Balugaon

This is the famous port for fishermen who visited this small time town in search of livinghood. Now more than thousands of fisherman has made this small time town their home.

This town is situated on the banks of the largest salty lake of Asia CHILIKA. And thus provides much scope for fishing to many a people who live in this town.

With rich cultural heritage, of its own this town has been a place of attraction from both incountry as well as foreign visitors.

Best visited during the months from October to March when the CHILIKA lake is filled with Birds and when the weather of this region is very good.

Chilika

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Queen of natural beauty, Chilika, the largest brackish water lake in Asia covering an area of over 1,100 sq. km is a great attraction for the tourists for fishing, bird watching and boating. In winter Chilika aflutters with thousands of indigenous and migratory birds of many varieties from far and near - even from the distant Siberia. The fabulous beauty of Chilika which has inspired poets to sing its glory and which can be best enjoyed from Balugaon, Barkul, Rambha and Satpada must be seen to be believed. One can also have a glimpse of the lake from the moving trains and vehicles on the road near these places. The atmosphere is just serene and undisturbed amidst the blue expanse of water on one side and an evergreen range of hills on the other. Dotted with a host of islands with romantic names, a cruise in Chilika will be a life-long memory.

Places of tourist interest in Chilika : Kalijai Island, Honeymoon Island, Breakfast Island, Birds Island, Nalabana (Island of Reeds), Parikud Island, etc. are some of the important and interesting spots inside the lake.

The Island of Kalijai is famous as a center of religious worship due to the temple of Goddess Kalijai where a big fair is held on the occasion of Makara Sankranti that falls in January every year. The Island of Nalabana, 8 km in circumference occupies a unique place in the vast expanse of Chilika Lake as it happens to be the central point for the migratory birds. One can view the dolphins at Chilika mouth near Satpara.

During especially the winter season this lake becomes crowded with visitors both human as well as avian visitors from as far as Siberia in northern hemisphere. Birds in millions of numbers throng to this lake during the winters and stay here from october till march and then they return back to their own countries.

It is really a wonder how these birds travel thousands of miles to reach the lake and return the same way without any sophisticated equipments of instruments.

Maa Bhagwati Temple, Banapur

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Famous for the time honoured temple of Goddess Bhagabati, Banpur has earned celebrity as a center of religious activities. Once it was the capital of Sailodvaba dynasty, responsible for the construction of the early group of temples in Bhubaneswar. The large number of Buddhist images discovered at Banpur relate the place to the Vajrayan cult of Buddhism. The temple of "Dakshya Prajapati" is a fine specimen of extraordinary artistic excellence of Orissan art.

Salia Dam

Situated in a scenic and serene environment, this is a very nice and established picnic spot.

Birijai Temple

Situated in deep jungles, this is a very famous picnic spot, and ideal for people interested for trekking in deep forests.

Mamu-Bhanja Hills with Seeta Maa Kunda (1KM)

These are two hills which form the gatewat to the town of Balugaon. Having a mythological importance these two hills are considered very holy by the people of the southern orissa.

There is also a small temple atop the hill and a small spring of water which is never dry perenially, known as Seeta Maa Kunda.

OTDC Pantha Nibas, Barkul (4KM)

One of the few Pantha Nivas situated on the banks of Chilika, in a very beautiful and scenic surrounding, with facilitites for water sports as well as tourism. It is one of the most visited places of Chilika visiting tourists. It is situated on the National Highway No 5. And is easily accessible.

Narayani Temple (14KM)

The scenic splendor of Narayani on the lap of the celebrated Vallery Mountain is a famous place in the eastern ghats. Itsromantic setting with a perennial spring and green mango groves attracts a good number of visitors every day. The holy shrine of Goddess Narayani (Durga) with six hands is a great attraction for the devotees and picnickers.

Approach
Rail : Nearest railway Station is Chilika 5 kms. Ballugaon- 15 kms of S.E. Railways
Road : Good motorable black top road from N.H.-5 to the spot (5 kms) from Chilika).
Air : Nearest Air Port is at Bhubaneswar- 112 kms.
Distance from Dist.Headquarters 48 kms. State Capital 120 kms.

Nirmal Jhar (18KM)

Nirmaljhara has earned its name as an ideal place for picnic as well as pilgrimage. A stream that emerges out from the feet of a Vishnu image enhances the importance and sanctity of the place.

The place named after Nirmaljhar (Pure Water) i.e. Sanctified by a perennial stream, let channelised to different ponds, Hallooed Shrine of Lord Vishnu. The place is embellished with sculptures, arbors, idols and other carryings of highest workmanship.

Near By Attraction
Jhadeswar Temple(Lord Siva) 4 kms, Sankaleswar(Lord Siva) 9 kms, Khallikote Kings Palace - 2 kms
Approach
Rail : Nearest railway station is Khallikote 9 kms.
Road : Right on the State Highways from Berhampur to Khallikote- 7 kms from N.H.-5.
Distance from Dist.Headquarters 37 kms. State Capital 126 kms.

Kalijai (on chilika)

Kalijugeswar (Deepa Mundia)

(on chilika) (4 Hour Journey on boat)

Nalabana (Natural Bird Sanctuary)

Sea Mouth

It is where the Chilika Lagoon meets the sea. Built beautifically this meeting place of the two water bodies is a much sought out place of visitors to Chilika, where one can see the sea entering into the territory of the Chilika lake.

