Konark festival: This popular dance festival is celebrated against the backdrop of the famous Sun Temple in Konark. The Konark Dance and Music Festival brings together artists to showcase and popularise the classical, folk and tribal dance and music of India. The festival was initiated in 1986 by Padmashree Guru Gangadhar Pradhan, who was an internationally renowned Odissi dance guru and mardal player. The Konark Dance and Music Festival is organised at the open air auditorium of the Konark Natya Mandap, which is a replica of the 700-year-old Konark Sun Temple. The festival was a forerunner amongst all the contemporary festivals of Orissa including the Konark Festival, which is held on the ‘Natya Mandir’ of the Konark Sun Temple in December. The festival is a cultural treat with distinguished dance performances by experts of Odissi, Mohiniattam, Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Chau and even some local, lesser known dance forms. It also hosts the recitals from reputed music gharanas (including the Agra Gharana and the Gwalior Gharana).
Timings for Konark festival
December:
