Sun Temple, Konark – Festivals

Sun Temple, Konark – Festivals

Chandrabhag Mela:

Chandrabhag Mela is celebrated on Magh Saptami in February is the most popular festival of Konark temple. It is said that Samba, son of Lord Krishna got cured of leprosy after he took bath in a sacred magical pond situated close to Konark beach. In memory of this event, every year, the Chandrabhag Mela is celebrated during the full moon phase of Magha. This festival is also called as  Magha Saptami Mela. Thousands of people flock on this day to pay their venerations to the Sun God. They also take a holy dip in medicinal water as mentioned in Puranas and watch the sunrise over the sea. The event is followed by the worship of Navagraha.

Konark Dance Festival:

Konark Dance Festival is a five-day dance festival held every year in the month of December mostly from 1 to 5 in backdrop of the Sun temple in Konark, Odisha in India. It is one of the biggest dance festivals held in Odisha. Many celebrated dancers from all over the country perform at this venue. Since 1986, this festival has been organized in the state jointly by Odisha Tourism and Odissi Research Centre to promote the diverse Indian dance heritage as well as the popularity of Konark Temple and Odisha as a tourist destination.

International Sand Art Festival:

The International Sand Art Festival was started in 2015 on the Chandrabhaga beach, a short distance from Konark, Puri, Odisha, India. It was a part of the Konark Dance Festival that is organized during the same time. Every year, the theme for the Artists hover around the burgeoning issues of the Earth. The Sand festival celebrates sand sculptures produced by skilful sand artists. The festival celebrates the spectacular displays of sand artists from India and from many other countries. As many as 30 Indian and 10 foreign artists participate in this Competition-turned-Festival. Best sand artists from Mexico, Spain, Singapore, France, Norway, Germany, Netherland & USA and remaining 20 artists are from different states of India usually grace the golden beach of Chandrabhaga.