explore the eastern coast on India, the tour schedule will remain incomplete without including the golden triangle of Puri, Konark and Bhubaneswar.