Odisha Tradition / Konark Festival 2025 Begins Today: What You Can Expect
Key Points
- Five-day celebration of Indian classical dance at the open-air stage near Sun Temple.
- 243 artists from 14 states and five foreign participants showcase sand sculptures at Chandrabhaga Beach.
- First-time event with 200 stalls featuring Mission Shakti women and artisans from across Odisha.
Puri, Dec 1: The heritage tourism city of Konark has come alive with festive spirit as preparations for the 36th Konark Festival, the 15th International Sand Art Festival, and the Subhadra Shakti Mela have been completed. The celebrations will run from December 1 to 5, drawing thousands of visitors to Odisha’s cultural hub.
The Konark Festival, organized by the state tourism department, will be staged at the open-air auditorium near the Sun Temple. Each evening will feature classical dance performances from across India, with Odissi taking centre stage alongside Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and other traditions.
On the inaugural night, Bhubaneswar’s Nrutya Upasana troupe
will present Odissi, followed by Hyderabad’s Shankarananda Kalakshetra
performing Bharatanatyam under Guru Dr. Anand Shekhar Jayant.
Read more: Crime Syndicate Busted in Rourkela: This Is How They Were Laundering Funds via Banks
Simultaneously, the International Sand Art Festival will unfold on the golden sands of Chandrabhaga Beach. This year, reportedly, 243 artists from 14 states and five international participants will showcase their creativity across 34 stalls, turning the beach into a vibrant gallery of sand sculptures.
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Adding to the festivities, the Subhadra Shakti Mela will be held for the first time at Chandrabhaga with 200 stalls. Women artisans from Mission Shakti groups and craftsmen from across Odisha will display handicrafts and traditional products, offering visitors a unique cultural shopping experience.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Deputy CM & Tourism Minister Pravati Parida will inaugurate the events, while Puri District Collector Dibya Jyoti Parida and Tourism Director Dipankar Mahapatra have reviewed arrangements including lighting, sanitation, traffic, parking, police security, tourist packages, and water supply.
The five-day extravaganza is expected to attract tourists
from across India and abroad, reinforcing Konark’s reputation as a global
cultural destination. With dance, art, and crafts converging, the city is set
to celebrate heritage and creativity in grand style.
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