The Silk City, Berhampur(Odisha) - The Abode of Serenity and Bewildering Beauty

Berhampur, the southern capital of Odisha is one of the most wonderful places in the state, particularly famous for its nostalgic locales and fabulous beaches. Located just off the East Coast of India, Berhampur greets a visitor on his arrival from the southern part of India and wishes him happy sojourn to discover the bewitching Eastern part. The commercial capital of the state, it is also a great shopping centre for famous silk sarees and handicrafts.  Apart from being an important trading center, the city also boasts of some of the best academic institutions of the country. Some of the best engineering, medical, pharmacy and mainstream schools and colleges are located in this city which boasts of its uniqueness and completeness. The Berhampur University is one of the oldest and major Universities of Odisha.

A sweet mixture of East and South Indian cultures makes it a foodie’s paradise too. The rich and spectacular tourist spots in and around the city makes it one of the most sought after travellers destinations in the country. Berhampur is a major Railway Station and is well connected to all other places of the country. The nearest airport is Bhuvaneswar. There are a lot of fantastic accommodation facilities in and around the town.

Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berhampur

Things to Do and See in Berhampur:

Gopalpur On Sea

If You are looking forward to enjoy a few tranquil moments away from the noise and worries of the world, then Gopalpur on Sea is your perfect destination. Located about 16 km away from Berhampur, Gopalpur on sea is one of the pristine beaches of India. The auburn sand beneath the clear blue sky, the limitless blue sea glistening with the bright sunlight, the clusters of coconut and palm trees, vast stretches of casuarina plantations account for a picturesque setting of the place. 


Gopalpur is a standing witness to the odisha’s ancient maritime glory. The clumbering walls and remains of an ancient jetty speaks volumes about the vibrant sea trade carried out of Gopalpur port in the past. The old light house which used to guide the ships to the shore at one point of time still stands there blinking over the changes that have taken place over the years. 


Sunrise and sunset at Gopalpur are simply spectacular. The flawless natural beauty, scenic surroundings, well maintained accommodation units, hospitable people living around the beach form one of the most sought after tourist destinations of the country.

The Drive from Gopalpur to Chatrapur along the coastline provides a enchanting and everlasting experience for travelers. The Gopalpur port is also a noteworthy place to visit in this locality. There is a beach festival organized on the shores of Gopalpur in the months of December - January and during this time The place rises to the occasion and becomes the most happening places to visit. The Mayfair Resort now adds to the list of fantastic staying options in the sublime and serene beaches of Gopalpur.

Gopalpur Panthanivas Website: http://www.panthanivas.com/gopalpur.html

Tampara Lake

Nearer to the NH-5, about 15 km from the city of Berhampur,  right opposite to Chatrapur is the beautiful and bewildering Tampara lake. With gentle waves and cool breeze breaking on the shores, Tampara offers great avenue for water sports and evening relaxation and recreation activities.
On the opposite side of the highway, the lake has a beautiful strip of land sandwiched between the Tampara lake and the Bay of Bengal. This strip of land has vast stretch of cashew plantations where one can take a leisurely stroll in the evening and afternoon hours. An exciting trek of about 2 kms across these cashew plantations, leads to the beautiful beach on the Bay of Bengal. Huge funds have been sanctioned for the development of Tampara Lake to a exciting and pleasurable natural ecosystem.
There are plans to organize an annual summer festivals to attract tourists to this location. To facelift the wonderful site, there are also plans of having more water vehicles, floating restaurants and houseboats, over bridge and road surrounding the lake, parks and parking areas.

Annapurna Market-Girija Restaurant Square-Rama Linga Tank area 

This shoppers paradise can be considered as the downtown area of Berhampur. This location is the most happening place in Berhampur, and You can continue shopping throughout the day and all around the year. You get a variety of street food for which Berhampur is well known in this locality. 

Along with being a superb shopping location, this location is also the center for movie theatres which are mostly located in close proximity with this area. You find a lot of people sitting on the banks of the huge Rama Linga Tank in the evening to enjoy the cool breeze and chitter chatter in their friends circle. There is also a Hanuman Temple and a huge Hanuman Idol on the main road to be seen. The City's Main Trading Points of Bada Bazaar, Sana Bazaar, Hanuman Market, Barracks, Ganesh Market, and Aska Road are located at walkable distance from this location. The Gandhi Park and Biju Pattanaik Park are located in the heart of this area.

Gandhi Park

Its probably the oldest park in the city and is located in the prime location right in front of the famous RamaLinga Tank. It’s a small park and is usually visited by old people and kids.

Biju Pattnaik Park

Located in the prime location of the city(near to Girija Restaurant Square, Hanuman Bazaar and Annapurna Market), it’s the newest favorite hangout place for the youth and kids. It’s the biggest of all the parks in Berhampur with facility of paddle boating in a good sized man made pond inside the park. You also get good street food for which Berhampur is famous around the park area.

Nehru Park

Situated near Hillpatna and Railway station Road, This is a cute and lovely park for a evening stroll. It’s a park for all age groups and is very lively all around the year. 

