Abode of Lord Jagannatha, literally Lord of the World, Puri is one of the four holy places in India. Located on the shores of Bay of Bengal, it has one of the finest beaches in the world. The population size of Puri is 125,000. Puri is situated at sea level. It has an equitable type of climate, with maximum temperature varying between 25-33 degree Celsius and minimum temperature varies from 18-26 degree Celsius. November to March is the best time to visit Puri.

An ideal beach resort of Orissa situated 16 kms. from Balasore, 200 km from Cuttack and 230 km from Bhubaneswar, awaits you for a memorable experience along its shores. It is a unique sea beach where seawater recedes about 5 kms. during low tide and advances to the shoreline again during high tide , each day. For assistance contact: Government of Orissa Tourist Office, SPA Marketing Complex, Block-B, Station Square, Balasore. Tel: (06782)-62048.

Air: Nearest Airport is Bhubaneswar, 214 km.

Rail: Neelanchal Express, Puri-Howrah trains stop at Balasore, from where Chandipur is 16 kms. away and is approachable by road.

Road: Balasore (16 kms). NH5 links the town with Bhubaneswar in the south and Calcutta in the north. Accommodation Hotel Shubham, Tel 06785-72025 OTDC Pantha Niwas, Tel 06785-72251

The Gahirmatha beach in Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary is the largest breeding ground of `Olive Ridley' turtles in the world. The temple of `Nahak Babu', is a renovated Khakara temple and enshrines Durga, Uma Maheshwar and other sculptures. Another small but compact and beautiful temple built in sandstone of reddish hue is found close by.

On the Bay of Bengal lies this favourite spot for sea lovers. Warm and gentle sunshine greets you and the golden beach is an ideal place to swim or laze around. Once an ancient seaport, today Gopalpur-on-sea is a modern beach resort fringed by sand dunes attracting tourists from all over the world. Nearby are the ruins of an old jetty from where sailors set out to Indonesia in medieval times.

By Air: The nearest airport is Bhubaneswar, 186 km away.

By Rail: Berhampur, 16 km away, is the nearest railhead and an important one on the South Eastern railway, linking Vizag in the south and Bhubaneswar to the north.

By Road: Berhampore -16km from Gopalpur-on-sea and 180 km from Bhubaneswar ; Balugaon - 110 km from Gopalpur-on-sea and 2.5 hr drive from Bhubaneswar, Barkul - 113 km and Rambha - 60 km short of Gopalpur.

8 km from Puri, this is a sea beach and Sea Turtle Research Center. Witness tranquility turning into an unforgettable vacation along this quaint beach along the coastline of Orissa. The beach is bordered by casuarinas plantations. Its serene environs are an ideal getaway from the tensions of the city life.

The place is famous for it's sun temple. The population size of this small town is 12,000. Although most people make a day trip to Konark from Puri or Bhubaneswar, it's a wonderfully peaceful place to spend a few days. However, there isn't a lot of accommodation here as yet.

Paradeep offers evergreen forests, a huge estuary of the Mahanadi with islands and creeks, a good marine drive and beach. This is a major commercial seaport of the country. It is 94 kms. from Cuttack and 125 kms. from Bhubaneswar.

Air: Nearest Airport is Bhubaneswar, 125 kms. away.

Rail: Connected with Cuttack, 94 kms. away.

Road: NH-5A links Paradeep to the 3 major tourist towns of Udayagiri, Lalitgiri and Ratnagiri, all within a 100 kms. radius. The drive along the coastal belt is fascinating. Accommodation The Golden Anchor, near Officers Club. Tel 22647-8. OTDC Pantha Niwas at Panthasala at Dhabaleswarpith. Tel 20264.