Konark Dance Festival
The enthralling Konark Dance Festival is held every year, from 1 to 5 December, in Konark, in the backdrop of the mammoth Sun Temple. The festival has made the famous tourist destination that the Konark is even more attractive in the eyes of the tourists.
The mega event is held in an open Natya Mandir (Dance Hall), on the Chandrabhaga Beach, Konark. The Konark Dance Festival showcases the best of the traditional and classical dance forms of India, besides offering interesting insights into the rich cultural and dance heritage of the country like no one else.
The leading exponents and dance enthusiasts of almost all main classical dance forms of India--including Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Manipuri, Kathakali, and Chao--take part in the five-day classical dance carnival much adding to the appeal of the event that has few parallels elsewhere.
During the Festival, the entire Konark reverberates with the sounds of the Ghungroo Bells, Flute and Pakhawaj. The elegant gestures, sensuous body language, and expressive faces of the dancers enthrall the visitors, especially the dance connoisseurs, no end. No wonder, the Konark Dance Festival is a big hit with the travellers, from both India and abroad.
A wonderful Crafts Mela is held at the time of the Konark Dance Festival which much adds to the magic of the festival. At the mela, beautiful sculptures and souvenirs made by the expert craftsmen of the region are displayed and sold.
