Bhubaneswar city tour & Konark Sun Temple in private car with guide

This is the venue of the ancient battle which was fought in 260 BC. Emperor Ashoka, the great Mauryan King won the battle but upon seeing the bloodbath had a change of heart. He became a propagator of peace and had a big role in the spread of Buddhism in India. We will get to see edicts of Ashoka embossed on rocks using the ancient Brahmi script and Prakrit language. The rock cut Elephant sculpture is one of the oldest in India.

The current structure was built by an Indo-Japanese collaboration in 1972 by the Japan Buddha Sangh and the Kalinga Nippon Buddha Sangh.

Built in 13th century by King Narasimhadeva, the temple is designed in the shape of a colossal chariot with seven horses and twelve wheels, carrying the sun god, Surya, across heavens. The Sun temple was known as ‘The Black Pagoda’ among early European sailors to the East. The most interesting aspect of the architecture lies in the wheels of the chariot. The twelve pairs of wheels located at the base of the temple are no ordinary wheels. They create a sundial and tell time!

These were built in the second century BC during the reign of King Kharavela of the Kalinga Kingdom. At the top there is a 18th century Jain temple as well.

This material was called Rajarani in the local dialect and hence the temple got its name. The temple is famous for its unique sculptures of women. Women are in poses performing Odissi the traditional dance form as well as in every day life moments. 630 PM– End of Tour