About ASI Archaeological Museum, Konark
The ASI Archaeological Museum at Konark is located just outside the Konark Sun Temple complex in Puri district, Odisha. Established in 1968 by the Archaeological Survey of India, it houses fallen sculptures, architectural fragments and antiquities recovered from the 13th-century Sun Temple. The museum displays rich examples of Kalinga art and temple architecture across four galleries, providing context to the UNESCO World Heritage Sun Temple.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a compact, well-maintained museum building with four galleries displaying stone sculptures, carved panels, images of deities, celestial beings, animals, and architectural members from the Konark Sun Temple. Exhibits include reconstructed temple parts, erotic sculptures, and loose images found during excavations. The museum is set in a quiet compound near the Sun Temple entrance, with indoor display halls, explanatory labels, and a small lawn area. Photography is typically restricted inside galleries.
Key highlights
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Four galleries displaying sculptures and architectural fragments from the 13th-century Konark Sun Temple
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Collection of fallen images of Surya, Vishnu, Shiva, and other deities in Kalinga style
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Reconstructed wall sections and decorative motifs illustrating temple construction techniques
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Excavated antiquities and loose sculptures recovered from the temple complex
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Located within walking distance of the Konark Sun Temple UNESCO World Heritage Site
History of ASI Archaeological Museum, Konark
The museum was established in 1968 by the Archaeological Survey of India to preserve and display sculptures and architectural members that had fallen from the 13th-century Konark Sun Temple, built during the reign of Eastern Ganga King Narasimhadeva I (circa 1243-1255 CE). The collection documents the Kalinga style of temple architecture and iconography and includes objects recovered during clearance and conservation of the temple complex.
Culture & Context
The museum showcases the artistic and cultural heritage of Kalinga temple art, including depictions of deities, mythological scenes, daily life, and decorative motifs associated with Sun worship. It provides cultural context to the Konark Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site revered as a major example of Odishan architecture and sculpture.