Bharat Bandh Disrupts Tourism at Konark Sun Temple, Visitors Turned Away

Bhubaneswar/Konark: Tourist activity at the iconic Konark Sun Temple came to a halt on Thursday as a 12-hour Bharat Bandh called by labour organisations and left parties disrupted normal life in the region.

According to reports, protesters assembled near the UNESCO World Heritage Site and staged demonstrations that prevented visitors from entering the temple complex. Agitators allegedly blocked access to the temple’s ticket counters, the IOF Exhibition Centre, and the main entrance gate, leaving many tourists stranded outside.

The protest at Konark was led by former Zilla Parishad member Rabindra Kumar Behera along with labour leaders Manoranjan Parida, Sukanta Kumar Mohanty, and Bhaskar Seth. The demonstrators said the bandh was part of a larger movement to press for various demands.

Transport services were also severely affected, with buses operating between Bhubaneswar and Konark remaining off the roads for much of the day. The shutdown extended to banks, post offices, and several other public services, adding to the inconvenience faced by residents and visitors.

Popular spots such as the Konark Bus Stand and Chandrabhaga Beach, usually crowded with tourists, wore a deserted look, reflecting the impact of the bandh. The disruption has affected both local businesses dependent on tourism and travellers who had planned visits to the historic coastal town.