The Konark Sun Temple in Odisha was built in the 13th century as a huge stone chariot for the Sun god, with twelve pairs of carved wheels pulled by seven horses. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed in 1984) and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) runs it as a ticketed monument. The sanctum and the dance hall have lost their roofs, so you walk through ruins rather than a working temple.
Quick facts
| Opening hours | Sunrise to sunset (ASI) |
| Entry fee | Children below 15: free. Visitors from the SAARC and BIMSTEC countries ASI lists: ₹40 in cash or ₹35 online. Other foreign visitors: ₹600 in cash or ₹550 online. ASI’s Konark page does not state a separate rate for Indian citizens, so check the current rate at the ticket counter or on ASI’s ticketing page before you go. |
| Light and sound show | Closed every Monday (OTDC). Odisha Tourism’s booking site lists a 7:30 pm start with tickets from ₹50. Timings can change with the season, so check Book Odisha before you plan the evening. |
| Konark Dance Festival | 1 to 5 December every year (Puri district) |
| Distance | 35 km from Puri, about 60 km from Bhubaneswar |
What to see inside the complex
ASI describes the temple as a giant solar chariot with 12 pairs of ornamented wheels, which makes 24 wheels in all. The original plan had a sanctum with a tall tower, a hall in front of it (the jagamohana) and a separate hall for dance (the nata-mandira) on the same line. The sanctum and the dance hall are roofless today, while the jagamohana still stands on the common platform, which is covered in sculpture.
Two smaller structures stand in the same compound. The Mayadevi Temple to the west is assigned to the late 11th century and is older than the main temple. A small brick Vaishnava temple in the south-west corner was found in 1956 during sand clearance, and its sculptures are now in the Archaeological Museum at Konark. Details are on ASI’s Konark page.
Light and sound show
The evening show uses narration, projection, music and lasers to tell the temple’s story, and Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) runs it. It does not run on Mondays. Book through bookodisha.com, and check the start time for your travel month, because the time shown in October may not be the winter time.
How to reach Konark
- By air: Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar is the nearest, about 60 km away.
- By rail: Puri is the nearest railway station, 35 km from Konark.
- By road: Regular buses, taxis and autos run from Bhubaneswar and from Puri, according to the Puri district portal.
Many visitors stay in Puri and visit Konark as a day trip.
Konark Dance Festival
The Konark Dance Festival is held from 1 to 5 December each year against the temple as a backdrop, with classical dance forms including Odissi. Programme details and passes are announced closer to the date, so follow Odisha Tourism for updates. Book rooms early if you plan to be there in December.
Where to stay
Puri has the widest choice of hotels and is 35 km away. Search below, or see our Hotels & Stays page.
Frequently asked questions
What are the opening hours?
ASI lists the monument as open from sunrise to sunset.
How much is the entry ticket?
Entry is free for children below 15. For visitors from the SAARC and BIMSTEC countries ASI lists, the fee is ₹40 in cash or ₹35 online. Other foreign visitors pay ₹600 in cash or ₹550 online. Check the Indian citizen rate at the counter or on ASI’s ticketing page, as it is not stated on ASI’s Konark page.
Is the light and sound show open every day?
No. OTDC says it stays closed every Monday.
When is the Konark Dance Festival?
From 1 to 5 December every year.
How far is Konark from Puri and Bhubaneswar?
It is 35 km from Puri and about 60 km from Bhubaneswar.
Fees, show timings and festival programmes can change. The links above go to the ASI, Odisha Tourism and Puri district pages that publish the current details. For a coast-and-temple trip that includes Puri, see our Hotels & Stays page or call +91 91105 83839.
About the Author
Vikram Reddy
Vikram Reddy contributed travel content to Xploreall in 2025. That engagement has ended, and content on this site is now researched, written, and verified directly by the Xploreall team — see our Editorial Policy for how we source and fact-check our articles.
