The hustle and bustle of the city life take a toll on us. The body, as well as the mind, aspire for frequent breaks. An extended weekend is most welcome as it provides the chance for a short trip. There are places in and around Kolkata which are not yet crowded enough to make you feel like a claustrophobic. A three-day-weekend often becomes the reason for a mad debate on what should be the ideal destination. If you want to enjoy the serenity of nature along with the bustling sea waves, you can be zeroed down to Chandipur, Odisha.
Chandipur or Chandipur-on-Sea is a small sea resort that is unique in its own way.
It is only 16 km from Baleswar or Balasore and is one of the many beaches in Odisha on the coastline of Bay of Bengal. Chandipur has the usual beauty and attractions of a sea beach, but a rarity has made it one of its kind. In any other beach, the waves come and go relentlessly, the continuous sound of the waves always keeps you aware of their mighty presence, but here the waves “vanish” at times and, come back again dancing to the rhythm of their own music. The ‘vanishing’ or ‘receding’ sea is the star attraction of Chandipur.
Yes, here the sea ‘vanishes’ during the ebb tide! Wondering? Actually, at Chandipur beach the sea recedes up to 5 km during the low tide. It’s a great spectacle as the sea surges or retreats.
Surrounded by tall Casuarina trees swaying their heads in the breeze, with some temporary shops here and there, the beach is still very much pollution free and peaceful. One can feel the essence of nature here.
This wonder of nature also gives the tourists the pleasure of walking through the sea literally when it’s ebb tide. Even you can take a jeep ride if you like. The sea surges back at regular intervals, so there is no risk involved. Millions of red crabs and their holes are to be seen on the beach. The crabs are of different types according to the locals. Perhaps the uniqueness of the sea has given rise to the biodiversity of nature.
Sight-Seeing From Chandipur
You can visit a few adjoining places in and around Chandipur. The car service is available and can be arranged easily either by yourself or by the hotel. It’ll be convenient and saves the time if you leave the matter to the hotel authority.
We stayed at the OTDC Panthanibas resort, a decent place with wonderful room-service. We visited the Panchalingeswar Temple which is about 45km from Chandipur.
The serenity of the temple, nestled between the verdant Nilgiri Hills, will rejuvenate your mind. The five ‘lingams’ symbolising Lord Shiva are to be found at the top over which runs a perennial waterfall. You’ve to go barefoot to reach the top climbing a flight of stairs.
Don’t forget to have a glimpse of the Nilagiri which is famous for the Jagannath Temple. If you’ve some more time, you can also trek up to the temple. The various shades of green all the way will make you awestruck. Nilagiri is about 30km from Chandipur.
5km from Nilagiri lies Sajanagarh, a quaint village famous for the temple of Goddess ‘Bhudhar Chandi’. The intricate stone-works on the walls of the temple are astonishingly beautiful.
Remuna, 25km from Chandipur, is the site of the temple of “Khirachora Gopinath” that is, Lord Krishna. The ambience of this temple will make you feel the divine presence of the Lord.
Chandipur is thus a great family destination. It’ll also be the best if you want to spend a couple of days alone or with friends. The pristine beauty and silence of Chandipur will surely rejuvenate your body and mind.
How to Reach: A number of trains are available from Kolkata/Howrah. After reaching the nearest railway station, Balasore or Baleswar, hire a car/auto to reach Chandipur beach in about 40/45 minutes. Direct bus services are also available from Kolkata (Esplanade). It takes about 5 hours to reach Balasore City Centre by bus.
NH5 passes through the Balasore town.
Where to Stay: OTDC Panthanibas is the best place to stay in Chandipur. Besides that, there are other reputed hotels like Arpita Beach Resort, Hotel Muktangan etc. It’s better to book prior your trip especially if you have elders and kids with you.
Here is a very short glimpse of the sea during the high tide.
OTDC Panthanibas booking details are here
sad Dr abdul kalam azad is no more
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Yes, the news really made me sad… 😦
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That is sea in the video how come it has muddy water?… looks like the temple surround by nature had its charms as well…especially the water falls and hills… You have seen a lot more ofcourse, Puri and places I was a photo in another blog page. When did you go there summer time?… there is some turtle hatching in a place in Orrissa, I think Chatrapur beach or something… reading about that only got to know something about Orissa, surprised it has so many beaches. I hear these places in Andhra always affected due to cyclones, anyway.
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The water was increasing at that time…it was the sand mixing with water that gave it the color… 🙂
Yes, Chatrapur is a beach in the Baleswar distrcit, near Gopalpur.
You know much about the state..:-) Thanks so much for commenting, dear… 🙂
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Your post with beautiful shots and write up tempting us to visit this place.Is the shivalingam under the river?Thank you so much for sharing this.
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Glad you enjoyed it…:-)
The Shivalingam actually goes under the water during the rainy season when the waterfall flows in full swing…
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Fascinating!
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have heard about balasore somewhere but never chandipur…thanks for posting here and bringing it to my notice!
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Pleasure… 🙂
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Such lovely peaceful place. I want to go there and get lost. 🙂
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Nothing more would be more blissful than that… 🙂
Thanks Nisha…
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such a beautiful place…and lovely write up
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Thanks Balaka… 🙂 glad you liked it…
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Abundance of natural beauty and i would like to collect those ” scattered thoughts”!!
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Thanks so much Vandana… 🙂
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Am just back from a holiday – do not tempt me into another 🙂
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Hehe…. 😀
Hope you’ve enjoyed your trek and trip… 🙂
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These are some lovely shots there, Maniparna! Looks like a lovely serene place.
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It is, Beloo 🙂 Thank you so much for stopping by…. 🙂
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Hmm! what a beautiful place. The serene surrounding makes it an ideal place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city life. Nice post Maniparna.
