Rich maritime history

Even prior to the British era, Gopalpur was a maritime hub under the Kalingas, only then it was known by another name, Mansurkota. The British renamed it Gopalpur after an 18th century temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. During the British Raj too, Gopalpur-on-sea was a vibrant sea port from where trade activities were carried out. Rice, silk and pearls found their way to and fro Burma, Sumatra and Bali. As a result of these activities, Gopalpur became quite a happening place and enjoyed a reputation of being a pleasure resort where dance and parties was a regular feature. This was patronized by the British and the wealthy Bengalis. The ruins of a jetty still invoke nostalgia of an era gone by.

Sleepy fishing hamlet

But with the departure of the British, this place fell back into a lull and lapsed into being a sleepy fishing village once again, so much the better for the modern tourist. If the beach at Puri is for the masses, Gopalpur is definitely for the classes. The azure waters, golden sands and casuarina-lined sea front make it a haven for those who seek to soak in the sun and meditate. The sea stretch of Bay of Bengal that presents itself here is great for surfing and sailing. An ancient lighthouse adds to the old-world charm and provides a watchtower view of the bay that is simply breathtaking.

Accommodation for all pockets

Fortunately, there is no dearth of good places to stay in Gopalpur; in fact accommodation is available to suit all budgets, from the exclusive star-class hotels and resorts to beach shacks. Colonial structures and bungalows that are converted into guest houses, serve well, too. For super duper luxury stay, there is the Oberoi Palm Beach, which incidentally happens to be the first hotel that Mr. Oberoi of the famous Oberoi hotel groups acquired.

Sea food is another great attraction out here. Fresh fish is caught and cooked for the tourists, the only catch being that the wait really whets your appetite. And why not, languorous pace is the hallmark of this beach town!

Asia's largest brackish lake

While Gopalpur can be a holiday in itself, you may want to course your way along the east coast upwards to Puri and Konarak. But before you do a trip to the largest brackish water lake in Asia, the Chilka Lake is a must. Chilka is a famous wetland and wildlife sanctuary with amazing variety of resident and migratory birds. Here canoeing, kayaking and boating facilities are available for touring the islets. As you glide through the waters uou can witness the dolphins putting up a spectacular display for your benefit. Around Chilka there are lakeside resorts and hotels to camp in, but in the tradition of that place they are truly laid-back.

Pilgrim places

Needless to say, the Jagannath temple of Puri, which is one of the char dhams or prime pilgrimage centre for Hindus, and the Sun temple of Konarak are a must-see. The Sun temple, built in the 13th century, is an architectural marvel and is famous for its exquisite stone sculptures and carvings.