Ocean is more ancient than the mountains, and freighted with the memories and the dreams of Time.
If you are looking for solitude amidst the Ocean come to
~ Odisha ~
PURI
The fine golden sands of Puri beach and the roar of the breakers rolling in from the Bay of Bengal have fascinated visitors throughout the ages. It has also been the venue of countless pilgrims taking the traditional purifying dip. The Temple of Lord Jagannath built during the 12th century A.D. by Chodaganga Deva dominates the landscape for kilometers around. The beach also hosts sand art displays, including the artwork of the internationally acclaimed local sand artist, Sudarsan Pattnaik.
CHANDRABAGHA
Close to the famous Sun temple of Konark – a World Heritage Monument, is the lovely and quiet Chandrabagha Beach. It marks the starting point of the Marine Beach Drive stretch to Puri of 45 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. Not far away lies the Ramchandi Beach where the beach has a gradual slope due to which the high waves are not formed, and makes this beach ideal to swim. Balighai and Beleswar beaches are other secluded stretches of beach near Konark.
GOPALPUR
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. Long before the homestay concept was in vogue, Gopalpur-on-Sea in Odisha was practising it. In the 1940s and ‘50s, many of the Anglo-Indian staff of the Indian railways had chosen to build their retirement homes here. So when a few discerning travellers came seeking the solitude of this quaint village by the Bay of Bengal, the residents began to offer rooms on rent along with home-cooked meals. There was only one luxury hotel. But today, the Anglo-Indians are all gone and hotels have replaced the homestays. Yet, the beach still remains far-less crowded than Odisha’s biggest seaside attraction, Puri.This virgin beach with coconut groves, casuarina coppices and gentle sand dunes is deserted for miles even now and perfect for an ultimate relaxation.
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.The sea drifts back slowly to the coastline giving enough time to collect the souvenirs of red starfishes, seashells and drift wood on the exposed sea beds. Its a Sea to Walk On ! Abdul Kalam Island, formerly known as Wheeler Island is located some 10km off Chandipur and is the only missile test firing range in the country for defence purposes.
TALSARI
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.The name Talasari is derived from the two words Tala (meaning Palm) and Sari/Sarani (meaning row). The palm trees surrounding the place gives such a name to it.