Headline Options
- Option 1 (Timely): Odisha’s Cultural Extravaganza Begins: 36th Konark Festival & 15th International Sand Art Festival Launch Today
- Option 2 (Focus on Art): Global Artists Converge: Konark Sun Temple & Chandrabhaga Beach Transform for Dance and Sand Art Spectacle
- Option 3 (Key Highlights): From Odissi to International Sand Art: Five-Day Mega Festival Set to Dazzle Odisha’s Coast
Key Highlights of the Twin Festivals (December 1 – 5, 2025)
1. The Konark Festival (Dance)
- The Backdrop: The 36th edition of the Konark Festival is held at the exquisite open-air auditorium, set against the breathtaking silhouette of the UNESCO World Heritage Sun Temple.
- The Focus: The five-day festival is a dedicated showcase of India’s rich classical dance heritage. While Odissi takes center stage, each evening features renowned troupes performing other classical forms, including Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, and Mohiniyattam.
- Inaugural Performance: The first evening’s performance typically features a prominent Odissi troupe (such as Bhubaneswar’s Nrutya Upasana troupe, followed by a presentation of Bharatanatyam) setting a high bar for the week’s artistic spectacle.
2. The International Sand Art Festival
- The Venue: Held simultaneously on the golden sands of Chandrabhaga Beach, just 3 km from the Sun Temple.
- Global Participation: The 15th edition of the Sand Art Festival features a massive showcase of talent, with reports indicating participation from around 243 artists hailing from 14 Indian states and five foreign countries (such as Japan, Russia, and Spain).
- The Art: Artists create breathtaking, ephemeral sculptures using only sand, water, and their creativity. The themes often revolve around global issues, cultural heritage, and social messages. The beach setting at dusk provides a magical ambiance.
- Free Entry: A major draw is that entry to the Sand Art Festival is completely free for all visitors.
3. A New Addition: Subhadra Shakti Mela
- New in 2025: Adding a new dimension to the celebrations this year is the debut of the Subhadra Shakti Mela.
- Purpose: This Mela will feature approximately 200 stalls showcasing handicrafts, handlooms, and traditional products created by women artisans from Mission Shakti groups and craftspeople from across Odisha. This promotes local entrepreneurship and art forms.
Visitor Information
- Dates: December 1 to 5, 2025
- Location: Konark Sun Temple Auditorium and Chandrabhaga Beach
- Expected Footfall: Lakhs of visitors and tourists from India and abroad are expected to attend, reinforcing Konark’s status as a global cultural destination.