Travelling West: Towns & Cities, Beach Holidays, Hotels

Towns & Cities
RAJASTHAN - the land of massive forts, sprawling palaces and intricately carved temples of colorful tribes and brave warriors, of unrivalled form of arts and crafts, unique dance and music traditions, is changing at rapid pace. Its vast network of Museums in large and small towns, archaeological sites and the recently opened museums and art galleries in the palaces of erstwhile rulers of old states help to preserve this great heritage for posterity.

Rajasthan has been the land of the maharajas and their nobles. While the princes built the stately palaces and forts in their states-their nobles were not far behind in building suitably impressive havelis (homes of the nobles) which were in keeping with their status.

All of Rajasthan is dotted with these marvellous monuments, each one an outstanding example of the rich architectural heritage. Most of the palaces here are still being used by the erstwhile royal families; a few have sections converted into museums and hotels thus allowing the tourist a glimpse into the lavish opulence which was part of the regal lifestyle.

The havelis not big enough to be rated as palaces, and too elaborate to be called ordinary places of residence, outnumbered the palaces and forts, and they have remained with the nobles as their family homes. Almost every little village has a haveli, the size and workmanship varying according to the status of the owner. The Heritage Hotel concept is for tourists who look for something other than the usual star category hotel, which the havelis provide satisfactorily.

In a class by themselves, these heritage hotels extend their own unique services to the tourist. Dressed almost always in traditional turbans and dhotis, the old family retainers cater to the same kind of care and hospitality to the tourists as they do to their personal guests In most of these havelis the host himself is always around to ensure that the guest is comfortable and well looked after. What these palaces lack by way of five-star facilities they more than make up by the personalized service that they extend. The Department of Tourism takes active interest in promoting these heritage hotels. Some are listed below. A more detailed list is available with the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan.

Jaipur

The vibrant capital of Rajasthan is popularly known as the Pink City. A major landmark is Iswari Minat Swarga Sal, bazaars in the old city include Johari Bazaar, Tripolia Bazaar, Bapu Bazaar and Chandpol Bazaar. Stunning Rajput artistry can be seen at the Hawa Mahal, other places of interest in Jaipur are Mubarak Mahal, Maharaja Sawai Mansingh II Museum, Diwan-i-Am, Diwane-i-Khas, Peacock Gate, Jantar Mantar; architecturally impressive is the Albert Hall museum in the Ram Nivas Public gardens. A little away from Jaipur on the way to Amber is Jal Mahal the palace on water.

Jaisalmer

This desert fortress close to Rajasthan's border with Pakistan is straight out of an Arabian fairy tale, glowing with the luminescence of a mirage at sunset. Jaisalmer is a city with crenellated city walls, a magnificent fortress and exquisitely carved stone and wooden havelis.

Udaipur

This desert fortress close to Rajasthan's border with Pakistan is straight out of an Arabian fairy tale, glowing with the luminescence of a mirage at sunset. Jaisalmer is a city with crenellated city walls, a magnificent fortress and exquisitely carved stone and wooden havelis.
Places of interest are Ajmer, Alwar, Bharatpur, Chitaugarh, Jhalawar, Kota, Mount Abu, Ranakpur.
Adventure Sports: Water Sports, Horse Safari, Camel Safari, Bird Watching, Para Sailing, Balooning, Trekking

Fairs and festivals of Rajasthan

Among the better known fairs of Rajasthan are: Nagaur Fair, Nagaur (Jan-Feb.): Essentially an animal fair, it provides an opportunity to participate in some of the local sports.

Desert Festival, Jaisalmer (Jan-Feb.): One of the most popular of all festivals it is a journey into the heart of the desert, the golden city of Jaisalmer that has a charm of its own. A true show on the sands which attracts even the much traveled visitor.

Baneshwar Fair,Baneshwar (Jan-Feb.): A religious festival with simple and traditional rituals. This fair is the centre of attraction of a large number of tribals from the neighboring states of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat who join their brethren from Rajasthan in offering prayers to Lord Shiva.

Gangaur, Jaipur (March-April): A festival devoted to Goddess Parvati,the consort of Lord Shiva. It is time for young girls to dress up in their finery and pray for grooms of their choice while the married women pray for the well-being of their husbands. This 18-day festival is laced with various activities and culminates in a grand procession marking the arrival of Shiva to escort his bride home.

Mewar Festival, Udaipur (March-April): A festival to welcome the spring season. There is song, dance, processions, devotional music and fireworks where almost everybody participates.

