Orissa
is so mobbed with religious adherents that at times the romance of its
enamoring coastline seems to get overshadowed. This year, let the sea sweep
you off your feet and transport you to a different world altogether. The
beaches are hypnotizing and those who are still adamant about the religious
fervor attached to it, have abundant options in over thousand temples strewn
across the place. The beaches are bathed in sanctity and with them, their
guests - the feeling is too redundant to miss out!
Beatific Beaches
Orissa's 482 km of exotic coastline has some of the most enthralling
beaches in the world. The roaring waves stirred by the invigorating breeze,
water sports enthusiasts intervening this fusion relentlessly, children
frolicking about looking for sea-shells, sadhus taking a holy dip chanting
aloud, the rare Olive Ridley Turtles' eggs at some unexplored nook - the
beaches at Orissa can only be termed stupendous.
Gopalpur On Sea
- Perched close to the Bay of Bengal, 18 kms southeast of Berhampur, is
the town of Gopalpur laced with an exotic beach popular for surfing,
swimming and sun-basking. Northwest of Gopalpur lies Taptapani, famous for
its hot water sulphur spring known to cure skin ailments.
Puri Beach
- Famous for its golden sands and the majestic antics of the sun about
the sea - sunset and sunrise. Pilgrims visiting the Jagannath Temple here,
throng the beaches during festivals.
Balasore - 214 km northeast of Bhubaneswar, Balasore is
convenient base point for excursions to Chandikpur and Remuna. Also noted
for its traditional handicrafts of lacquered toys, brass-works and stone
carvings.
Chandipur
- 16 km east of Balasore, is Chandipur, another pristine beach. Here the
sea, recedes five kilometres at low tide and then flows rhythmically after a
regular interval every day. This play of the tide combined with bracing
environs make it a wonderful vacationing jaunt.
What else to check out in Orissa
Bhubaneshwar's 500 glorious temples - the Lingaraja Temple, Mukteswara
Temple, Raja Rani Temple, the Parasurameswara Temple and the
Savaranjaleswara Temple - to name a few are major tourist attractions. At
the Nandankanan Wildlife Sanctuary you can enjoy the lion safari. Also pick
some silver filigree (Tarakasi), stone and woodcarving, Patta paintings and
silk fabrics before you leave.
Located 60 km from Bhubaneswar is the Hindu pilgrimmage centre Puri or Sri
Purushottama Dham, with the famed Jagannath Temple. Enjoy a day at the
Chilika Lake here, watching the aquatic beauty and the dolphins. Gundicha
Ghar, Temple of Child Krishna at Indradyumna Tank and so on are its other
attractions.
About 35 km from Puri is Konark's colossal Sun Temple or the Black Pagoda -
built like a blazing chariot on 12 pairs of giant wheels and with abundance
of Kama Sutra sclupting on the walls, is a must-visit.