Dolphin Point

Chilika is also famous for the Dolphins it has in its waters. On an average day one can find a herd of dolphins swim freely in the waters of Chilika. Fishing has been banned in those areas of Chilika where dolphins are most seen.

These dolphins are not same as fresh water dolphins. They remain in groups and swim across by the side of your boats on many occasions. Largely harmless these simple creatures attract a lot of tourism to this region.

Tara Tarini (40KM)

The temple of Taratarini, the twin Goddesses, is situated on the top of a blue capped hill. The beauty of the place is enhanced by the encircling river Rushikulya. The shrine draws huge crowd throughout the year especially on every Tuesday in the month of Chaitra. The place is well connected by regular bus service from Berhampur.There is a Revenue Inspection Bungalow here for accommodation whose reservation authority is Tahasildar, Chhatrapur.

Taratarini is a famous religious place in Southern Orissa where the twin sister Goddess i.e. Tara & Tarini adorn the sanctum situated on the top of a hillock girdled by the waddling holy river Rushikulya. Taratarani attracts thousands of devotes, picnickers and visitors through out the year. Special auspicious dates connected with the rites and titular of the twin goddess i.e. the four Tuesdays in the month of Chaitra and that of the all Sankranties in Hindu Calendar. Walking over 999 steps from the foot of the hill, to the hill top under shadows of green plantation is very much amusing and pleasure making.

Siddha Bhairabi (100KM)

The place is named after the presiding deity Goddess Bhairabee at remote village Mantridi. Carved in crude fashion, the Icon (one legged Goddess with four hands) was explored by a ploughed and was enshrined as such in a newly adorned temple in the year 1937. According to legend, fisherman and sailors used to worship the deity for blessings before commencement of their journey.

Bhairabee now a day has become an important Sakti Pitha Venerable for the valorous seafaring by the fisherman community who lives in near by villages. Tourists from almost all parts of southern Orissa as well as northern Andhra Pradesh visit this holy shrine every day. The important dates with the deity are the Sankranties of Hindu Calendar, and all Tuesdays.

Approach
Rail Nearest major Railway Station is Berhampur- 18 kms.
Road 4 Kms from N.H.-5 at Golanthara and 18 kms from Berhampur.
Accommodation Facilities Nearest accommodation is available at the Spot. The temple administration is provided simple accommodation in its premises. A wayside Amenities Centre of State Tourism Department is available at Bhaligada- 6 kms.
Distance from Dist.Headquarters 40 kms. State Capital 195 kms.

Gopalpur on Sea (80KM)

The sea shore town of Gopalpur with her blue beach attracts visitors round the globe and offers 'Sun - Sand - Surf' to them. The back waters of the Blue Bay enhances the beauty of the quiet beach. Far from the maddening crowd, the sea side resort makes every moment a cherished experience. Gopalpur is frequented by regular bus service from Berhampur.

One of the most pristine beaches of Orissa, this quiet beach is a splendid retreat for sea-worshippers, located about 16 km from Berhampur. Once a humming seaport, Gopalpur offers its visitors a slice of serenity in environs that are conducive to introspection and conviviality. You can still see the crumbling walls and pillars of the jetty, witness to its past glory of commercial activity. Now, plans are on to revitalise the port again and make it fit for modern ships. The pleasures of the Blue Beach and the Blue Bay with her backwaters continue to lure the water babies, Gopalpur is a surfers delight and is excellent for saling too.

Taptapani (125KM)

50 km from Berhampur, amidst lush green forests is Taptapani where there is a hot water spring. The hot water is channelised to a pond nearby to facilitate fascinating baths. Regular bus service operates to this place from Berhampur.

A Panthanivas of the OTDC provides accommodation to the tourists. A pipeline drawn from the hot spring provides the natural hot water inside the bath rooms of this Panthanivas.

Also of attraction is a small deer park where there are as many as hundreds of deers are kept in open for the visitors. This whole region has been declared as a forest and hunting for animals has been banned here.

It is famous for a perennial hot spring of Medicinal Sulfuric Water which is located on the State Highways that connects Berhampur with Western Orissa. Being surrounded by a cluster of hills and thick forests, the serenity of nature at Taptapani is added by wonderful sights of sun rise, sun set moon lit night, tribal dance and music, chirps of birds and sight of wild animals. The place as such attracts large numbers of tourists of all category. Poets, writers, scholars, picnickers, holiday makers and newly weds can best exploit the place through all seasons.

Khallikote Palace and Art School (18KM)

Jagannath Temple at Khallikote (18KM)

On Board Conference on hired Boat

Orissa tourism Development Corporation provides an unique facility for willing visitors to have meetings on board a large vessel, where people can make meetings conferences and also have lunch or dinner on board.

OTDC takes care of the programmes and provides mouth watering dishes on board the vessel. This vessel can be hired on rent on a per hour basis with a capacity to accommodate more than fourty visitors this is the best one can think of.

Also you can forte into the waters of Chilika at night on this boat and have a cocktail party on board if you wish of course for a small extra fee.