Water World

BEACHES

Aryapalli

30 km from Berhampur and 6 km from Chhatrapur, the beach at Aryapalli is quiet and charming where the waves speak volumes. Its bracing and invigorating climate adds freshness to the soul. A nature-loving tourist can enjoy the Sun, Surf and Sand amongst the green casuarina plantations, far from the madding crowds.

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".

Balaramgadi

The confluence of the river Budhabalanga with the sea at Balaramgadi, located 2 km from Chandipur, presents visitors a scenic view with fishing and boating.

Balighai

The casuarina fringed Balighai beach, located 8 km from Puri, is a famous picnic spot. The juxtaposition of gentle casuarina-lined river with crashing, desolate ocean coast is a strange and extremely beautiful one. One may also catch a glimpse of the shy Baliharina a kind of deer who inhabit the area. The Sea Turtle Research Centre is another attraction of this beach.

Baliharachandi

Though 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.

Baleswar

Site of a Shaivite shrine, Beleswar, located 15 km from Puri, has an interesting beach where several fun filled hours can be spent.

Chandipur

Orissa has a long coastline of over 480 km.on the Bay of Bengal interspersed by a couple of lovely beaches. Added to their seductive beauty is a vast hinter land of antiquities and holy shrines. Backed up by musical sway of casuarinas trees and creepier sand dunes, Chandipur is one such beach, but 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.

Chandrabhaga

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

Gopalpur

Hardly 16 km from Berhampur, the club of Southern Orissa, is the tiny town of Gopalpur on the Bay of Bengal. Enjoying the reputation of being a popular Beach Resort of Orissa, the deep and clear blue waters instantly provoke those who are good swimmers. The temptation of bathing here is irresistible. Not-so-good swimmers take the hands of the Nolias (local fishermen who help bathers) and enjoy a pleasant bath. White surf splashing on the golden sands makes Gopalpur-on-Sea as one of the finest beaches on the eastern coast. A fascinating haunt for avid beach combers and sea worshippers, it is a splendid retreat.

Paradeep

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.

Pati-Sonapur

Approximately 20 km from Berhampur, 35 km from Gopalpur and 4 km from the National Highway No.5 which connects Chennai and Calcutta, the virgin beach at Pati-Sonapur is one of the most exquisite on the east coast. Right on the confluence of the river Bahuda and the Bay of Bengal, the scenic beauty of the place is simply enchanting.

Puri

For centuries now, the beach at Puri has been the venue of countless pilgrims taking the traditional purification dip for Puri is the abode of Lord Jagannath and considered one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage destinations. However, for decades now, both Indian and foreign beach lovers have made it their special haunt.

The fine white sands of Puri beach and the roar of the breakers rolling in from the Bay of Bengal have fascinated visitors throughout the ages. As it is with all the beaches of Orissa, overcrowding is never a problem and the sight of holiday-makers having entire stretches of the beach to them is not uncommon.

Ramchandi

On the confluence of the river Kusabhadra and the Bay of Bengal, Ramchandi is a beautiful beach. Goddess Ramchandi, the presiding deity of the Konark region is worshipped here with reverence. Situated 7 km from Konark on the Marine Drive, Ramchandi is an ideal place to spend a couple of fun-filled hours.

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.

WATERFALLS

Badaghagra

The Badaghagra falls (about 60 metres) situated around 10 km from Keonjhar is amongst the most popular picnic sites in the region. One look at the beauty and serenity of the place is enough to understand why visitors make a beeline for it!

Barehipani

These picturesque falls (Barehipani - 399 metres and Joranda - 150 metres) situated in the core area of Simlipal National Park are perfectly complementary to their surroundings and are a beautiful bonus to the visitors of the sanctuary.

Duduma

Known as Matsya Tirtha, Duduma is famous for its waterfall (157.5 metres), as well as for the Machhakund Hydro-Electric Project.

Harishankar

On the southern slope of the Gandhamardan hills, around 81 km from Balangir, stands Harishankar, a place of pilgrimage, famous for its uncommon scenic charms and the presence of Hari and Shankar, the dual deities of the Vaishnav and Shaivite sects of Hinduism. A perennial stream gushes forth onto its granite bed to form cascades at different stages, the last fall providing a natural water slide to bathers! As a cool resort in the lap of nature, Harishankar is a panacea for the heat in the summer.

Hatipathar

3 km from Rayagada, the river Nagavali flows through a deep cut valley, forming two lovely waterfalls. An ideal picnic spot known for its scenic beauty, the place gets its name from the huge elephant shaped boulders (in Oriya, Hati means elephant and Pathar means boulder) that litter the landscape.

Joranda

These picturesque falls (Barehipani - 399 metres and Joranda - 150 metres) situated in the core area of Simlipal National Park are perfectly complementary to their surroundings and are a beautiful bonus to the visitors of the sanctuary.

Khandadhar

One of the prettiest districts on the tourist circuit is the Sundargarh region. Located amidst its lush forests is Orissa's most famous waterfall, the Khandadhar fall (about 244 metres). The beauty of this place makes it a site not to be missed.

Khanduala

The jungles of Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary, situated around 32 km from Bhawanipatna, provide the setting for another of Orissa's charming waterfall called Khanduala, so named because of the shrine of the Goddess Khanduala situated on the top of the hill.

Miriglotah

A beautiful waterfall and picnic spot situated 111 km from Rourkela is another of Orissa's lovely offerings to visitors.

