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{{EngvarB|date=September 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Konark
| other_name =
| nickname =
| settlement_type = Town
| image_skyline = Konark Temple Panorama2.jpg
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Sun temple, Konark
| pushpin_map = India Odisha#India
| pushpin_label_position =
| pushpin_map_alt =
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Odisha, India
| coordinates = {{coord|19|53|27|N|86|06|01|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Odisha]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Puri district|Puri]]
| government_type =
| governing_body =
| unit_pref = Metric
| elevation_footnotes =
| elevation_m = 2
| population_total = 15015
| population_as_of = 2001
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym =
| population_footnotes =
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Odia language|Odia]]
| timezone1 = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1 = +5:30
| postal_code_type = 
| postal_code =
| registration_plate = OD
| website = http://konark.nic.in
| footnotes =
}}

'''Konark''' is a medium town in the [[Puri district]] in the state of [[Odisha]], [[India]]. It lies on the coast by the [[Bay of Bengal]], 65 kilometres from the capital of the state, [[Bhubaneswar]].<ref name=approach>{{cite web|title=Konark, Official Website (Approach)|url=http://konark.nic.in/approach.HTM|access-date=25 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512093048/http://konark.nic.in/approach.HTM|archive-date=12 May 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is the site of the 13th-century [[Konark Sun Temple|Sun Temple]], also known as the ''Black Pagoda'', built in black [[granite]] during the reign of [[Narasimhadeva I|Narasinghadeva-I]]. The temple is a [[World Heritage Site]].<ref name=unesco>{{Cite web|title=World Heritage List: Sun Temple, Konârak |author=UNESCO |year=1984|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/246 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403190240/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/246/ |archive-date=3 April 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> The temple is now mostly in ruins, and a collection of its sculptures is housed in the Sun Temple Museum, which is run by the [[Archaeological Survey of India]].

Konark is also home to an annual dance festival called [[Konark Dance Festival]], devoted to classical Indian dance forms, including the traditional classical dance of Odisha, '''[[Odissi]]'''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://konarkfestival.com/|title=Konark Dance & Music Festival|website=konarkfestival.com}}</ref> In February 2019, the Konark Dance Festival (now called Konark Music and Dance Festival) will be hosting its 33rd edition. The state government is also organising annual Konark Festival and International Sand Art Festival<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://odishasuntimes.com/konark-festival-and-international-sandart-festival-from-dec-1/|title=Konark Festival and International Sand Art Festival}}</ref> at [[Chandrabhaga Beach]] of Konark.

On 16 February 1980, Konark lay directly on the path of a total [[solar eclipse]].<ref name=newsci>{{cite news|title=Solar Eclipse|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=YwZY9SbRT8wC&q=konark+solar+eclipse&pg=PA422|access-date=25 October 2012|newspaper=New Scientist|date=13 August 1981}}</ref><ref name=indianastro>{{cite web|last=Kapoor|first=R. C.|title=Some Total Solar Eclipses Observed from India|url=http://www.iiap.res.in/solareclipse|publisher=Indian Institute of Astrophysics|quote=In that sense the Feb 16, 1980 eclipse was a great awakener post Independence that created an unprecedented excitement among persons from all walks of life. The path of totality fell over places in India such as Hubli, Raichur, Nalgonda and Konark etc.|access-date=25 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128034332/http://www.iiap.res.in/solareclipse|archive-date=28 November 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|author=Parkinson, John |title=What's wrong with the Sun? |date=24 April 1980 |magazine=New Scientist |volume= 86 |issue=1204 |pages=[https://books.google.com/books?id=59-_mdEJoRkC&pg=PA200-IA3 200–204] }}</ref>

==Etymology==

The name ''Konârka'' is derived from the [[Sanskrit language|Sanskrit]] word ''Kona'' (meaning ''angle'') and word ''Arka'' (meaning ''sun'') in reference to the temple which was dedicated to the Sun god [[Surya]].<ref>''Konârka is a combination of two words, kona (corner) and arka (Sun).'' {{harvnb|UNESCO|1984}}</ref>

== The Sun Temple==

{{Main|Konark Sun Temple}}
[[File:Konark Temple.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Konark Sun Temple]]

