LOCATION
Gopalpur is amongst the popular beaches in Orissa. Gopalpur-on-Sea is a beautiful and small beach resort located along the Bay of Bengal in the eastern Indian state of Orissa. Gopalpur extends from latitude 19°16' in the North to longitude 84°57' in the East. The place is 16 km away form Berhampur, on the Howrah-Chennai main line.
HISTORY OF GOPALPUROriginally a small fishing village on the coast of Orissa, it was so named when a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna was constructed some time in the 18th century. Apart from its temple, Gopalpur was distinguished for its magnificent beach and was discovered as a perfect winter resort. Soon hotels and guesthouses lined its seafront. The East India Company built huge warehouses and godowns because the trade with Burma had picked up and Gopalpur had become a trading point for rice from Rangoon. In those days, there were dances and parties that continued until the early hours and wealthy Bengalis from Calcutta made it their holiday home. Till today Gopalpur is amongst the popular beaches in Orissa.
Gopalpur's importance dwindled when trade with Burma abruptly ceased during the war and never revived again. When the British left India, even members of rich Bengali homes preferred to holiday in other places and Gopalpur reverted to what it originally was, a fishing village.With an increase in tourist trade in the late seventies, and the opening of luxury hotels, a slow revival began and today Gopalpur-On-Sea is one of the foremost beach resorts in India. Though now there are many popular beaches in Orissa.
Chilka LakeSituated at a distance of 45 km from Gopalpur. Spreading over an area of 1100 sq km, this is the largest brackish water lake in the country and attracts large number of migratory birds hemmed between the blue capped mountains and creamy blue water of the Bay of Bengal this pear shaped lake provides nesting, watering and breeding grounds to many local and migratory birds from as far off as Siberia. Boating facilities are available here. A Naval Eastablishment, INS Chilka is located here.
Sun Temple - Konark
The language of stone defeats the language of the man in this towering chariot of the Sun God, famous through out the world as the `Black Pagoda’. Exquisite artistic images register pure body forms of the classical Odissi dance of Orissa. Its life- size images are unique in the World.
Shri Jaganath Temple - Puri
One of the four `Dhams’ of India and abode of Lord Jagannath, it is situated on the shore of the Bay of Bengal and has been Centre of Pilgrimage since the days of history. This 65 meters high temple was constructed in 12th Century AD.
Tapta Pani
The sulphur spring here is bang on the state highway about 60 km from Army AD College. The hot water is channelised to a pond nearby to facilitate sulphur bathing for visitors. There exists State Guest House near the spring besides a well constructed Tree-House
Taratarini
The Temple of Goddess Taratarini adorns this hill top from where the natural panorama is enjoyable. It is located about 30 km from Army AD College.