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Apart from Konark Sun Temple, there are beautiful beaches, famous temples and ancient Buddhist sites around Konark city. Here is a list of tourist attractions frequently visited by travelers visiting to Konark temple.
Chandrabhaga is situated 3 kilometers east of the famous Sun temple of Konark and 30 kilometers from Puri. Chandrabhaga is famous for its long sandy beach which offers a beautiful view of sunrise and sunset. Konark beach is also known as Chanrabhaga. Numerous visitors to Konark temple make Chandrabhaga a positive stop. A light house, close by Chandrabhaga is an added histrionic to the splendor of the place. A climb to its top truly takes you to a world of utopia. Numerous pilgrims gather here on Kartik Purnima and Magha Saptami to take a holy dip in the sea. Read more on Chandrabhaga
The temple of Goddess Ramachandi on the river mouth of Kushabhadrariver is a splendid scenic picnic resort. It is situated 7 kms before Konark on the Marine drive road from Puri to Konark. Ramachandi is popularly believed the presiding deity of Konark, and the most benevolent Chandi known. It is certainly more ancient than the Sun temple at Konark. From the architectural point of view, the temple of Ramachandi is not important but from the religious point of view, it is one of the famous Saktapithas of Puri. Read more on Ramachandi
Kuruma, a small village, is located at a distance of 8 kilometers to the south-east of the sun temple of Konark. The place is famous for the ancient Buddhist site. This site was built between 9th - 10th centuries A.D. It is situated on the left side of the Konarka–Kakatapur road and can be approached by a road branching from the Bali Dokan chowk and is about 2 kilometer from the chowk. Scholars are of opinion that this was one of the sites containing Buddhist stupas described by HiuenT'sang. Read more on Kuruma
Chaurasi is a small village near Puri district on the right bank of river Prachi. The place is famous for the Varahi Temple. This temple was built in the first quarter of 10th century A.D. during Somavamsi rule. The temple is east facing and built with Sand stone. It is under the maintenance of Archaeological survey of India. Chaurasi is situated between Nimapada-Kakatpurroad and is at a distance of 30 kilometers from Konark and 14 kilometers from Kakatpur village. Spreading over about 2 acres of land, this shrine is Sakta and the presiding deity of the temple is Goddess Varahi. She sits in lalitasana on a cushion placed on a plain platform with her right foot resting on the buffalo mount carved on the pedestal. Read more on Chaurasi
Kakatpur is a small village in Puri District and is situated at a distance of 50 kms from Puri, on the Puri-Astaranga road. Situated on the bank of river Prachi, this temple is famous for Goddess Mangala. Goddess Mangala is the presiding deity of Kakatpur and is worshipped in this temple. The most popular festival of Goddess Mangala is 'JhamuYatra'. It occurs on the first Tuesday of the Sacred month Vaisakh (April 14 to May 15) every year. On that occasion devotees collect sacred water from river Prachi and pray the deity to get her blessings. Every year thousands of devotees come to Kakatpur to celebrate the Jhamu festival. Read more on Kakatpur
Balighai is situated at 8 kilometers from the holy city Puri on the Puri-Konark marine drive road. Situated by the side of the Bay of Bengal and at the mouth of the river Nuanai, Balighai provides the tourists with a wonderful opportunity to experience the union of the calm river with the turbulent sea. Most part of this place is fringed by lovely cashew nut trees. This place is also famous for shy Baliharina deers who reside in this area. Another special attraction of this beach is the Sea Turtle Research Centre, where you can watch the large turtles fluttering around in their tanks. Read more on Balighai
Beleswar is a small village situated at 14 kilometers from Puri on the Puri-Konark marine drive road. Beleswar is famous for both religious sanctity and scenic beauty. It is famous for the Lord Beleswar Temple. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and he is worshipped here as Beleswar Mahadev. Beleswar is situated by the side of the Bay of Bengal, so it is also famous for the lovely and long sandy beach. It attracts lots of visitor to enjoy the natural scenery of the beach and to seek divine blessings. Read more on Beleswar
Puri has a very wide and distinctive selection of handicrafts. Best known is probably the gorgeous applique work of Pipili. Pipili is on the way from Puri to Bhubaneswar. It is 44 kilometers from Konark, at the junction where the konark road branches from the Bhubaneswar to Puri road. It is a small village. On the main road at Pipili there are many shops selling Applique work products, tourist visiting Puri buy these products from Pipili. It is famous in Orissa as well as in India for its applique craft. Read more on Pipli