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Thanks, 🙂 . Yes, a small, serene seabeach it is with a uniqueness of its own…
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Love the Panchalingeshwar images…beautiful! And like the transformation of your blog 🙂
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Glad you liked it Moon… thanks a lot… 😀
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Very lovely nice post and great pics……
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Thank you so much … 🙂
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Beautiful place, a treat to the eyes.
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Thanks … 🙂
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This place is awesome and your shots made it all the more desirable.
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Thanks Saru, the place is really beautiful… 🙂
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Beautiful place, beautiful pictures and the minute I saw it was a beach I was all excited 🙂
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Hehe..thanks a lot dear… waiting to see your tour pics… 🙂 ❤
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beautiful pics… seems like a lovely place 🙂
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It is…thanks dear… 🙂
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I want to go there too and watch the vanishing sea!
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Thanks Mridula, I’m sure you’ll be there some day… 🙂
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Looks so nice and uncommercialised… an ideal place to relax!
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Right…it’s still not very much publicized… Thanks .. 🙂
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I see a continuous application of the neighbouring state advantage in the right way 😀 😀
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😀 ….
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nice post,great pics
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Beautiful pictures..and looks like an interesting place. I particularly am intrigued about panchlingeshwar. Is it a natural formation? Is the pict in the post?
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Thanks Lata ..:-)
Yes, it’s a natural formation. Actually, you’ve to lie down to touch the lingams under the water. We visited during the monsoons and the waterfall was running with full strength. So we didn’t get the chance to touch it. If the main attraction is Panchalingeswar, I suggest you to visit during the winter. Summer is extremely hot and climbing those stairs might take a toll.
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Great place! Wonderfully covered through text and clicks! Thank you Maniparna 🙂
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Thanks Amitji, glad you liked the pictures and the account… 🙂
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Very elaborate coverage. Thank you for the precious pics.
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Thanks Indrani… 🙂
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Been to Chandipur during my college excursion. It’s indeed a beautiful place. Loved the photographs and the post dear. It brought back old memories 🙂
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Thanks Purba. It really is a beautiful place. Nice to know that this has enliven your memories… 🙂
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must go to this place one day.
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Great…hope you’ll like it… 🙂 Thanks a lot for dropping by… 🙂
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Now that looks like a serene getaway Mani ! Loved the images specially the one with scattered shells on the sand .. you have used in one of your prompts too na !
I was made aware of the vanishing sea while answering the quiz for Amrita .. so today I was glad to see a post I know something about beforehand .. he he 🙂
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Hehe, yes dear, I went there quite a couple of times and these pics are a compilation from those visits.
You’ve a great memory 😛 😀
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I have lived in Gopalpur Odisha for a year and the beach beauty is different from other tourist places. Havnt visited Chandipur though. Definitely will go when my husband gets posted here again.
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Gopalpur is also a nice place. Nice to know that this post has made you feel going to Chandipur…. 🙂
Thanks for dropping by…. 🙂
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I loved Chandipur and the nearby Simlipal forest. Kobe geley??
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me too 😀 Besh koyekbaar gechhi… last gechhi praay 2 months aage… Visited Similipal also, the forest has been exploited much during the last 7/8 years…. 😦
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so green and beautiful 🙂
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Thanks a lot Joshi… 🙂
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naaiceyy!! That looks like quite a trip Maniparna :).. I have been wanting to go to Orissa from such a long time. The coast looks amazing, and the natural landscape too. I love it for their art too. Would love to check some of their tribal art forms. I had met one of the tribal artists in Mysore when he was here to perform. Amazing stuff!
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True, the art and artifacts of Odisha are really praiseworthy. Also, the architectural splendour of temples. Chandipur is a peaceful beach and one can enjoy the serenity of the nature.
Hope you get the chance of visiting the state soon… 🙂
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Well it’s a pleasure to debate over a place for a weekend getaway. Probably the best heated argument 😀
Orissa is a much lesser known/heard state for me. This was a good look through Orissa. How far is it from your place?
Those rocks and the sea in the video can make for a good landscape shot provided there is not that much crowd there, and if you have the right kit 😀
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Yes, such an argument always ends with a happy note… 😀
Odisha is my neighbouring state…just as TN and Karnataka to Kerala…. it takes a few hours by train to reach Chandipur from Kolkata and a few more by car.
The video is of very poor quality, I know… 😦 I captured it with my Dell Tab… just an experiment… 😛
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Oh ok. That’s great. I know someone who is from Orissa here in WP.
So another product review on the cards 😀 Sorry I couldn’t control, lol he he
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😀 Nope, I’m done with that product..the reviews were there 6/7 months back… 😛 you missed them… 😀 😀
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I read that. I did comment on it as well.
Just pulling your leg. 😛 That’s why I said a sorry. 😛
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Hehe… nothing to be sorry… 😀
I think on this year’s annual WP report, your name will top my card in the ‘comments’ section… 😛
Thank you so much..keep up the good work… 😛 😀
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Really? No way. I can’t be in the top 5 of your comment section, though you are at the top in mine.
You are a superstar in blogosphere and I am a junior artist. 😛
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LOL…. I’m still laughing at the comparison…. 😀
But honestly, I think we all are same… venting out our rants on our very won digital diaries… 🙂
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Too modest as usual.
Not just rants for both of us I am afraid. We have much more than that in our blog. 😀
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😀 😀
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Lovely photos!
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Thank you… 🙂
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Oh how very special Maniparna – now I could really relax in Chandipur. Thank you for sharing this place with us.
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Thanks a lot Mary…. have a beautiful week ahead… 🙂
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Thank you Maniparna, same to you!
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