Entry fee of Konark Sun Temple hiked, protesters lock up Ticket counter

Konark: The Archaeological Survey of India has increased the entry fee of world-famous Sun Temple in Konark to Rs 40 from Rs 30 for Indian tourists, a notification said on Wednesday.

The foreign tourists will have to pay extra Rs 100 to enter the 13th century temple as the entry fee for them has been increased Rs 600 from Rs 500.

However, members of Konark Suraksha Manch locked up the ticket counter this morning protesting the hike of entry fees into the majestic temple, located in Puri district on the coastline of Odisha.

Police reached the spot to pacify the members of Konark Suraksha Manch but the protesters didn’t allow the temple authorities to open the ticket counter, till the news was filed.

In May 2016, the ASI had hiked the entry fee for visitors to Rs 30 from Rs 10 for Indians while the entry fee for foreign nationals was doubled from Rs 250 to Rs 500 per head.

Dedicated to the Hindu god Surya, the temple complex has the appearance of a 100-foot high chariot with immense wheels and horses, all carved from stone.

Next to Puri Jagannath Temple, the Sun Temple has been a major tourist attraction in Odisha.