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Konark is the place where language of Stone
defeats to the language of man. Built by Raja Narsimha Deva of the
Ganga dynasty, in the 13th century AD, is famous for its majestic
temple of the Sun God. Konark is 32 Kilometers far from Puri. It is
the culmination of Orissan temple architecture.
The black granite of its structure named it as Black
pagoda. Today the main sanctum is in ruins, but the Dance Hall and
Audience Hall are intact. The temple resembles a colossal chariot,
with 24 wheels, pulled by seven straining horses, and has a
three-tiered pyramidal roof topped off by a fine spire, two lion’s
guard the entrance, and many more. Every aspect of life is
represented and the erotic imagery depicts the sublimation of human
love manifested in countless forms. There are three images of the
Sun God, positioned to catch the first rays of the sun at dawn, noon
and sunset.
During Mughal attacked the temple, the priests removed
the image of the god Surya to Puri, where it has remained ever
since. The Kapila-samhita located at Konark the story of Samba’s
miraculous cure from leprosy by the help of sunray. The immense
backdrop of the Sun Temple looks breathtaking when illuminated in
the evening. The Vaishna Devi Temple and the Maya Devi Temple stand
to the West of the towers.
The Musium
The museum,
which is just outside the temple enclosure, houses sculptures and
carvings from the ruins of the Sun Temple.
Baligahi
Just 8
Kilometers away from the crowds of Puri, on the Marine Drive,
Balighai has excellent beach and the Sea Turtle Research center.
A secluded silver stretch, this girdled by casuarinas forests.
Its serene environs are an ideal getaway from the tensions of the
city life. The juxtaposition of gentle casuarina-lined river with
crashing, desolate ocean coast is a strange and extremely beautiful
one.
Beleswara
The temple, 16 Kilometers far from the Puri is named after Lord
Shiva. The temple is located in the Bay of Bengal. It’s a nice place
for picnic too.
Ramachandi
A beautiful spot, 7
Kilometers from Konark, Ramachandi is located at the confluence of
the river Kusabhadra and the Bay of Bengal. The deity of Konark,
Goddess Ramachandi, is worshipped here. The sun set in the beach,
will applauses to the heart of visitors at both places. Its serene
environs are an ideal getaway from the tensions of the city life.
Ghandrabhaga Beach
The Beach, 3 Kilometers away from the Konark temple along the Puri
road, is very picturesque and you can get the glimpses of the local
fishing fleet at work. The sunrise at this beach is a feast for the
eyes. The beach also an ideal site for a spot of sun-bathing. It is
sanctified to take bath on the Chandrabhaga Mela in the month
of February is a grand religious festival, when people bathe in this
pond and watch the sun rising over sea the next morning. The
currents can be strong here, so swimming can be
dangerous.
Kakatpur
Kakatapur
is 45 Kilometers from Konark, located in the Prachi valley and is
famous for its shrines of Goddess Mangala and Banadurga. Legend has
it that the directions for reaching the holy log, from which Lord
Jagannath's icon is created, comes from her. It has well
communicated to other places.
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