Konark

The sleepy town of Konark, 1½ hours from Bhubaneswar, is home to one of India's most fabulous, awe-inspiring temples—a World Heritage site. Visiting Orissa and not visiting Konark would be a sin, and the stately temple viewed at sunrise or sunset is profoundly beautiful. Konark's village exists for the temple, earning its income entirely from tourism via souvenir shops, food stalls, and basic restaurants. The beach, Chandrabhaga, is quiet, wide, and clean but not suitable for swimming because of the sharp currents; it offers an opportunity to see fishing folk in action at dusk. Nearby is the functioning 40-year-old Chandrabhaga lighthouse, open from 4 to 5.