Find out more about Orissa’s 482 kilometers of spellbinding coastline.Wherever you find them, our sandy beaches are just as you imagine – uncrowned and utterly enticing. You can marvel at World Heritage-Konark Sun Temple, chill out at a beach retreat or just enjoy smoked fish and chips on the shore. However you experience our coastline, the crashing waves and gentle sea breeze are all part of a lifestyle that you won’t want to leave behind. Come discover a new world of simple delights.
-
Pristine blue waters of the Bay of Bengal
-
Drenching sunlight
-
Casuarinas by the sea’s edge
-
Nolia’s-local fishermen pulling their catch or mending their nets.
Puri
Situated on the coast, facing the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal, Puri attracts thousand of holiday-makers all the year round. Wide, sprawling beached and a cool, bracing climate makes this seashore resort town and ideal place to spend a quiet weekend. For many Indians, however, the religious aura of the place is the principal attraction: every pious Hindu wants to visit Puri at least once.
The Temple of Lord Jagannath built during the 12th century A.D. by Chodaganga Deva dominates the landscape for kilometers around.
Gopalpur-On-Sea
Hardly 16 kilometers from Berhampur, the beach retreat of Southern Orissa, happens to be the tiny town of Gopalpur on the Bay of Bengal.Gopalpur was once buzzing with maritime activities which Orissa is known for ages. It was one of the outlets through which early settlers of South East Asia sailed off. It was a famous and popular seaport during the British Rule till about 1942 when it ceased to operate due to the Second World War and separation from Burma (now Myanmar). The crumbling walls and pillars and the light house stand witness to the past port. A trip to Gopalpur-on-sea is a rewarding experience of sun and sea, fun and frolic.
Chandrabhaga
Close to the famous Sun temple (3 kms) of Konark – a World Heritage Monument, it is a lovely and quiet sea beach. It marks the starting point of the Marine Beach Drive stretch to Puri of 35 kms. In the past river Chandrabhaga joined the sea here but now only the confluence remains to be seen. Religious people in large number take holy dip in this confluence on the Magha Saptami day which falls in February-March every year.
Chandipur
Backed up by musical sway of casuarinas trees and creeper over the sand dunes, Chandipur is a beach, with a unique distinction on its own. Unlike other beaches, the sea water here recedes away from the shore line about five km twice a day, an unusual phenomenon, rarely found anywhere. You can see the sea literally vanishing before your eyes and also watch it coming back rhythmically at regular intervals, as if playing hide and seek.
Hardly 2 km away is Balaramgadi where the river Budhabalang meets the sea. A trip through the mouth of the meandering river on a fisherman’s boat is a pleasant experience. Watching them cast their nets and pull their catch of fish is memorable
Astaranga:
This little beach 91 km from Puri presents a panoramic view, especially during sunset on a multi-coloured horizon as though seeking to justify its name as “Colourful Sunset”.
Talasari:
At a distance of 88 km from Balasore, 4 km from Chandaneswar and 8 km from Digha (West Bengal) is the tranquil beach at Talasari. One could behold with wonder the glistening glory of the Bay of Bengal spread like a bejewelled carpet as far as one’s eyes could reach. The shimmering surface, the myriad twinkles all around give this calm beach a status of its own.