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India’s eastern pilgrimage locale, Orissa, remains so mobbed with religious adherents that at times the romance of its enamoring 482 km coastline seems to get overshadowed. And for those who love to discover new things in off-the-beaten tracks, the beaches are too full of secrets to suffice one vacation. The exotic Olive Ridley Turtles’ secret home is just one of the many. The hundreds of temples, especially, those at the Capital Bhubaneshwar, the Sun Temple at Konark and the Jagannath temple at Puri, the Nandankanan wildlife sanctuary, a boating cruise along the Chilika lake watching dolphins frolic about – are things you must hew into your tour.

The Beaches
Gopalpur on Sea (180 km from Capital): Perched close to the Bay of Bengal, 18 km south-east of Berhampur, is the town of Gopalpur laced with an exotic beach popular for surfing, swimming, sun-basking. North-west of Gopalpur lies Taptapani, famous for its hot water sulphur spring known to cure skin ailments.
Puri Beach

Puri Beach (60 km from Capital): 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.

Konark Beach (65 km from Capital): Rated one of the most exotic in the world, the beauty of the beach and that of the colossal Sun Temple or the Black Pagoda (a World Heritage Site), clash and blend to create an ambience of amusement and sanctity. After a day of sun-basking stroll into the temple premises and have a dekko at some of the best expressions captured in stone.

Paradeep Beach (125 km from Capital): Christened ‘Tulasi Kshetra’, the beach draws vacationers to its beatific estuary of the Mahanadi with islands and creeks, and plush green forests that add to the scenic beauty of the locale. October to May is the best time to head for this exciting destination. Some major tourist destinations – Udayagiri, Lalitagiri and Ratnagiri, are all within a 100 km radius.

Balasore (214 km NE of Capital): 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 (230 km from Capital): 16 km east of Balasore, is Chandipur, another pristine beach. Here the sea, recedes 5 km 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.

How to Reach
Air Sahara and Indian Airlines have 55-minute daily flights from Kolkata to Orissa. There are regular flights from Delhi (2 hr), and Mumbai (3 hr), and also to and from several destinations in South India, including Chennai and Hyderabad. If you want to travel by the train, try Rajdhani Express from Delhi (25 hr), the Howrah-Puri Express from Kolkata and so on. Puri is 1 ½ hr from Bhubaneswar, and there is regular train service between the two cities.

Snore by the Shore
Some of the most exotic beach resorts add that extra dose of spice to the Orissa vacationing expedition. The Palm Beach at Gopalpur on Sea; Hans Coco Palm Beach Resort, Hotel Toshali Sands, Hotel Nilachal Ashok on Puri are names to remember if luxury is your priority. Else budget accommodations can be had everywhere.