Konark decked up to welcome audience to festival

Konark, Dec 1: The Sun Temple premises are beautifully decked up to welcome audience to the Konark Festival of classical dance performances with the grand Sun Temple in the backdrop and the International Sand Art Festival. The Konark Festival 2020 will begin today at the Open Air Auditorium with the magnificent Konark Sun Temple and continue till December 5 between 6:00 and 8:30 pm. The event showcases the best of India’s traditional and classical dance forms, besides offering interesting insights into the rich cultural heritage of the country. A solitary splendour par excellence, folklore and mythology have created layers of legends shrouding the genesis of this world heritage monument built in the 13th century A.D. Leading exponents and dance enthusiasts of almost all main classical dance forms of India including Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Manipuri, Kuchipudi and Kathak will take part in the five-day classical dance carnival, adding to the appeal of the event that has few parallels elsewhere. International Sand Art Festival – 2020 The 9th edition of the International Sand Art Festival with Padmashree Awardee and globally renowned sand artist Sudarshan Pattnaik as its brand ambassador and chief curator, will be held coinciding with the Konark Festival, on the pristine Chandrabhaga Beach, three km away from the Sun Temple. The event will span the entire day from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. Keeping in view the COVID-19 global pandemic the event will be organised following COVID-19 Guidelines and protocols issued by Government of Odisha and Government of India. Due care shall be taken for entry of visitors, maintaining social distancing and sanitizations. The event of 2020 will witness participation of 70 artists from across India and within the state.