Konark Sun Temple Tour from Bhubaneswar with Udayagiri & Khandagiri Caves, Dhauli Hills & More

Rajarani Temple Tour

This cultural tour begins in the morning as our driver picks you up from your hotel or airport in Bhubaneswar at around 8-8:30 AM and takes you on a fun Bhubaneswar sightseeing tour. First, you will be visiting the Rajarani Temple. This 11th-century temple is popularly referred to as the Love Temple as the walls feature many engravings of women and couples in love. Locals believe that it is the site where the king and queen of Bhubaneswar met for the first time and fell in love, hence the name. However, others attribute the name of the temple to the sandstone called Rajarani which is used in building the temple. There is no idol in the sanctum santorum but the temple is popular for its Kalinga style of architecture, erotic art, eye-catching sculptures, and the annual Rajarani Music Festival, taking place in January or February.

Visit to Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves

Next, you will be taken for the Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves trip. Located at a distance of about 11 km from the Rajarani Temple, the Twin Caves are popular examples of Jain rock-cut architecture. While Udayagiri is known for its Rani Gumpha, Hathi Gumpha, and Ganesha Gumpha, Khandagiri is renowned for its Ananta Gumpha, Navamuni Gumpha, and Barabhuji Gumpha.

Dhauli Hills Sightseeing

After you have explored the caves and absorbed the panoramic view of Bhubaneswar from the site, you will be taken for Dhauli Hills sightseeing. Located at a distance of about 40 minutes from the Twin Caves on the banks of the Daya River, the hills are most famous for the Dhauli Shanti Stupa—a Buddhist peace pagoda. It is believed that the Kalinga War, one of the most brutal battles of Indian history, took place here. After the deadly war, the winning emperor, Asoka, became a practicing Buddhist and started preaching peace as a sign of penance. The place is home to the famous Ashokan Rock Edict—rocks, walls, and pillars carved with the message of peace.

Exploring the Konark Sun Temple

For the last leg of the tour, we will drive you to Konark. After covering a distance of about 60 km between the two locations, you will reach your destination, and the Konark Sun Temple tour will begin. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is designed in the form of a chariot with 24 wheels and 7 horses. Not much of the temple remains but the preserved elements are striking, nonetheless. The stone structures that have survived the test of time feature intricate artwork, erotic sculptures, sculptures of Hindu deities, and historical narrations in the form of carved images. After exploring this amazing example of Kalinga architecture, your Bhubaneswar and Konark tour package will be completed and you will be dropped at your hotel or airport in Bhubaneswar to continue your journey.