The Sun Temple was built in the 13th century and designed as a gigantic chariot of the [[Surya|Sun God]], Surya, with twelve pairs of ornamented wheels pulled by seven horses. Some of the wheels are 3 metres wide. Only six of the seven horse still stand today.<ref>''It is a monumental representation of the chariot of Surya pulled by a team of seven horses (six of which still exist and are placed on either side of the stairway leading to the sanctuary).'' {{harvnb|UNESCO|1984}}</ref> The temple fell into disuse after an envoy of [[Jahangir]] desecrated the temple in the early 17th century.<ref>''The temple fell into disuse in the early 17th century after it was desecrated by an envoy of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir.'' {{harvnb|UNESCO|1984}}</ref>

According to folklore, there was a diamond in the centre of the idol which reflected the sun rays that passed. In 1627, the then Raja of Khurda took the Sun idol from Konark to the Jagannath temple in Puri. The Sun temple belongs to the [[Kalinga (historical region)|Kalinga]]n school of Indian temple architecture. The alignment of the Sun Temple is along the east–west direction. The inner sanctum or ''vimana'' used to be surmounted by a tower or ''shikara'' but it was razed in the 19th century. The audience hall or ''jagamohana'' still stands and comprises majority of the ruins. The roof of the dance hall or ''natmandir'' has fallen off. It stands at the eastern end of the ruins on a raised platform.<ref>''Further to the east, the natmandir (dance hall), today unroofed, rises on a high platform.'' {{harvnb|UNESCO|1984}}</ref>

==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.<ref>{{cite book|last=Patnaik|first=Durga Prasad|title=Palm Leaf Etchings of Odisha|year=1989|publisher=Abhinav Publications|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=90_qAeMT1bwC&q=Konark&pg=PA4|access-date=25 October 2012|page=4|isbn=9788170172482}}</ref> Kalapahad is also said to be responsible for damages to several other temples during the conquest.

==Demographics==
As of 2011 India [[census]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=16 June 2004|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=1 November 2008|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> Konark had a population of 16,779. Males constitute 8,654 (52%) of the population and females 8,125 (48%).As of 2001 Census Konark has an average literacy rate of 57%, lower than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 64%, and female literacy is 49%. In Konark, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.

==Tourism==

===Attractions in Konark===

* Konark temple: listed as one of the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO,<ref name=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:<ref>{{cite web |title=Konark Sun Temple Museum |url=http://www.thekonark.in/konarkmuseum.html |website=www.thekonark.in |access-date=12 February 2019}}</ref> 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 (64 km 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 (34 km from Puri).

==Photo gallery==
<gallery>
File:Plan-temple-konarak.png|Original structure. Existing structure is in the dark.
File:Sun temple - 12.jpg|Image of Lord Surya, riding a horse
File:Konark3.jpg|Temple Arts
File:Konark4.jpg|Temple Arts
File:Konark5.jpg|Temple Arts
File:Konark6.jpg|Temple Arts
File:Konark7.jpg|Temple Arts
[[File:Konark Temple at Night.jpg|thumb|Konark Sun Temple at night]]
</gallery>
[[File:Konark_Temple_at_Night.jpg|thumb|Konark Sun Temple at night]]

==See also==
*[[Biranchi Narayan Sun Temple]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.konark.org/how-to-reach-konark.html|title=How To Reach Konark | Getting To Konark | Reaching Konark | Traveling to Konark | Konark travels | Konark India | Orissa travel | Orissa konark temple|website=www.konark.org|access-date=20 September 2020}}</ref>
* [[Chari Kshetra]]
* [[Konark Express]]
* [[Konark Dance Festival]]

==Notes and references==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* G.C. Chauley, ''Sun Temple of Konark: History and Preservation'' {{ISBN|978-81-86867-73-0}}
* Ranjan Kumar Singh, ''Surya: The God and His Abode'' {{ISBN|81-903561-7-8}}

==External links==

* [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/246/ Konark, World Heritage Site, UNESCO]
* [http://www.konark.nic.in Konark (Official Site), Tourism Department, Government of Odisha]
* [https://www.heritagetoursorissa.com/konark-sun-temple/ Konark Sun Temple - Heritage Tours Odisha (Recognised by Odisha Tourism & Ministry of Tourism Government of India)]
* .
{{Puri district}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Tourism in Odisha]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Puri district]]
[[Category:Hindu holy cities]]
[[Category:Hindu pilgrimage sites in India]]
[[Category:Puri district]]

Konark - Revision history

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