Elephant Festival,Jaipur (March-April): A festival to celebrate Holi, this is a great occasion for the visitor to watch several elephant sports and also play this festival of colours. A show is organised with the elephants turning out in their best finery.

Urs Ajmer Sharif, Ajmer (According to Lunar Calendar): Held in the memory of the revered Sufi saint Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti, it is an occasion for thousands of believers to congregate at the shrine and offer their prayers. All of Ajmer seems to take on a festive air and several programmes are organised to mark the festivals.

Summer Festival, Mt.Abu (June): Organised in the only hill station of Rajasthan,this is the coldest place at this time of the year. Folk dances and a general atmosphere of gaiety prevails in this tiny hill resort and the tourist has ample time to relax and enjoy himself.

Teej, Jaipur (July-August): A festival to mark the advent of monsoon.Processions,women dressed in bright colours and a lot of merriment prevails during Teej. Essentially a women's festival, it is interesting to watch them enjoying in groups and at various bazaars where they turn up to shop in all their finery.

Marwar Festival, Jodhpur (October): A festival devoted mainly to the music and dance of the Marwar region. This is a festival that allows the visitor to understand and enjoy the folk traditions of this part of the state.

Pushkar Fair, Ajmer (November): The well-known and marked with largest participation of all the festivals of Rajasthan,Pushkar is an important pilgrimage as well as the venue of a mammoth cattle fair. Bazaars,auctions,music and sports are highlight of this event.

Camel Festival, Bikaner (January): An enchanting desert city which comes alive with music and dance. It is fast gaining popularity as the visitor finds an opportunity to see some unusual folk performances, camel, race camel dance etc.

GOA

There is more to Goa than sun, sand and psychedelia. The allure of Goa is that it remains quite distinct from the rest of India and is small enough to be grasped and explored in a way that other Indian states are not.

It has familiar remnants of Portuguese colonialism with the exotic picture-book quality. Roman Catholicism remains a major religion in this former Portuguese colony and also skirts outnumber saris. Goans who are known to display a relaxed humor and civility, make it a very 'visitable' place again and again.

GUJARAT

Gujarat could well be termed the 'Land of Festivals and Fairs' with almost 3,500 of them being celebrated in different parts of the state every year.
The fairs and festivals, governed by the solar and lunar calendars of old world astrology, offer the visitor an excellent opportunity to experience the diverse cultural and religious identity of the people of Gujarat. Though rooted in religion and mythology, these celebrations centering around gods and goddesses are truly secular socials in which people of all faiths participate

In Gujarat, there are many specialized tour options available to the tourist some of them being : the Mahatma Gandhi tour; Cultural tour, Temple and Heritage tour, Tribal/Textile and Handicraft, and Bird watching tour, Wild Life and beaches tour, Vibrant Gujarat tour, Tribal, Archaeological tour, Historic Art and Architecture, Cuisine of Gujarat tour, horses and Livestock , Jain Culture tour.

The sun temple at Modhera is one of the two main Sun Temples in India - the other one is at Konarak, in Orissa. Modhera, in north-western Gujarat, 119 km from Ahmedabad, is located on a high mound, on the left bank of the river Pushpawati.
DWARKA is the headquarters of the Okhamandal taluka, located in the extreme west of the Saurashtra peninsula, on the Arabian sea. The name Dwaraka is derived from the word "Dwar" (door) since, in ancient times, its flourishing was conceived to be the entry to the mainland.

The fortified city of Ahmedabad, Is situated he banks of the Sabarmati river, Ahmedabad is the largest city and a leading industrial centre in Gujarat. It is also called 'Manchester of the East' because of its thriving textile industry and a mention of this city is incomplete without mention of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad. IIM- A.
The nine-night festival of Navratri is celebrated with the maximum fervor and splendour in Ahmedabad.

The Gandhi Ashram situated alongside the Sabarmati River, was the nerve center for the Indian Freedom movement

Hatheesing Jain Temple:A rich Jain merchant built this temple outside Delhi Gate in 1850. It is built of pure white marble and profusely decorated with rich carvings, dedicated to Dharamnath, the 15th Jina or Jain apostle.

Hussain-Doshi's Gufa Popularly known as Amdavad ni Gufa it is an underground art gallery housing the collaborative effort of artist M. F. Hussain and the architect B. V. Doshi. This marvel of contemporary architecture was constructed using computer aided design and tribal initiative, adding a new dimension to viewing art.

Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary About 60 kms. from Ahmedabad, is the delightful bird sanctuary visited by millions of magnificently coloured birds in winter and spring. It harbours over 250 species of wetland birds. Winter migrants from the north including Rosy Pelicans, Flamingoes, White Storks, Brahminy Ducks and Herons visit Nal Sarovar.

Akshardham, the highlight of Gandhinagar houses a beautiful Swaminarayan temple, with a theme park containing tableaux of the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Lothal About 82 kms from Ahmedabad, this ancient city offers an incredible insight into one of the world's oldest urban cultures and the largest civilisation of it's time-the Indus valley civilization or Harappan culture.

Jamnagar, , was one of the most important princely states of Saurashtra. It is about 310 kms from Ahmedabad via Rajkot and is often called Chotta Kashi or Benares, for it's innumerable Hindu and Jain temples. It is known for its tie-&-dye work on fabrics, silken & gold embroidery.

Kachchh is a fascinating land and no visit to Gujarat is complete without a sojourn to this peninsular district. It is known for producing exquisite handicrafts like embroidery, tie die fabrics, enameled silverware and other handicrafts. The great Rann of Kachchh is also a breeding ground for the flamingo, pelican and avocet species of birds.

Baroda, the City of Palaces has often been called the cultural capital of Gujarat and is filled with relics of it's princely past.

Chorwad is a quaint little beach village about 66 kms. from Junagadh and the only beach in India where one can live in the timeless splendour of a palace built by the former Nawabs of Junagadh. It is ideal for weekend getaways and family picnics.

Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, which is the last stronghold of the lion outside Africa, and supports a thriving population of panther, hyena, spotted & Sambhar deer, the world's only 4-horned antelope, Indian gazelle, blue bull, wild boar and marsh crocodile

Palitana Amongst all the Jain temples, Palitana temples are considered to be the most sacred. Located on Shetrunjaya hills there are 863 temples, exquisitely carved in marble, and of great religious and artistic importance.

Porbander the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi situated about 395 kms from Ahmedabad is a picturesque seaport on the Arabian Sea, known as "White City" because of its white stone construction. Gandhiji's Kirti Mandir, Sudama Mandir, Bharat Mandir, Planetarium, and Chowpati are other places of interest.
Situated on the banks of river Tapi,Surat is a major industrial center with many textile mills. It was a great port city during the Mughal region from where pilgrims sailed to Mecca. It is famous for zari and brocades and is an important diamond-cutting center.

Beach Holidays

Gujarat has the longest coastline stretching around 1666 km. A visit to the gujarat beaches is an emotional one. You can spend hours just staring at the clear blue waters with not a sound to disturb you, except the twittering of a bird or dropping of the leaves.

Ahmedpur Mandvi Beach, Beyt Dwarka, Chorwad Beach Diu Beach, Dwarka Beach, Gopnath Beach, Kutch Mandvi Beach Madhavpur Beach and Somnath Veraval Beach

Gujarat's picturesque hill station Saputara is perched on a plateau at an altitude of about 1000m in the Dang forest area of the Sahyadari Range.

Beaches in India
When it comes to beach holidays in India the choice is unending. The foremost choices of beach travel in India include the beautiful sea shores of Goa, where the tropical sun bathed beaches of Anjuna, Baga & Dona Paula have something for every visitor. Other beaches such as Kovalam,(KERALA) Marina (TAMIL NADU) and Juhu,(MUMBAI) not just focus on tourism they are also venues for recreation and entertainment for the local population and the outstation tourists.

Some popular beaches near Mumbai:

Ganapatipule The sun-kissed beach and lush green of Ganapatipule inevitably draws tourists back, year after year. The added attractions are a 400-year old temple which houses the Swayambhu Ganapati. Ratnagiri, the birthplace of Lokmanya Tilak, and Thebaw Place, where the deposed king of Burma was confined.
Water Sport facility available (Except during monsoon).
Convenient railhead is Ratnagiri, 50 kms. on the Konkan Railway.
Mumbai-Ganapatipule, 375 kms. via Mahad.
Pune-Ganapatipule 331kms.
State Transport buses ply from Mumbai and Ratnagiri to Ganapatipule. MTDC bus plies between Mumbai & Ganapatipule. (Seasonal)

