Konark Sun Temple reopens 11 days after Fani

Konark: The Konark Sun Temple which had suffered minor damages in cyclone Fani was reopened for visitors today. Visitors were allowed entry inside the UNESCO World Heritage site, 11 days after cyclone Fani, through manual tickets.

The garden of the temple was extensively damaged in the cyclone with trees that once stood tall and enhanced the beauty of monument, uprooted by the high velocity winds during the cyclone.

Prior to the reopening of the temple, ASI DG Usha Sharma had assessed the damages.

"The ASI and the district administration have cleared all the trees inside and outside the temple premises. We are hopeful that the situation will normalise soon and more numbers of tourists will visit to the temple," said Tourism officer, Sarojkant Pradhan.

The light and sound show will resume soon, Pradhan added.

Meanwhile, visitors coming from different parts of the country have expressed their happiness over the reopening of the Sun Temple.

"Even though cyclone Fani wreaked havoc, we are extremely happy as the temple reopened after 11days," said Rekha, a tourist.