Konark: Visitors to the 13th century Sun Temple here can now get to dig deeper into its history with the unveiling of an interpretation centre Tuesday.
The centre has a 60-seat audio-visual auditorium which would showcase the temple’s history.
The centre has been built as part of an around `45 crore beautification project undertaken by Indian Oil Foundation (IOF), a non-profit trust of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL).
The centre was earlier formally inaugurated by Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on the occasion of Utkal Divas April 1.
Under the project, a tourist facilitation centre has also been constructed. That apart, a reception room, an information centre for tourists, cafeteria, bus terminus with parking capacity of 60 buses, parking lot for 110 cars, an independent facility for two-three wheelers parking and pathway have also been constructed under the project.
“We have tried to create an ambience that will fascinate tourists as they enter the temple. You can see that trees are planted on both sides of the pathway,” said CEO of IOCL, Subrat Verma. “A welcome lobby, five galleries and an audio-visual auditorium have been built inside the interpretation centre. The galleries will depict the history of the Sun Temple as well as other temples of the state,” Verma said claiming that this is the first World Heritage Site in which such facilities have been provided.
Officials informed that entry fee to the auditorium has been pegged at `50 per person.
“It’s really beautiful here. One should come here to get an overview of Odia culture and art. The sculptures here are enthralling,” said a tourist Swati, adding she visits the state every year during her vacation.
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