Dahanu a quiet seaside town with a sprawling, uncluttered beach, is situated in Thane District. The Dahanu-Bordi stretch is 17 kms. This once-barren land thrived under Irani settlers. Dahanu is lined with fruit orchards and is famous for its fruit- chickoos. Accessible from Dahanu is Udwada -- an important place of worship for the Zoroastrians -- with a large, beautiful temple that houses their sacred fire. An amazing fact but true, this fire has been kept alive for almost a thousand years.
Nearest airport is Mumbai, 145 kms
Nearest railhead is Gholwad, 2 kms. Also accessible from Dahanu Rly. Station. 15 kms.
Mumbai to Bordi is 145 kms. Dahanu to Bordi is 15 kms.
State Transport buses ply regularly between Dahanu Road and Bordi

Velneshwar
North of the Shastri River lies the idyllic village of Velneshwar. The quiet, coconut-fringed beach offers the visitor the ideal opportunity for swimming or just relaxing . There is an old Shiva temple in the environs which is often frequented by pilgrims. Velneshwar is the focus of attention once a year in March, when the Maha Shivratri Fair is held in honour of the god Shankar or Shiva. The nearest railhead is Chiplun on the Konkan Railway.

By road, Mumbai via Chiplun and Guhagar is 370 kms away.

Beaches of Goa
Goa has a 120 kms long coastline by the Arabian sea. Wedged between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats, with the giant states of Maharashtra and Karnataka engulfing it on three sides. Calangute, Baga (North Goa) Anjuna (North Goa) Vagator (North Goa) Arambol Beach ( North Goa) Candolim Beach, Colva & Benaulim (South Goa).

Calangute is the most popular holiday resort in Goa
Baga is the north end of Calangute beach with clean white sand.
Bicycles can be hired at many places in Calangute and Baga at a very nominal cost. Location : 16 Km from Panaji South of Vagator beach, Anjuna is one of Goa's most popular beaches, though the headland is rather too rocky for comfortable swimming. The Wednesday flea market is huge and very popular. Full moon, when the parties take place, is a particularly good time to be here 18 Km from Panaji.

Arambol A unique beach in the north Goa, is both rocky and sandy and much sought after. It has a sweet water pond right on the shore that's very pleasant to lie about in. You can give yourself a mudbath with the mud that lines the bottom of this pool, said to be very good for the skin; and there's a hot spring nearby. The seashore is beautiful and the village quiet and friendly, with just a few hundred locals, mostly fishing people. Location : 50 Km from Panaji.

Candolim Beach is one of most frequented and popular beach of Northern Goa. The beach starts at the footsteps of the highly acclaimed Fort Aguada, built by the Portuguese in 1612.This sandy stretch runs into Calangute Beach, a busy and commercialized center. Location: 15 Kms from Panjim

Getting There: Its a 5 min ride by a scooter from Calangute. Buses to and from Panjim are available.

Colva & Benaulim is located in south Goa. Among the best beaches, Colva is Goa's longest beach with 20 km of virgin white sands, palm fringed and sun drenched.
Location : 39 km away from Panaji Palolem It is one of the most enchanting beaches in Goa and relatively deserted, with backdrop of Western ghats. 37 km from Margao.

Nagoa. A palm-fringed, largely deserted and secluded beach, Nagoa is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beaches in India. Just twenty minutes refreshing drive from Diu will bring you to Nagoa Beach which with a stretch of about 2 Km from one end to another with a unique shoe-shape.
Getting There : Diu Airport is in operation. Flights are operated from Bombay regularly. Nearest railhead is Veraval, about 80 km from Diu.

Devka is a beautiful and unspoilt beach Situated in the southern part of Daman near the Gujarat border with a long shore-line situated in the northern part of Daman. The shore is most suited for swimming as it is danger free. The department of Tourism has provided sun-shades, picnic platforms and benches near the beach. Getting there:Just 168 km from Bombay by rail-road and about 193 km by the national highway. Close by the sea, with an option to entertaining oneself lazing on the beach, swimming or enjoying water sports facilities.

