Day Trips From Konark
Konark, the home to famous UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sun Temple is a must visit place. But while you are in this small town in Orissa, do not miss out the opportunity to visit some very interesting places located nearby. Most of these places can be covered in a day trip from Konark.
Pipili - A small town located few km from Konark is Pipili. This town is a major shopping center and tourists who are interested in local handicraft should definitely visit Pipili. The town is famous for Applique handicrafts. Almost all the families in the town are in the business of Applique handicrafts. You will be amazed by the handicraft that people made in this small town.
Chaurasi - It is a small village located 30km away from Konark. This village is famous for 10th century temple called Varahi Temple. Sometimes this temple is referred as Chaurasi temple or the Barahi temple. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Varahi. The architecture and sculpture at the walls of the temple would amaze you. Other important temples in the village include Amareswar temple and Laxminarayan temple.
Kakatpur - Located on the banks of river Prachi, Kakatpur is famous for the temple of Maa Mangala. The Kakatpur Mangala Temple is built in the Kalinga style for the devotees of Shakti Mata. Inside the temple is a bed made of stone where people believe Maa Mangala rests after traveling entire universe everyday. It is believed that the idol of Maa Mangala was found inside the Prachi river. A boatman was trapped inside the river due to floods. During night, Maa Mangala came in his dream and asked him to recover the idol from the river. The temple also has association with the Lord Jagannath Puri temple.
Puri - A visit to Konark is incomplete until you travel Puri. The adobe of Lord Jagannath is 50km from Konark and an important pilgrimage spot. Puri is one of the char dham yatra place. Around 4 million people visit Puri every year, especially for the annual rath yatra in June. The Lord Jagannath Puri temple is the main attraction of the town. As for now its off limit of non Hindus as it is believed that idols inside the temple can not be viewed by anyone but a Hindu.
Balighai - A beautiful beach located on the bay of Bengal. Balighai is located just 15km from Konark. You can visit it during trip to Puri. Once you are tired of visiting all the temples, head to Balighai and enjoy the sun or swimming. There is a Turtle Research Centre at the beach that is also worth visiting. However the highlight of the beach is rare Baliharina deer which is only found in this region. If you spot if, make sure you capture it on the camera.
Pipili - A small town located few km from Konark is Pipili. This town is a major shopping center and tourists who are interested in local handicraft should definitely visit Pipili. The town is famous for Applique handicrafts. Almost all the families in the town are in the business of Applique handicrafts. You will be amazed by the handicraft that people made in this small town.
Chaurasi - It is a small village located 30km away from Konark. This village is famous for 10th century temple called Varahi Temple. Sometimes this temple is referred as Chaurasi temple or the Barahi temple. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Varahi. The architecture and sculpture at the walls of the temple would amaze you. Other important temples in the village include Amareswar temple and Laxminarayan temple.
Kakatpur - Located on the banks of river Prachi, Kakatpur is famous for the temple of Maa Mangala. The Kakatpur Mangala Temple is built in the Kalinga style for the devotees of Shakti Mata. Inside the temple is a bed made of stone where people believe Maa Mangala rests after traveling entire universe everyday. It is believed that the idol of Maa Mangala was found inside the Prachi river. A boatman was trapped inside the river due to floods. During night, Maa Mangala came in his dream and asked him to recover the idol from the river. The temple also has association with the Lord Jagannath Puri temple.
Puri - A visit to Konark is incomplete until you travel Puri. The adobe of Lord Jagannath is 50km from Konark and an important pilgrimage spot. Puri is one of the char dham yatra place. Around 4 million people visit Puri every year, especially for the annual rath yatra in June. The Lord Jagannath Puri temple is the main attraction of the town. As for now its off limit of non Hindus as it is believed that idols inside the temple can not be viewed by anyone but a Hindu.
Balighai - A beautiful beach located on the bay of Bengal. Balighai is located just 15km from Konark. You can visit it during trip to Puri. Once you are tired of visiting all the temples, head to Balighai and enjoy the sun or swimming. There is a Turtle Research Centre at the beach that is also worth visiting. However the highlight of the beach is rare Baliharina deer which is only found in this region. If you spot if, make sure you capture it on the camera.
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