‘Beaching’ Out In Orissa

The 482-km long shoreline of Orissa offers some of the finest white sand beaches in the world. Virginal and unspoilt, it is not surprising that they are becoming a regular haunt for avid beachcombers and sea-worshippers. Its not very difficult to find a quiet spot to enjoy the sun and sea, and with the word spreading visitors have started flocking to beaches in the winter months too, since the sea water is still warm enough to take a dip.

Puri Beach

For centuries now, the Puri beach has been the venue for countless pilgrims taking the traditional purification dip. Yet for decades now, both Indian and foreign beach lovers have made it their special haunt. The crashing surf on one of India's finest beaches is a glorious sight, as is the visual of hatted fisherfolk guiding tourists through the magnificent breakers rolling from the Bay of Bengal. It would be best not to be too adventurous since the undertow can be a bit treacherous. The spectacle of dazzling sunsets and the catamarans dipping on the pearly waters are terrific memories to take back home.

An additional bonus is its proximity to the spectacular Jagannath Temple, one of the holiest temples in the country. Excellent accommodation and eating facilities are major plus points for extending your trip.

Balighai Beach, about 8 km away, is relatively quieter, and if you are lucky you may even spot the residential deer browsing through the undergrowth near the beach.

Chandipur Beach

The swaying casuarinas trees and the shimmering waters of this sea-side resort have made Chandipur a favourite haunt for a small coterie of beach lovers. The uniqueness of Chandipur is that, twice a day its waters recede from the shore a good 5 km away, giving water revelers the ultimate pleasure of walking into its shallow depth with fearless abandon. The beach offers gorgeous views of dynamic seascapes and timeless dawns. Chandipur Beach is just 16 km from Balasore.

Gopalpur-on-Sea

One of the most pristine beaches of Orissa, this small beach is a splendid retreat for sea-worshippers, located about 16 km from Berhampur. Once a humming seaport, Gopalpur offers its visitors a slice of serenity in environs that are conducive to introspection and conviviality. One can still see the crumbling walls and pillars of the jetty, witness to its past glory of commercial activity. Gopalpur-on-Sea is a surfer's delight as the pleasures of the blue beach and the blue bay of her backwaters continue to lure the waterbabies.

Konark Beach

Only 32 km from Puri on Marine Drive, one could find a sprawling beach at Konark, which rates as one of the finest in the world. With a long stretch of clean sands, cool blue sea making rapids in rolling waves, the beach claims to be one of the best in the eastern coast for having a lovely serenity of its own. At a strolling distance one finds the famous architectural splendour of the Sun Temple, a world heritage monument.

Balighai Beach

About 8 km to the east of Puri on the Marine Drive, one could enjoy the glamour of Balighai beach amidst casuarinas plantations.

Baliharachandi Beach

Although Baliharachandi, located

27 km from Puri, is known for the shrine of Goddess Harachandi, the lonely beach with its meandering sand dunes, can be quite enchanting.

Chandrabhaga Beach

Close to the famous Sun Temple of Konark, is a lovely, quiet beach Chandrabhaga. The beach, known for its beauty and solitude, has long served as a counterfoil to the exquisite and intricate sculptures of the Sun Temple, where visitors would let the simple lines of the sea wash away all their worries and refresh them.

Talasari Beach

At a distance of 88 km from Balasore, 4 km from Chandaneswar and 8 km from Digha (in West Bengal) is the tranquil beach at Talasari. One could behold with surprise the glistening glory of the Bay of Bengal spread like a bejeweled carpet as far as one's eyes could reach. The shimmering surface, the myriad twinkles all around give this calm beach a unique status of its own.

Pati-Sonapur Beach

Approximately 20 km from Berham-pur, 35 km from Gopalpur-on-Sea and 4 km off the NH-5 that connects Kolkata with Chennai, is the virgin beach of Pati-Sonapur - one of the most exquisite on the east coast. Right on the confluence of river Bahuda and Bay of Bengal, the scenic beauty of the area is simply enchanting.

Paradeep Beach

A major port of Orissa, Paradeep also boasts of a fine beach where visitors can easily spend a couple of hours soaking in the sun or frolicking in the lovely blue waters.

Balaramgadi Beach

The confluence of the Budhabalanga river with the sea at Balaramgadi, located two kilometers from Chandipur, presents visitors a scenic view as well as fishing and boating facilities.