Date: 4th to 8th December 2008
Venue: Open Air Auditorium, Konark

Follow the rainbow across the scintillating sea shore at Konark to the magnificent portals of a temple.

Thirty five km. to the north-east of Puri lies the World Heritage Monument, the Sun Temple of Konark. Twelve hundred craftsmen had toiled hard for 12 long years to erect this monumental wonder where 12 year’s revenue was spent. Modelled after the floating chariot of the mythical Sun God, the temple is a quintessence of imaginative craftsmanship of ancient Orissa. The temple architecture was designed as drawn by twelve exquisitely carved stone wheels and seven galloping horses. And the kings, queens, generals, foot soldiers, sages, priests, elephants, horses, courtiers and courtesans depicted on the walls and the panels with finesse open a window to the nostalgic times of medieval Orissa.

The annual Konark Festival, which is held in an open air auditorium with the temple as the backdrop, showcases a magical parade of India’s classical and traditional dance forms. Eminent dancers and their troupe delight visitors in the wintry evening of early December with dramatic choreographies.

Besides, the dance performances the visitors will be treated, in an Artist Camp, to an exhibition of Orissan temple sculptures which are often described as poetry transcribed on stone. Sand Art exhibition will be yet another attraction for tourists.

PROGRAMME
1st Slot	2nd Slot
04-12-08 (6:00 PM - 8:30 PM)
ODISSI  Ileana Citaristi & Group, Bhubaneswar. Padmashree awardee & dedicated name in Odissi & Chhou Dance
MANIPURI Jawaharlal Nehru Manipur Dance Academy, Imphal An organization par excellence in Manipuri dance style
05-12-08 (6:00 PM - 8:30 PM)
ODISSI Kiran Seghal,New Delhi Padmashree awardee & Renowned name in the field of Odissi Dance
BHARATNATYAM Ananda Shankar Jayant, Hyderabad, Padmashree awardee Leading name in the field of Bharatnatyam
06-12-08 (6:00 PM - 8:30 PM)
ODISSI Kumkum Mohanty & Group, Bhubaneswar. Padmashree awardee & Dancer of International repute
MOHINIATTAM Kerala Kalamandalam. An institution dedicated for South Indian dance style
07-12-08 (6:00 PM - 8:30 PM)
KATHAK Shovana Narayana & Group, New Delhi Padmashree awardee An eminent danseuse in Kathak Dance
ODISSI Rudraksha,Bhubaneswar. An organization engaged in innovation Choreography
08-12-08 (6:00 PM - 8:30 PM)
KUCHIPUDI Yashoda Thakur & Group An exponent of Kuchipudi dance style
ODISSI Guru Kelu Charana Mohapatra Odissi Research Centre, Bhubaneswar Centre of Excellence for Odissi Dance & Music

It is a festival of classical dances of India performed at the backdrop of the Sun Temple, Konark.

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 place of tourist destination.

Initially during the year 1989 and 1990, the festival was being organised for a period of 3 days. Subsequently increased to 7 days during 1991 and 1992 in different dates. Since 1993 the festival is being organised for a period of 5 days from December 1-5 every year. The festival was however not organised during 1999 due to the Super Cyclone.

A Craft Mela was also being organised from 1991-1995 through the State Industry Department along with the dance programmes. This was discontinued for a couple of years which has again been revived from the year - 2000. While the Craft Mela of 2000 was organised by NAC, Konark, the same has been organised by State Industry Department since 2001.

APPROACH
Konark is connected by excellent all-weather roads with Puri (35kms) and Bhubaneswar (65kms) which are also nearest Railheads. Nearest Airport is Biju Pattanaik Airport, Bhubaneswar.

Local Transport
Car, Sumo, Auto, Jeep available at Puri and Bhubaneswar.

ACCOMMODATION - KONARK

Yatrinivas (Orissa Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.)
 

A.C. Double Room

Non- A.C. Double Room

Non- A.C. 4 Bedded Room

Swiss Cottage Tents

A.C. Suite

Phone: (06758) 236820,
Fax : 236820

Travellers Lodge (Orissa Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.)
 

A.C. Double Room

Phone: (06758)236820,
Fax: 236820

Panthanivas (Orissa Tourism Development Corporation Ltd.)
 

A.C. Double Room

Non A.C. Double Room

Non A.C. 4 Bedded Room

Phone: (06758)236831

Budget and Star accommodation with transport is also available at Puri (35 KM) and Bhubaneswar (65 KM)

Department of Tourism, Government of Orissa
Paryatan Bhawan, Museum Campus, Bhubaneswar - 751 014
Phone: (0674) 2432177 Fax: (0674) 2430887
E-mail: ortour@orissatourism.gov.in

Govt. of Orissa Tourist Offices

Chennai: Tamilnadu Tourism Complex, Ground Floor
Near Kalaivanar Arangam, Wallajah Road, Chennai - 600 002
Telefax: (044) 25360891

Kolkata: Utkal Bhawan, 55 Lenin Sarani, Kolkata - 700 013
Phone:(033) 22443653

New Delhi: Utkalika, B/4 Baba Kharak Singh Marg
New Delhi -110 001. Telefax: (011) 23364580

Konark: Konark Yatrinivas, Konark
Telefax: (06758) 236820
 

ARCHIVE

Konark Festival 2005

Konark Festival 2004

Konark Festival 2003

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