Courtpeta Square Park

It’s a new park right on the Courtpeta Square adjacent to the Courtpeta Lord Jagannath Temple. With a pond at the centre and attractive plantations around the pond, it’s a beautiful spot for a evening or early morning walk.

Taptapani

The hot suplpur springs with natural medicinal properties is the prime attraction of this place situated about 50 kms from Berhampur. Besides being situated in the midst of nature surrounded by lush green forests, Taptapani is a favorite tourist destination. The OTDC run Pantha Nivas provides perfect accommodation facilities. The water from the hot sulphur springs are also piped into the bathroom of panthanivas. The beauty of rolling tribals inhabited hills is an added bonus.

Taptapani Panthanivas Website: http://www.panthanivas.com/taptapani.html

                      

Rushikulya Muhana

An ecological site, where river Rushikulya meets the Bay of Bengal. Known as the Rushikulya Muhana, it acts as the mass nesting ground for the Olive Ridley turtles who come here in large numbers every year during winter. The Olive Ridleys mate in the offshore waters and come ashore for laying eggs. After 7-10 weeks, the eggs hatch and the young Ridleys march towards the vast ocean to begin their life cycle.

Chilika in Rambha

Nestling in  the  heart  of coastal  Orissa,  Chilika is India’s biggest inland lake. Spread over 1,100 square kilometers stretching across the length of the three districts of Puri, Khurdha and Ganjam and finally joins the Bay of Bengal through narrow mouth, forming an enormous lagoon of brackish water.
Dotted with many emerald green islands with colourful names such as Honeymoon Island and Breakfast Island, Chilika is home to a rich variety of aquatic fauna. It is also a sanctuary and winter resort for migratory birds, some coming from as far as Siberia.
Containing a large variety of fish, the lake provides a livehood to thousands of fisherman. Hundreds of boats sail out daily on the lake’s blue expanse in search of mackerel, prawn and crabs- the sight providing an insight into the pageant of rural India at its colourful best.Encircled by hills all along its arched shape shores, Chilika lake’s colour changes with passing clouds  and the shifting sun. The water ripples languidly, occasionally dancing with a gentle breeze from across the Bay of Bengal.
The various places of interest in Ganjam pertaining to Chilika are:

• Nalabana : An asylum for long-range migrants in winter.
• Birds Island : A haven for resident and migratory birds.
• Kalijai : Adobe of the island Goddess” Kalijai”.
• Parikuda & Malud : Colourful islands with the lake.

Nirmal Jhar

The renowned monument was constructed by Raja Balukeswar Mardaraj, the most popular and unconquered king of the Mardaraj dynasty of Khallikote in the year 1676. The sacred spring of Nirmal Jhar(Clean Water Spring) originates from the foothills of Marua mountains. Inside this monument there exists temples of Shri Neelakanteswar, Godess Bimala, Radha Krishna, Shri Jagannath, The Sun God and Magar Kund(the pond). The world famous, sacred and worth seeing places conveys the glorious and immortal tradition of Khallikote region. This place is situated at 3 km away from the western side of Khallikote town, under the hills of Marua and is very close to the Chilika Lake. This is about 5 to 6 km interior of the NH-5 towards direction of Bhubaneswar from Berhampur.

Tara Tarini Hill Shrine

The temple of Taratarini, where the twin sister Goddess Tara and Tarini are worshiped with great enthusiasm is situated on the top of a small hill surrounded with the waddling holy river Rushikulya. The temple attracts thousands of devotes and visitors throughout the year. As per the Hindu calendar, on all Sankranties and all the four Tuesdays in the month of Chaitra, huge number of visit the temple and worship the deities. Along with being a famous place of worship, the spot is also a spectacular warehouse of natural beauty. Trekking thru the hills provides enchanting experience with forests on both sides of the stairways. The sight of River Rushikulya from the top of the hill is breath taking.

Tara-Tarini is one of the most ancient Shakti Pithas of Odisha. Goddess Tara-Tarini is worshiped as the presiding deity in almost every house in South Odisha.Everyday devotees from different parts of Odisha come here to offer the first bunch of hair of their children. Hundreds of barbers with license are engaged for the execution of this task at the hill.

Sevral festivals are observed in Tara Tarini temples namely Sankranti mela, Dola Purnima, Chaitra Purnima, also known as Phalguna Purnima, Chaitra Parba (February - March), Basantika Parba, Chitalagi Amabasya, Gamha Purnima, Saptapuri Amabasya, Saradiya Parba and Dipawali.

Ariel Rope Car are available to shift visitors from Taratarini foothill to Top of the hill, where the daity dwells. There are good accommodation facilities and package tours provided by OTDC.

Tara Tarini Temple Website: http://taratarini.nic.in/

The other major places of interest in and around Berhampur include Mahuri Kalua Temple, Vhairavi Temple, Pati Sonepur Beach, Siddhi Vinayaka Temple in Hill Patna, Dhavaleswar Beach.