Friday, March 29, 2024
Dance
Konark Dance Festival

Place : Konark, Orissa

Venue: Konark Natya Mandap, Konark

Venue: Konark Natya Mandap, Konark

Date: February 19th to 23rd 2023

Date: December 1st to 5th 2023

Schedule Schedule

The sun temple in Konark, about 65 km from Bhubaneswar, near the sacred city of Puri, in Orissa better known as the 'Black Odissi Dance Pagoda' is a magnificent  structure built of black granite designed as the chariot of the Sun God drawn by seven exquisitely carved horses. The temple situated on the Chandrabhaga beach of Konark is famed as a world heritage site. The exquisite 'Natyamandap' or the 'dancing hall' of this 700-year old shrine is an architectural wonder with well-adorned sculptures in Odissi dance poses, often expressed as poetry transcribed on stone.  

An open air auditorium with the temple as the backdrop, is the venue of the Konark Festival, a major dance festival held annually in early December which showcases a magical parade of the classical and traditional dance forms of India. The Natya Mandap holds a similar festival of classical dance and music in February also, annually. 

Konark Festival was organised for the first time in 1989 in the Open Air Auditorium at Konark constructed with the financial assistance of Government of India. Conceived as a festival of Classical Dances of India, the objective of Konark Festival was to promote Konark, as well as Orissa as a tourist destination.

A host of celebrated dancers from all over the country perform in the open air auditorium. The festival is a celebration of the much appreciated Odissi, Bharathnatyam, Manipuri, Kathak and Chau Dance - a lavish feast for the eyes and ears. The sound of Ghungroo bells, flute and Pakhauj gives it a festive mood. There is also a crafts mela, with a variety of handicrafts organized by the State Industry Department, and visitors can relish the regional tasty cuisine as well during the festival. The festival is jointly organized by Orissa Tourism, Guru Gangadhar Pradhan's Orissa Dance Academy and Konark Natya Mandap.

Contact Address

  • Konark Natya Mandap
    State highway 13, Off Konark road,
    Arka Vihar, Konark- 752111, Orissa
    Phone : 06758- 236835, Mobile : (0)9776008022,
    9937008022, 9937037322, 9437231646
    E-mail : Contact now 1, Contact now 2

  • Orissa Tourist Office, 
    Department of Tourism, Govt. of Orissa, Paryatan Bhawan, 
    Near State Museum, Bhubaneswar - 751 014
    Ph: +91 674 2430764, 2432177; Toll Free : 1800 208 1414, Fax: (0674) 2430887
    E-mail : Email 1 , Email 2 

How to get there

Air : The nearest airport from Konark is Biju Pattanaik Airport at Bhubaneswar (65km)

Rail : Puri(35km) and Bhubaneswar (65 kms) are the nearest railheads from Konark. 

Road : Konark is connected by excellent all-weather roads with Puri (35 kms) and Bhubaneswar (65 kms). Regular bus services operates from Cuttack, Puri and Bhubaneswar. Cars, Auto rikshaws and Jeeps for hire are available from Puri and Bhubaneswar.

Updated on 20/11/2023
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