Kuruma, Konark - Timings, History, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 7 km from Konark Bus Station, Kuruma or Kurum is a small village in Puri district of Odisha. It is one of the famous Konark Tourist Places due to its historical significance.

Kuruma is one of the major archeological excavation sites in Orissa and is mentioned in several Buddhist texts from Asoka and Ceylon and also appears in the writings of the Chinese traveller Hieun Tsang. The origin of the site is dated to be between 8th-9th century AD and is a must visit for everyone who likes to explore the history of India.

The site was first reported by a school teacher named Brajabandhu Das and subsequently excavated by Odisha state Archaeology from 1971 to 1975. Prior to this excavation, a stone slab containing the beautiful image of Lord Buddha was found on the bank of a tank at one end of the village. Here, Buddha is seated cross legged with right hand in Bhumisparsa mudra while the left hand placed over his left knee. The image also wears a beautiful crown and a beautifully carved necklace.

Apart from the Buddha image, two other images were also found near the tank. One of these figures is identified as 'Heruka'. Local people call this image as 'Dharma', the Sun God and another image is identified as Yama. This Buddhist Monastery has 12 blocks with three in each cardinal direction and an open courtyard in the center.

The monastery is abandoned now but the images retrieved from the site now worshiped within a small shed. Tourists may visit the room of teacher Sri Brajabandhu Das near to the UGME School, where some of the excavated specimens like script on stone, ancient coins etc. are kept under his supervision. From archaeological point of view Kuruma is not vary famous, but from tourism point of view it is an important place due to its close proximity to Sun Temple of Konark.

Timings: 10 AM to 5 PM