Ahmedpur-Mandvi is one of the finest beaches of the country. A picturesque and popular resort here promises a fascinating experience of living on the seashore. Getting There: The nearest airport is Keshod, 145 km which in turn is connected with Bombay. Delwada railway station, (9km) 298 km from Ahmedabad.
Ullal is just 5 km from Mangalore. With its picturesque casuarina groves, beach cottages and a swimming pool one can spend tranquil hours seeking peace in this paradise.
Suratkal a little beyond Mangalore is an excellent beach with a wide shore to stroll on. 15 Km from Mangalore.
Malpe is known for its silvery beaches that offer breathtaking views of the sea. An idyllic resort for boating, fishing and bathing the town lies 10 km off Udupi and Manipal and around 386 km from Bangalore. Udupi is at a distance of 60 km from Mangalore. Mangalore is well connected with regular flights from Bangalore and Bombay and road distance from Bangalore is 365 Km (8 Hrs).
Kovalam is 12 Km from Trivandrum. One of the most popular in southern India. An uncluttered beach of silvery sands fringed with rows upon rows of tall palms, a sheltered bay, a wide choice of water sports.
Kannyakumari, the southern most tip of Indian peninsula, is the spot where three seas- the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian sea meet. It is perhaps the only place in India, where a sunset and moonrise occur simultaneously over the sea on the night of full moon. Location : 88 kms (1.5 Hrs) from Trivandrum.
Kappad is the small historic beach near Calicut, where Vasco - de - Gama landed in India on the 27th of May, 1498, A.D. with 170 men in three vessels. The rock studded, pleasant beach is locally known as Kappakadavu. An interesting feature of the landscape is the sprawling rock that protrudes into the sea. The temple on the rock is believed to be 800 years old. The nearest place of attraction is Calicut which is one of the major cities of Kerala. Calicut was a leading trading centre of spices on the West Coast of India during the Medieval period. Ruled by the Zamorin dynasty, Calicut found a place in World History with the discovery of sea route to India in 1498 by the Portuguese navigator. The landing of Gama at Kappad near Calicut changed the political scenario of India, which ultimately ended with its colonization by the British. It remained under the Madras Presidency till the formation of Keala in 1956 after Independence.

Anjuna Beach 8-km west of Mapusa, is one of the most popular beaches of Goa. Anjuna attracts a variety of tourists with a range of budget from backpackers to luxury holiday makers. Even those particular kinds of tourists who prefer to travel within the limit of their tour itinerary, cannot resist visiting this charming beach site.

Calangute Beach
A 45 minute bus ride up the coast from the city of Panjim brings one to Calangute, Goa's busiest and most commercialized resort. This peaceful fishing village was a favorite hideout of the hippies in the 70's and 80's. Today, Calangute beach symbolizes Goa's reputation as a haven for beach and coastal splendor.

Water Sports At Calangute
Calangute also makes a perfect beach site if you want to indulge in some water sports activities. Parasailing, water skiing and wind surfing at the Calangute beach starts in the afternoon when the wind is blowing just in the right direction and it goes on till sunset.

Eating Out Joints & Restaurants
Calangute's bars and restaurants are mainly grouped around the entrance to the beach and along the Baga road. As with most Goan resorts, the accent is firmly on tempting seafood, though many places also serve vegetarian dishes. Western breakfasts also feature prominently at some of the restaurants in Calangute.
At the place where two of Goa's famous rivers meet the Arabian Sea is the secluded bay of Dona Paula with a fine view of the Marmagoa Harbour. This beach of Goa carries with it an aura of both romance and myth - haunted by Dona Paula de Menezes; tourists throng the Dona Paula beach not only in search of the deceased beloved, but also to indulge in water sports on the clear waters. The Dona Paula Beach offers an opportunity to the tourists to have a sunbath and enjoy water scootering and motar boat rides.

Exotic Locales Surrounding Dona Paula
7-km from Panjim, nestled on the south side of the rocky, hammer-shaped headland that divides the Zuari and Mandovi estuaries, this former fishing village is now a commercialized beach resort. Beside the beach water sports attractions, other places of interest are the official residence of the Governor of Goa, known as Cabo Raj Bhavan, situated on the westernmost tip of Dona Paula. Along the road leading to this place lie the ruins of the small military cemetery the British built at their brief occupation of the Cabo, to deter the French from invading Goa.

The Legend Of Dona Paula
Named after Dona Paula de Menezes, the Dona Paula beach is popularly known as the "Lovers Paradise" due to a myth that has been attached to this place. According one legend the Viceroy's daughter after facing objections from her family about her love affair with a poor fisherman jumped of the cliff.

Another legend says that punished for captivating Francisco de Tavora, the Count of Alvor with her charm the Viceroy's daughter was pushed off a cliff to drown in the waters below. Her irrepressible spirit still continues to haunt every visitor with legends of her lovers. She is even supposed to have been seen emerging from moonlit waves wearing only a pearl necklace.

