Konark Beach, Beach near Sun Temple in Konark, India

Konark Beach, also called Chandrabhaga Beach, is a sandy shore on the Bay of Bengal in Puri district, Odisha, about 3 km east of the Sun Temple and 30 km from Puri. It was India's first beach to receive Blue Flag certification, awarded to clean, environment-friendly beaches with amenities of international standard for tourists.

The beach was originally known as Chandrabhaga and served historical purposes as a therapeutic location in ancient times. Over centuries, this coastal area became tied to regional religious practices and maritime connections.

The name Chandrabhaga links the shore to the legend of the Sun Temple nearby, and pilgrims still bathe here during Magha Saptami, when the Sun is worshipped at dawn. Local fishing families work the same sands, drying and mending nets between landings.

The beach sits about three kilometers from the Sun Temple and holds Blue Flag certification for safety and environmental standards. Visitors will find accessible conditions with basic facilities and a relatively gentle slope for swimming.

The shore supports traditional fishing communities that maintain age-old methods passed down through generations. The waters here teem with diverse marine species that visitors can observe during their time at this location.