Paradeep Beach: Indigo Beach on the Mahanadi Delta
Located 125 kms away from the state capital Bhubaneshwar in the Mahanadi Delta, Paradeep Beach is considered by many to be among Orissa’s most prolific beaches. Paradeep beach is most famous for its clear indigo-coloured waters and beautiful rocky outgrowths.
Places to visit in Paradeep Beach
- The Paradeep beach is among Orissa’s premier tourist destinations, and is located in a region that is lush with historically significant cultural and tourism sites. There are many temples in the region surrounding the Paradeep beach, and quite a few of these are among the most prominent temples in Hinduism.
- The region surrounding the Paradeep beach is also blessed with many natural sites and beaches. Perhaps the most prominent tourist attraction near Paradeep beach is the Baladeva temple, which is located in the nearby Hindu temple town of Kendrapara. Kendrapara is also referred to as Tulasi Kshetra. Another popular Hindu pilgrimage site is Jhankad, which is located 60 kms away from Cuttack. Famous for the temple dedicated to goddess Sarala, Jhankad’s other claim to fame is that it was the home of one of Orissa’s earliest epic poets, Sarala Das.
- Jhankad is also famous for its annual car festival, which attracts lots of car and automobile enthusiasts from all over India.
- Bhitarkanika National Park, located nearby, is one of India’s most prolific national parks. Situated by the seashore, the Bhitarkanika National Park is a dedicated crocodile sanctuary that is spread over an area of 367 sq kms.
- The Bhitarkanika National Park is home to a wide variety of animals and is covered by mangroves that are criss-crossed by many rivers, canals and rivulets.
- Another famous wildlife tourism site is Gahirmatha, which is perhaps most known for its sea turtles and water monitor lizards. The beach at Gahirmatha is also the home of rare white crocodiles, and a nesting place for Olive Ridley sea turtles. Gahirmatha is also home to a park dedicated to deer and migratory birds.
Paradeep Beach- Travel tips, languages spoken, cuisine
- Languages: Oriya and Bengali are widely spoken in the region surrounding the Paradeep beach, and as such communication should not be a problem. English and Hindi, too, are spoken by a significant number of people.
- Cuisine: Cuisine catering to all tastes and stomachs is readily available in Paradeep beach.
Many tour operators cover the Paradeep beach as part of their Orissa tours and east India tours. The waters surrounding the Paradeep beach are rich in aquatic life and make for excellent fishing points.
Best time to visit Paradeep Beach
The Paradeep beach can be visited any time of the year. However, during the monsoons, that is, between the months of June and September, one may not be able to soak up a whole lot of sun. Further, as the Paradeep Beach is decently accessible from the major towns and cities of the region, it has become one of Orissa’s and neighbouring West Bengal’s premier weekend getaways. Consequently, the Paradeep beach is not so secluded during the weekends.
Best way to reach Paradeep Beach
- By Air: The nearest airport is Bhubaneshwar, which is a decent 125 kms away. Bhubaneshwar is among India’s most prominent domestic airports and as such is well-connected to many major cities across the globe and within the country.
- By Rail: The nearest railhead is Cuttack (located some 90 odd kilometres away), which is one of the more important railway stations in the region and as such is well-connected to the major cities in the region. Cuttack lies on the Chennai-Kolkatta mainline, and many express trains passing through have a halt here.
- By Road: The Paradeep beach is well connected to all the important cities and other beach resorts in the region. Local transport largely consists of non-metered auto rickshaws.
Accommodation
Hotels, inspection bungalows, beach villas, private cottages, etc. are available to suit all budgets. The Paradeep beach abounds in family holiday resorts, vacation homes and beach houses. One can obtain excellent discounts on accommodation via package beach tours and beach holidays.