The venue of the Konark Dance festival, Konark Sun Temple is also listed down as UNESCO World Heritage Site and also famous as Black Pagoda. This five day dance festival which is held every year aims high to build that international and cultural brotherhood by providing a platform to so many artists coming from all corners of the globe.

Turning to the history of the Konark Dance Festival, it will take you to the amazing architectural glories and wonder of the Sun Temple that was built back in 13th century by the legend Raja Narasingha Deva I from the ruling Ganga dynasty. As Indian based dance forms were inevitably associated with temples during that era and past times, dance festivals were introduced aiming to showcase different dance forms reflecting the ancient monument or temple at the backdrop. The first edition of the event was organized in 1989 and since then, it is happening every year making the event popular and widely acclaimed among art and culture loving people. Do connect with Best Choice Holiday, the leading travel agent to arrange everything from tickets to accommodation to visit to Odisha.

Date: 1 – 5 December 2019
Venue: Open Air Auditorium in the backdrop of Konark Sun Temple
Time: 6.30 PM – 9.00 PM

Don’t forget to visit Intetnational Sand Art Festival 2019 at Konark

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Referred to as a dance festival of classical forms in India, the purpose of it was to promote Konark along with Odisha as a tourist spot. The festival showcases the best of both traditional and classical dance forms of India, along with proffering an insight into the rich dance and cultural heritage of the country like no other can do. The dance artists and enthusiasts from almost all prime classical dance forms of the country covering Manipuri, Odissi, Bharatnatyam, Kathaka, Kathakali, Sattriya and Kuchipudi participate in this five day classical dance festival, not only showing the world about their art and passion, but also adding to the charm and appeal of the 5 days event. In these 5 days, the entire Konark echos with the amazing sounds of Flute, Ghungroo bells, Pakhawaj. The gratifying dance forms and body language, sophisticated gestures, striking expressions of the artists simply beguile visitors and everyone. Undoubtedly, Konark dance festival is always in rage and craze among travellers coming from India as well as worldwide. The festival has brought a lot of delight, self-esteem and pride to the state of Odisha, and put Konark in the cultural sight with leading limelight in India.

Also Read: Famous Dance and Music Festivals held at Odisha’s Temples

At the time of Konark Dance festival, an amazing Crafts Mela is also held in Urban Haat in Konark equipped with so many beautiful souvenirs and sculptures made by the hardworking and dedicated craftsmen of Odisha. Also, visitors can relish and savour up their taste buds with a large variety of delicious and mouth watering cuisines there. Also, international sand art festival is held at that time at Chandrabagha beach in Konark, which is another one of the major attractions captivating the attention of tourists in a large scale.

Highlights of Konark Dance Festival:

• It is held every year in between 1st December to 5th December.
• It is held at the backside of Konark Sun Temple, in an open air auditorium which is also listed as a World heritage site.
• The dancers and professionals from all parts of India come together and participate and showcase their dance styles and forms to others.
• The sound of musical instruments, classical music fills the air with bliss, harmony and pleasure.
• The prime attractions of the festival are different dance forms including Kuchipudi, Odissi, Bharatnatyam and others.
• The international sand art festival is also held at the same time at Chandrabagha beach, at a 2 km distance from Konark.
• The program starts at 6 in the evening and continues till around 8:30 PM.
• During five days of festival, two different types of dances are performed on daily basis, covering all kinds of classical dances of the country.
• Arrangements held at the festival are good with adjustments for tourists to watch the programs and shows from the viewing gallery.
• During this period, many other full night shows, local programs are held at Konark and people can visit them and enjoy them too. Many joyrides are available for tourists here.

Planning to visit the Konark dance festival this year in December? Thinking about where to stay and how to make your itinerary in the best possible means? Let Best Choice Holiday travel agent devise your itinerary and a visit to Konark dance festival and other events in Odisha and turn your time into cherishing and pleasurable one.

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• Konark Festival – Organized by Odisha Tourism, Konark Festival is very much known featuring a variety of Indian classical dance performances involving Kathak, Odissi and Bharatnatyam. The other attractions of the festival covers sand art exhibition, Odia temple sculptures and crafts fair. Since 1989, this grand festival is been conducting at country’s most beautiful sun temple in Konark, Odisha, nearby Puri. Also been referred to as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the temple has a unique chariot like shape, with engraved and intricate carvings over stone walls comprising erotic sculptures and art.
a) When it is held – It held every year in between December 1 to 5.
b) Where it is held – In an open air auditorium namely Natamandir at Odisha’s Konark Sun Temple.

• Mukteswar Dance Festival – This popular festival exclusively emphasizes on Odissi dance featuring solo, duet as well as group dance performances by reckoned, young and senior artisans. The recognized associations from Odisha and other parts of the country perform at this dance festival. It is held in the courtyard of Bhubaneswar’s ancient and well maintained temple complex, Mukteshwar temple that is over 1,100 years old. Known to be one of the compact and smallest temples located in Bhubaneswar, it is recognized for its unique stone ceiling and archway, with an eight petal lotus over the top.
a) When it is held – It held every year in between January 14 to 16.
b) Where it is held – In the complex of Mukteswar temple in Bhubaneswar.

• Rajarani Dance Festival – This famous music festival boosts the classical music traditions of the country to the next level. The splendid performances by the respectable Hindustani and Odissi music and vocal experts simply bring the architectural beauty and charisma of the temple alive and full with cheer, joy and happiness. Rajarani temple is situated on the exquisite kept grounds, available with erotic sculptured figurines inside. There is no specific deity associated with the temple and as revealed by the sources, it got its name from a pleasure resort of an Odia king and queen, also known as Raja and Rani.
a) When it is held – It is held every year in between January 18 to 20.
b) Where it is held – At Rajarani temple in Bhubaneswar.

• Dhauli Kalinga Mahotsav – Organized by the Art Vision and Odisha Dance Academy – ODA, it features martial dance forms depicting the joy and happiness of victory over war, getting peace and contentment along with folk and classical dance forms of the state. The location where this Mahotsav takes place is simply remarkable and expressive, amongst the hills and historic Daya River, where Emperor Ashoka fought his last battle of Kalinga war before giving up the sword and accepting Buddhism.
a) When it is held – It is held usually every year in between February 6 to 8.
b) Where it is held – On the outskirts of Bhubaneswar at Peace Pagoda or Shanti Stupa in Dhali Hills.

• Konark Dance and Music Festival – Like Konark Festival, this dance and music festival is organized by Kanak Natya Mandap, which is a famous people’s centre association depicting Odia culture. This group is been founded by popular Odissi dance guru ‘Gangadhar Pradhan’. Featuring classic dance and music performances, this event has been running from years, even longer prior to Konark Festival. It’s more like a tradition each year in this festival to start with an Odissi dance performance represented by the dance academy and it is held in a much circling replica of Sun Temple.
a) When it is held – Every year, it usually takes place in between February 19 to 23.
b) Where it is held – In Konark Natya Mandap in Arka Vihar, Konark.

Certainly, these dance and music festivals lift up the spirit and tourism of the state. Just for the record, it is advisable to all event goers to do make sure to check out the updates of the festival before finalizing anything. Let Best Choice Holiday tour operator be your guide this time, plan your Odisha itinerary, arrange your accommodation and everything within your budget and as per your wishes, and make sure you have a memorable time altogether in Odisha.

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