The temple is flanked by hills and forests. The lake, too, is close by. The temple was built by a prince of the Pandhalam Royal family. The idol here is said to have been the swayambhu idol worshipped by Lord Rama during his trip to Lanka (now, Sri Lanka) in his search for Sita.

The temple’s 10-day annual festival is a colourful affair. The Kettukazhcha ritual procession and performances of folk arts such as Mayilattam and Ammankudam are seen here. The festival ends with the Arattu: five caparisoned elephants in a procession held at midnight. On important days and during festivals, scores of monkeys are fed at the temple premises. There’s even a trust formed to take care of their feeding and welfare!

The town of Konark is also known as Konaditya and Arkakshetra. The Sun Temple was built in 1278 CE by Narasimha Deva, of the Eastern Ganga dynasty. The Temple is called the Black Pagoda as it is built in black granite, and is a UNESCO world Heritage Site.

The temple resembles a gigantic solar chariot: it has with twelve pairs of exquisitely-ornamented wheels dragged by seven sculpted horses. Certain areas of the temple and its premises were under sand and mould, before it was restored. Parts of the Dancing Hall and the Hall of Offering still stand. The erotic sculptures and carvings remind you of the Khajuraho temple of Madhya Pradesh.

The Mayadevi Temple, which is to the west of the main temple, has a sanctum and a Jagamohana (porch). Mayadevi is believed to be one of the wives of Lord Surya. This temple predates the main temple. The brick Vaishnava Temple, uncovered in 1956, had images of Balarama and two parsvadevatas of Varaha and Trivikrama. They are now displayed in the Archaeological Museum at Konark. This temple is dated to circa 11th century A.D.

Tourists can also attend the Konark dance festival, held every December, in an open-air theatre near the Sun Temple. The fest, which is a centre for dancers of Kathak, Chau, Odissi and Bharatanatyam, also has a crafts mela.

Puri is 33km away. There are buses and taxis from Puri to Konark. Frequent buses also connect it to Orissa’s capital Bhubaneshwar.