Konark Festival and International Sand Art Festival from Dec 1

Odisha government's tourism department is all set to organise the five-day twin mega events of Konark Festival and International Sand Art Festival from December 1.
All out efforts are being taken up by Tourism Department for smooth management of the events which aimed to attract more tourists, said Tourism Director Anil Kumar Samal.
The Konark Festival will be held in the open air auditorium with famous Sun Temple at the backdrop with five renowned Odissi troupes along with famous artistes of Manipuri, Satriya, Kuchipudi, Bharatnatyam and Kathak, Samal said.
Similarly, the International Sand Art Festival will have 35 stalls with reputed international and national artistes. Women sand artistes and differently-abled sand artistes will also participate in the festival coordinated by Sudarshan Patnaik. Awards and trophies will be given to the winners.

Samal said emphasis was being laid on maintenance of law and order, safety and security of VIPs, foreign tourists, traffic management and parking of vehicles. Handicraft and Handloom exhibition will be held in the Urban Haat, Konark.
Since both the events are of International importance and unique in nature, the Department of Tourism is giving emphasis for its hassle-free management and taking sincere efforts to attract more and more tourists and art lovers through media campaign and tour packages through OTDC (Odisha tourism development corporation), said Samal.