The beachy affair: Top five beautiful beaches of Odisha

Clear blue sky, a warm bright sunny day, silvery sand and the boisterous roar of mighty Bay of Bengal. Who wouldn’t be mesmerized! The breeze carries the smell of ocean along with the rhythmic sway of the coconut trees.

My love for beaches is quite natural being born in Odisha.

Blessed with approximate 500 kms long coastline, Odisha is host to some of the finest beaches in the world. The sheer diversity of this state will win you over in an instance. The temples and monuments, wildlife and flora, beaches, mountains and waterfalls are the ingredients to a perfect mix for a dream destination.

For all the beach lovers, here are the top five most beautiful and pristine beaches in Odisha (Orissa).

1. Beleswar beach

Famous site of a Shavite shrine, this beach is my personal favourite in the list. Located approx. 15 kms away from Puri, is one of the most picturesque and secluded beaches in the state. You can feel the nature brushing against you, as you start walking towards the beach from the Shiva temple. The pathway is surrounded with thick Causrina trees on both sides right up to the sparkling sands of the beach.

Although it’s a major attraction and is quite famous among beach lovers, it has not been taken over by the overcrowding tourists and hawkers yet. Free from modernization, this beach lets you enjoy the sunrise and sunset in serenity.

2. Puri beach

The land of Mahaprabhu Lord Jagannath, this place doesn’t need any more description. Puri beckons pilgrims from all over the world who come over to pay homage to the Deities. It is one of the Char-Dham pilgrimage sites for Indian Hindus.

Puri beach is the most popular beach in Odisha. It caters to thousands of visitors on a given single day. One can spend hours enjoying the beautiful crowd enjoying the lapping waves kissing the shore, children running to chase the receding waves, tourists excited for their first horse or camel rides, hawkers selling brilliant pieces of handiworks and shells.

3. Chandrabhaga beach (Konark)

Hardly, 3 kms from Konark temple, this beach is named after the famous Chadrabhaga River which emptied into the sea here in ancient times. In fact, the Konark temple is believed to have been built near the forest area where the river met the sea. Today, the river has dried up and the name is all that remains.

Unlike Puri beach, this beach is cleaner and less visited. The clear blue water turns to a shade of aqua-blue as they rise into waves. There is a small fisherman village around and you can chance upon the eyes of fishermen with their boats.

4. Chandipur beach

Uniquely distinct for an unsual phemomenon, Chandipur beach is a magical beach indeed. The sea recedes away from the shore line about five kms everyday– an enthralling sight you don’t want to miss! Chasing the waves when it is receding is an unforgettable experience. You can literally take a walk into the sea!

This rarity gives this beach an opportunity to support a varied range of bio-diversity. It’s quite common to find a horseshoe crab or red crab crawling on the sandy beach.

The best time to visit Chandipur is in winter, between October and March.

5. Talasari beach

Just 10 kms away from the famous Digha beach, lies a secluded shoreline with vast stretches of green paddy fields, numerous rivers, and blue hills. A flat beach with small and playful waves, it’s the Talasari beach.

The name Talasari is derived from two Oriya words – Tala (meaning Palm) and Sari (meaning row). The name holds its significance due to the palm trees surrounding the beach. Tala also means rhythm in oriya, which is also linked to the rhythmic waves of the sea.

Talasari beach is a less known beach, even to the people of Orissa. People who are familiar with the place also know that this beach is quite enchanting due to the backwaters. One needs to cross the backwaters to reach the sea shore.

Where the red crabs play hide-n-seek and gentle waves lap on the palm fringed shore, it is indeed an ideal destination to rejuvenate in the lap of nature.

“Because there's nothing more beautiful

than the way the ocean

refuses to stop kissing the shoreline

no matter how many times it’s sent away.”