Described as a poem in stone, the Sun temple at Konark is the crowning glory of the temple architecture of Odisha. As a fitting tribute to the majestic monument, eminent classical dancers of India get together during the Konark Dance Festival every year from 1st to 5th December to present live performances of their art.

When the sun sets in the horizon and the stars appear in the sky, the open-air auditorium against the backdrop of the floodlit temple reverberates with the beats of Raga and Tala to fill the air. The classical extravaganza is a journey through ecstasy.

The Konark Dance & Music Festival is organised by eminent Odissi guru Gangadhar Pradhan’s Odisha Dance Academy in association with the Eastern Zonal Cultural Centre, Kolkata at Konark Natya Mandap in Konark every year. A brain-child of the Sangeet Natak Akademi awardee Odissi exponent, the festival is the oldest of its kind in the state to have recognition at the national level.