Chandipur in Odisha | A weekend beach destination with the “Vanishing Sea”

After an hour drive, when we reach OTDC Panthanivas from the OTDC Panchalingeswar, the parking in front of the hotel was full of cars. The beach was just on the other side opposite our hotel, buzzing with the weekend crowd. We quickly checked into our room on the 2nd floor. The first thing I did was go to the balcony to view the sea from our room. But the sea seemed to vanish already. Well. That’s the beauty of Chandipur sea beach in Odisha. The sea recedes so far during the low tide that there seems no sea at all, just an endless stretch of muddy beach in front. So, we quickly got ready to explore this natural wonder and headed towards the beach. The sun was already behind a dark cloud and the buzzing crowd already dispersed in search of the vanishing sea.

Also read: 10 Natural Wonders In India That You Should Add To Your Travel Bucket List

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About

Chandipur is situated in the Balasore district in Odisha. It is a less explored weekend beach destination. There is a unique phenomenon that makes this seabeach one of the natural wonders in India. The sea here recedes so much during low tide that it appears vanished. Tourists walk on the seabed for a few kilometres before they get a glimpse of the sea. Whereas during high tide, the sea again comes back to shore. One can spot marine lives stuck at the empty sea bed during low tide. The endangered horse-shoe red crab can be seen in large numbers here.

Chandipur is also a crucial location for the Government of India as the Integrated Test Range (ITR) launch pad of DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organization) is located here. All the ballistic missiles like Akash, Saurya, Prithvi and Agni have been first tested from here.

The Buribalam river flows close to Chandipur. This river was a major maritime passage in the 18th century. The Danish, the Dutch, the French and the British used this river to establish trading through the town of Balasore. It was an area of shipbuilding and ship repairing back then. The town also was a manufacturing hub during that time. The muslin handkerchiefs made here was famous as “Balasore handkerchiefs”.

How to reach

Chandipur is 15 kilometres away from Balasore town. Balasore can be reached both by road and rail from the nearest cities like Kolkata and Bhubaneswar.

By road, Balasore is 240 kilometres from Kolkata and takes nearly 5 hours to drive via NH16. The distance between Balasore and Bhubaneswar, the state capital, is 200 kilometres.

Balasore is also a major station in the Howrah-Bhubaneswar train route on the main south-eastern railway network. Most of the express and mail trains to Bhubaneswar, Vizag and Chennai stop at Balasore. It takes around 4 hours to reach Balasore from Howrah station. One can hire a car or an autorickshaw to reach Chandipur from Balasore station.

When to visit

The best time to visit Chandipur sea beach is during winter when the weather is cold and less humid. During monsoon, the drama in the cloudy sky and its reflection on the seabed make a perfect landscape photography canvas. The monsoon rain also makes the ambience more romantic.

The summer is sweltering and humid here, and apart from the early morning hours, it is tough to spend time at the beach.

Where to stay

Chandipur is a popular weekend destination among city dwellers. This place has quite a few budget hotels located close to the beach, like Hotel Subham, Arpita Beach Resort and Hotel Chandipur. But the best place to stay is OTDC Panthanivas, beside the main area where the beach shacks are located. If you want a view of the sea from your room, then at present, OTDC Panthanivas is your only staying option.

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Things to see

Chandipur sea beach

The sea beach in Chandipur is a natural wonder. Well! It’s the sea than the beach which amazes tourists. Every day the sea recedes for 4-5 kilometres during low tide, exposing an extensive seabed left with interesting marine life.

During low tide, parts of the sea beach look red due to the large population of red crabs crawling on the seabed. The beach is still unexplored with its large coastline. Apart from the main visitors’ area near OTDC Panthanivas, the rest of the beach can be only accessed by walking through casuarina plantations.

This beach is under the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), which is used as the Integrated Test Range of the Indian Army. The ballistic missiles like Akash, Saurya, Prithvi and Agni have been first launched from here.

Balaramgadi village

Balaramgadi village is at 3 kilometres distance from Chandipur beach. It is situated beside the estuary of the Buribalam river. The river will always be remembered with the name of the “war of Buribalam” that was fought between a group of freedom fighters led by Jatindranath Mukhopadhyay and the British Army in 1915.

Now tourists visit Balaramgadi village to see this river and the natural beauty of the place. The fish market in the village is also one of the largest local fish markets here. Tourists often visit the market and also go boating in the Buribalam river. The Balaramgadi Temple is also a popular place to visit.

Balasore Jagannath Temple

This recently built Jagannath Temple by Emami Group is an attraction in Balasore. The architecture of the main temple is similar to Puri Jagannath Temple and built on an elevated platform like a chariot as in Konark Temple. The temple of Jagannath Temple is built of sandstone. A wall surrounds the temple complex. There are four gates on the wall. The main gate is called Singha Dwara or Lion Gate due to the two huge statues of the lion in front. There is a wheel on top of the Jagannath Temple made of eight metals called the Neela Chakra.

Apart from the Jagannath Temple, there are also temples of Lord Shiva, Maa Bimala, Goddess Laxmi, Lord Ganesha and Sankat Mochan Hanuman inside the complex.

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Other places to visit nearby

Panchalingeswar Temple

Panchalingeswar Temple is a prime attraction among Hindu devotees in Odisha and other neighbour states. The temple is situated on a hilltop. Tourists have to climb nearly 300 stairs to reach the temple. The five natural Lingas that are the temple’s uniqueness can only be felt by submerging one hand beneath a water stream. The view of the surrounding area from the hilltop is also worth visiting if you are an atheist.

Nilagiri Temples and Palace

Nilagiri is an ancient town under the rule of local kings who were descendants of a Rajput royal family from the Chotanagpur plateau. The Nilagiri kings were close to Gajapati kings, and hence the influence of the Gajapati kingdom can be seen in local traditions and culture. The ruins of the palace is an attraction for tourists.

The Jagannath Temple and Maa Bhudar Chandi Temple are two places that are also frequently visited by locals and travellers. Every year, the rath yatra is celebrated on a grand scale in Nilagiri town.

Kuldiha Forest

Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary is famous as an elephant reserve in the country. It spreads over 272 square kilometres and connected with both Simlipal National Park and Hadgarh wildlife reserves. Apart from the Asiatic elephants, this sanctuary is home to leopard, gaur, sambar, giant squirrel and many species of birds. The adjacent Rissia Dam is also an attraction for tourists. One can stay in Rissia Nature Camp inside Kuldiha Forest to feel nature in proximity. The jungle gets closed during the monsoon.

What to eat

Visiting a sea beach and eating seafood goes together. In Chandipur, you will not get many beach shacks or restaurants for that. Of course, you can ask your hotel restaurant for the same. If you are a non-vegetarian, do not forget to taste the crab, prawn and pomfret dishes in your hotel.

Medical aid

You can talk to your hotel if you need to consult any physician. For a tertiary care centre, you need to visit the Fakir Mohan Medical College and Hospital (Ph: 06782 – 240154) in Balasore, nearly 20 kilometres from Chandipur.

Child friendliness

The main tourist area of Chandipur beach, where the shops are located, opposite OTDC Panthanivas, has a few fun rides for children. There is also a small children’s park beside the beach. There are quad bikes and battery-operated ride-on cars for children at the beach.

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