Technical glitch stalls Konark light & sound show, disappoints tourists
Bhubaneswar: The famous light and sound show at Konark’s Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, has been non-operational for over two weeks, disappointing visitors during peak tourism period.
“There are some technical issues which are being addressed. We hope the repair work will be completed soon,” tourism director Samarth Verma told TOI. The show’s suspension coincided with record-breaking tourist numbers in Dec last year.
Numerous visitors who travelled specifically to experience the spectacular light and sound show were left disappointed. “Me and my family visited Konark last month. We had heard a lot about Konark, its architectural marvel, and the 3D show. When we arrived at the site, the light and sound show was not operational because of technical glitches,” said Sayantan Gupta, a tourist from Indore, on Monday.
The Sun Temple, situated near Chandrabhaga beach, receives over 5,000 visitors daily.
Basant Swain, a local guide, said, “We have witnessed the recent visits of several high-profile people, including Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, to Konark. They would have been impressed seeing the stunning light and sound show. We have been urging tourism and ASI officials to repair the facility on a war footing.”
On Sept 9, 2017, former chief minister Naveen Patnaik had launched the 35-minute light and sound show in English, Hindi and Odia, with visitors using specialised headphones to prevent noise pollution.
India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) had implemented the project at a cost of around Rs 5.5 crore, offering two evening shows for 250 viewers per session. The light and sound presentation, using laser technology, featured the Dharmapada legend and highlighted the temple’s historical and religious significance.
Bollywood actor Kabir Bedi narrated the English version, while actor Shekhar Suman and late actor Bijay Mohanty voiced the Hindi and Odia versions, respectively. The show, ticket for which cost Rs 50, was projected on the temple’s chariot-shaped facade.
“There are some technical issues which are being addressed. We hope the repair work will be completed soon,” tourism director Samarth Verma told TOI. The show’s suspension coincided with record-breaking tourist numbers in Dec last year.
Numerous visitors who travelled specifically to experience the spectacular light and sound show were left disappointed. “Me and my family visited Konark last month. We had heard a lot about Konark, its architectural marvel, and the 3D show. When we arrived at the site, the light and sound show was not operational because of technical glitches,” said Sayantan Gupta, a tourist from Indore, on Monday.
The Sun Temple, situated near Chandrabhaga beach, receives over 5,000 visitors daily.
Basant Swain, a local guide, said, “We have witnessed the recent visits of several high-profile people, including Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, to Konark. They would have been impressed seeing the stunning light and sound show. We have been urging tourism and ASI officials to repair the facility on a war footing.”
On Sept 9, 2017, former chief minister Naveen Patnaik had launched the 35-minute light and sound show in English, Hindi and Odia, with visitors using specialised headphones to prevent noise pollution.
India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) had implemented the project at a cost of around Rs 5.5 crore, offering two evening shows for 250 viewers per session. The light and sound presentation, using laser technology, featured the Dharmapada legend and highlighted the temple’s historical and religious significance.
Bollywood actor Kabir Bedi narrated the English version, while actor Shekhar Suman and late actor Bijay Mohanty voiced the Hindi and Odia versions, respectively. The show, ticket for which cost Rs 50, was projected on the temple’s chariot-shaped facade.
