The Sun temple of Konark , also known as Black Pagoda, is the crowning glory of the temple architecture of ancient Orissa. The design is the celestial chariot of the Sun God pulled by seven exquisitely carved ornamented horses, strained on twelve wheels on either side . The huge monolithic wheels represent time , unity , completeness, justice , perfection and movement and each wheel stands for a fortnight and each horse a day of the week .

The walls of the temple contain superb carvings of divine , semi divine , human and animal figures admist floral and geometric ornamentations.

Tourist Information : Open on all weekdays from sunrise to sunset. Entry fee for those above 12 years is Rs. 5.00 . Free entry on Fridays.

Best Time to visit : November to February.

Where to Stay : Konark offers various government approved accommodations at Panthanivas, Travellers lodge, Inspection Bunglow, Yatri Nivas.

Places to Visit: Kuruma, Chaurasi, Ramachandi, Astranga , Kakatapur , Pipli.

MY INDIA

MY PRIDE

India has a rich architectural legacy dating to an ancient past. Timeless monuments , magnificient temples , and breathtaking sites… India never ceases to lure the travellers .

Of its prestigious monuments and natural wonders , sixteen cultural and five natural sites of India have already been declared as the world heritage sites by the General Conference of UNESCO. These sites are known to have an exceptional interest and universal value , the protection of which is the concern of all mankind .

Lying 58 km south of Chennai , this group of sanctuaries , founded by the Pallava kings , was carved out of rock along the Coromandel coast in the 7th and 8th centuries.

The famous Shore Temple , one of the oldest in South India , stnads on the sea shore with its paved forecourts. Another wonder is Arjuna’s Penance , which is the worlds largest bas-relief .

The mandapams(porticos) are grand specimens of art . Scooped out of solid rock from a hill side , each mandapam depicts exclusive carvings rich in detail. Krishna mandapam shows Lord Krishna lifting the Govardhan mountain , to protect kinsfolk from the wrath of the rain god Indra.

Tourist Information : Open on all weekdays from sunrise to sunset.

The best time to visit : Is in the month December and January.

Places to stay : Temple Bay Ashok Beach Resort , Silver Sands , Ideal Beach Resort .

Places to visit : Rock cut caves, Arjuna’s Penance , The Rathas ,Shore Temple.