See also http://www.orissatourism.gov.in/new/kon_festival.htm. Following are some excerpts:

The annual Konark Festival, which is held in an open air auditorium with the temple as the backdrop, showcases a magical parade of India’s classical and traditional dance forms. Eminent dancers and their troupe delight visitors in the wintry evening of early December with dramatic choreographies.

Besides, the dance performances the visitors will be treated, in an Artist Camp, to an exhibition of Orissan temple sculptures which are often described as poetry transcribed on stone. Sand Art exhibition will be yet another attraction for tourists.

PROGRAMMES

Date

1st Session
(6.00 PM – 7.00 PM)

2nd Session
(7.00 PM – 8.00 PM)

01-12-07

ODISSI
GKCM Odissi Research Centre, Bhubaneswar  

KATHAK
Bireshwar Gautam, Mumbai

02-12-07

KATHAKALI
Dr. Venkit & Troupe, Kerala

ODISSI
Kaisiki (Dakshya Mashruwalla & Group), Mumbai

03-12-07

ODISSI
Banshi Bilas, Bhubaneswar

BHARATNATYAM
Geeta Chandran, New Delhi

04-12-07

MOHINIATTAM
Shyamala Sundaran, Kerala

ODISSI
Madhavi Mudgal & Group, New Delhi

05-12-07

ODISSI
Utkal Sangeet Mahavidyalay, Bhubaneswar

MANIPURI
Performing Art Centre, Imphal, Manipur

It is a festival of classical dances of India performed at the backdrop of the Sun Temple, Konark.

Konark Festival was organised for the first time in 1989 in the Open Air Auditorium at Konark constructed with the financial assistance of Government of India.

Conceived as a festival of Classical Dances of India, the objective of Konark Festival was to promote Konark as well as Orissa as place of tourist destination.

Initially during the year 1989 and 1990, the festival was being organised for a period of 3 days. Subsequently increased to 7 days during 1991 and 1992 in different dates. Since 1993 the festival is being organised for a period of 5 days from December 1-5 every year. The festival was however not organised during 1999 due to the Super Cyclone.