Nearby Beach Sites
Two more beaches are also located within the proximity of the Dona Paula Beach. These are the Miramir beach, which lies 4-km north of Dona Paula, and the Vainguinim Beach, which is situated 1-km west of the beach side.
Shopping At Dona Paula
Shopping can become a much more enjoyable experience at the beaches of Goa. Dona Paula is one such place where several shops are located along the beachside, selling variety of goods ranging from eatables to clothes. Fishermen-turned-local vendors also sell straw hats, lace handkerchiefs, and spices in these shops. Feni and port wine, which are the two Goan liquor specialties are a must buy and local liquor is easily available. If you are interested in buying Indian handicrafts and jewellery, then visit the Indian Arts Emporium in Dona Paula.

Kovalam Situated on the Malabar Coast along the Kerala shoreline is a small village of Kovalam. This quiet town of Kovalam came on the tourist map, when its beautiful and secluded beaches were discovered. Today Kovalam has become one of the most popular beach hangouts in India. Kovalam means a grove of coconut trees which are aundant along the beaches.

The Three Beaches Of Kovalam
The beaches of Kovalam can be divided in three parts. The southern most beach and the most popular from the three, is the Lighthouse Beach. Further south on the beach one can have a spectacular view of the Vizhinzam mosque, but photography is prohibited here.

The middle beach is called Hawah. Each morning this beach acts as a base for the local fisherman. The northern most beach, Samudra, is least affected of all by the changing times. It is dotted with few rudimentary wooden fishing vessels.

Water Sports At Kovalam
Kovalam is a natural bay ideal for kayaking, swimming, surfing and skiing. One can swim in the shallow blue water and have a sunbath in the exotic tropical sun can adorn you with a good suntan. The coast at many places is lined with beautiful patches of coral reefs or you can crest the waves on logs of lashed woods on catamarans.

Leisure & Entertainment Activities At Kovalam Beach
When you are tired of aquatics, swimming or sunbathing, you can explore the handicrafts, jewellery and cloth shops spread along the waterfront. Not to speak of the delightful seafood fare including lobsters available at the beach-side restaurants of Kovalam.

In the evening the quiet atmosphere of the Kovalam beachside is enlivened by Kathakali performances, the classical dance-drama of Kerala. At present Kovalam is developed not only as a beach resort, but also as a Yoga and health center. One can have Ayurvedic massages and oil baths or learn in detail the methods of doing Yoga and meditation taught by experts.

From Kovalam, you can go for a backwater cruise to the beautiful countryside of Kerala paddling country boats, enjoying its lush greenery. A few hotels even offer houseboats, country boats and catamarans for the tourists at reasonable rates.

The Marari Beach, Mararikulam:
Marari originates from " Mararikulam ", one of the local fishing villages, where life still goes on much as it did a hundred years ago, with the men going out to sea each day to earn a living bringing in the daily catch. Marari offers endless miles of superb sand beaches backed by swaying palms, virgin territory where you can experience the local charm and traditional Kerala Hospitality at its best.

For a more upbeat day, a visit to Cochin is a must. Being one of the most important trade centers on the " Spice Coast " this is the place to do a spot of shopping and who knows you could actually find a genuine antique in one of the many shops in Jew Town. It is said that until now Marari has been one of India's best kept secrets.

Gopalpur
One of the most pristine beaches of Orissa, this small beach is a splendid retreat for sea worshippers, located about 16-km from Berhampur. Originally, 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.

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.
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 of the country, Gopalpur reverted to what it was originally, 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. A golden beach fringed by sand dunes and ruins of an old jetty from where, in medieval times, sailors set out to Indonesia, make this an ideal place for a relaxing holiday.

Chilika Lake:
Situated at a distance of 45-km from Gopalpur and spreading over an area of 1,100-sq-km, this is the largest brackish water lake in the country and attracts large number of migratory birds.
Taptapani:
As the name suggests, is a hot water sulphur spring situated around 67-km from Gopalpur.

How To Get to Gopalpur Beach
Air:
Situated 180-km away, Bhubaneswar is the nearest airport from where one can take flights for major cities such as Delhi and Calcutta.
Rail:
The nearest railway station is Berhampur on the Howrah-Chennai line of Southeastern Railway. One can take trains to Calcutta and Chennai from this place.
Road:
Gopalpur is connected by motorable road to Barkul (75-km), Berhampur (16-km), Bhubaneshwar (180-km), and Puri (242-km). Auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws are available to move around.

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