Puri, Dec 1: The much-awaited Konark Festival will begin today at Chandrabhaga Beach, near the world-renowned Sun Temple in Puri district. The Odisha Tourism Department has completed all necessary arrangements to ensure the festival’s smooth execution, making it an exciting cultural affair for both visitors and participants.
The five-day festival, running from December 1 to 5, will feature two major events: the Konark Festival, which celebrates the richness of India’s classical dance forms, and the International Sand Art Festival, a global platform for sand artists to showcase their creativity.
The Konark Festival will unfold on an open-air stage, with the majestic Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an architectural marvel, serving as a stunning backdrop. The festival promises to bring to life timeless tales of devotion, love, and mythology, through classical dance performances by renowned artistes.
Meanwhile, the International Sand Art Festival will bring together sand artists from across the globe. This unique festival will feature 129 sand artists, including eight international participants, who will display their creativity in the form of intricate sand sculptures. Visitors will have the opportunity to admire these masterpieces, which will be exhibited in 35 stalls throughout the event.
All preparations for the event, including decorating the open-air stage, constructing attractive gates, and ensuring lighting and cleanliness have been completed. To make this year’s festival even more attractive, authorities have prioritised traffic management, security arrangements, and drinking water facilities for the comfort of visitors.
In addition to the cultural events, the Tourism Department has introduced a special tour package to draw more visitors to the festivals, providing a more comprehensive experience of the region’s cultural and natural beauty.
On Saturday, senior officials, including Puri Collector, SP, and top representatives from the Tourism Department, conducted a final review of the preparations to ensure everything is in place ahead of the festival. With all necessary arrangements made, the authorities are optimistic about the success of the event.