Nrusimhanath

On the northern slopes of the Gandhamardan hills is the temple of Nrusimhanath located 165 km from Sambalpur  . Bhimadhar, Gadadhar, Guptadhar, Pitrudhar, Kapiladhar and Chaladhar are picturesque waterfalls at Nrusimhanath.

Phurli Jharan

A perennial waterfall of about 16 metres high, Phurli Jharan located around 15 km from Bhawanipatna, has a special charm of its own. The multi-coloured rainbows created by the sun-rays falling on the scattered water particles of the fall, creates a thrilling and magical ambience. The evergreen forests around provide ample opportunity for picnickers.

Pradhanpat

The Pradhanpat hill, with its picturesque waterfall, offers a rare scenic beauty. These falls are close to Deogarh, and are around 100 km from Sambalpur.

Putudi

Located 15 km from Phulbani, the natural beauty of the Putudi fall on the river Bada Saluki, with dense forests and hills on either side have entranced visitors over the ages.

Sanaghagra

The Sanaghagra falls (about 30 metres) situated around 5 km from Keonjhar is one of the most popular picnic sites in the region. One look at the beauty and serenity of the place is enough to understand why visitors make a beeline for this place.

HOT SPRINGS

Taptapani

The bubbling hot spring of Taptapani lies deep in the forests and high on a hill around 50 km from Berhampur. The waters, believed to have medicinal properties, are also piped directly into the bathrooms of the Pantha Niwas (tourist bungalow). The beauty of the rolling tribal inhabited hills is an added bonus.

Tarabalo

In the Nayagarh district, Tarabalo is famous for a cluster of hot springs dotted over an area of 8 acres. Located 75 km from Bhubaneswar, it makes a delightful spot for outings and picnics.

Atri

situated about 42 km from Bhubaneswar, Atri is best known for its hot sulphur springs and the famous Shrine Lord Hatakeswar temple. The waters of the spring remain at a constant 55 degrees-Centigrade (131 degrees F) and are believed to have medicinal properties. Tourists can enjoy steam bath in the Bathing Complex, located close to the spring. The winding highway leading to Atri is lined with neem (margosa), banyan, and peepul trees, and passes through scenic rural countryside making even the drive here a delightful experience.

Deulajhari

90 km from Angul, near Athamalik, are the famed hot springs of Deulajhari. The hot spring seems to flow from the bottom of a Shiva Linga, and is channelised to 36 ponds on the outskirts of the Shiva temple. Believed to contain medicinal properties, a bath in the spring has religious importance too.

RESERVOIRS

Hirakud

A mere 16 km north of Sambalpur town stands the Hirakud Dam on the river Mahanadi - the longest dam in the world and the largest dam made of earth. Hirakud is an engineering marvel as well as a stunning site. From horizon to horizon, the reservoir forms the largest artificial lake in Asia with an area of 746 sq km and a shore line of over 640 km. A twenty-one km drive on the dyke offers a unique experience of calm serenity. One can comfortably enjoy the sight of the mighty Hirakud Dam and the fantastic expanse of water from the top of the revolving minaret called Gandhi Minar on the north, or from the Nehru Minar on the other end of the dam. A considerable number of migratory birds also come here during winter.

Indravati

Originating near Thuamul-Rampur, the river Indravati makes its winding course through dense forests and sun kissed valleys till she halts at Khatiguda, 20 km from Nowrangpur, to form a reservoir in the hands of modern sculptors. The vast blue expanse guarded by green capped soaring hills makes this lake a delightful sight - a lifetime memory.

Kolab

15 km from Koraput, the river Kolab makes a spectacular jump at Bagra to form a reservoir called the "Upper Kolab Irrigation Project". An ideal place for an outing, it is also a panacea for city dwellers.

Machhakund

The Machkund hydro electric project has created a lovely reservoir that is definitely worth a visit.

Rengali

The Rengali reservoir, situated in the midst of nature's beauty, is a popular picnic spot for localites and visitors alike.

Sorada Ghai

About 80 km from Berhampur, Sorada holds in its bosom a reservoir amidst uncommon scenic charm. Popularly known as Sorada Ghai, it blends itself beautifully into an enchanting picnic spot.

LAKES

Chilika

Just south of Puri, the sea mixes in with the 1100 sq.km inland Chilika Lake to create the largest brackish water lake in Asia. These shallow waters enclose an immense area of marshes, lowlands, and islands. There are more than 160 varieties of fish, and, in the winter season (from November through March), the area is home to hundreds of thousands of migratory birds as well.

The surrounding hills and sandy stretches abound in cheetals, blackbucks, monkeys, fishing cats, mongoose, and porcupines. At the channel meeting the sea, dolphins can be seen cavorting playfully. Snakes, turtles and lizards inhabit the surrounding beach area and wooded undergrowth.

A number of islands dot the expanse of the lake. Nalbana Island, because of its varied flora and fauna, forms the core of the Chilika sanctuary. Kalijai Island is home to the Goddess Kalijai, venerated by the local fisher folk. This island plays host to a huge fair on 'Makar Sankranti' held annually in the month of January. The large fishing community adds flavor to the lake with their traditional colorful sail boats bobbing expertly across the water, reminiscent of the ancient maritime heritage of Orissa. In fact, the fisher folk can be persuaded to take visitors on their boats.

Chilika is worth visiting the year round, however, the winter months, when the air reverberates with the din of the birds, are the nicest times. Barkul, Rambha, Balugaon and Satpada are the bases for visiting Chilika, where boats can be hired.