Gopalpur Beach (Odisha)| Beach Festival, Images

Gopalpur Beach, Gopalpur Overview

Located on the east coast of the Bay of Bengal, the Gopalpur Beach is a luxurious beach located in Odisha. It is popular for being one of the few sites in India where Olive Ridley Turtles nest. Flanked with coconut and casuarina groves and is a perfect outing for a languorous weekend. The beach, also known as 'Gopalpur-on-Sea' has a calm and soothing coast. It is famous for hosting the annual Gopalpur Beach Festival and offers up the possibility of experiencing a number of aqua sports.

One of the most popular landmarks of the beach is its lighthouse which offers a marvellous view of the entire city of Gopalpur and the azure waters of the Bay of Bengal. One can also witness the exotic red crabs casually strolling on the beach's lonely coast! From enjoying a casual strol among the cashew trees or getting an adrenaline rush with water sports, there is no dearth of possibilities at Gopalpur Beach!

Gopalpur Beach Festival

The Gopalpur Beach Festival draws huge crowds each year and is one of the foremost reasons why people visit the destination. The festival is a celebration of the vibrant and colourful culture of Odisha. Started in the year 1996 by the Ganjam District Hotel Association to promote tourism and culture among the locals, the Gopalpur Beach Festival has been a massive success in putting the tiny city of Gopalpur back on the map.

The festival is usually held in December and is an absolute treat for all. The celebration of this festival is a huge deal with renowned celebrities performing live concerts and dancing to peppy beats. The locals, as well as people from other cities, entertain the crowd with a feast of dances- folk, classical and modern.

Shopping: The locals find this festival to be a great source of revenue as they set up stalls along the beach that sell items peculiar and special to Gopalpur and Odisha. Some stalls sell art that celebrates the Odisha culture and is made by local artists. Many vendors sell colourful and unique jewellery made of stone, clay or wax. If you wish, they can make you bangles or necklaces of your size and choice right in front of you! They also sell small and carefully sculpted and idols of Ganesh, Shiva and Sai Baba. Hand-made dolls and toys are also available for sale for the children.

Camel Rides: You can opt to take a long stroll along the beach alone, or you can get a camel to accompany you. Camel rides along the Gopalpur beach are a local favourite and are exciting. Two people can sit on the camel at one time, and the ride lasts for about 10-15 minutes.
Always negotiate the price with the camel ride providers. They usually start off at an exorbitant rate, but you'll be surprised at how fast they are willing to drop the quotations.

Cuisine: Gopalpur's proximity to the sea makes the seafood available here an absolute delight. In fact, the city is renowned for its fried fish, prawns, crabs and pomfrets. Many stalls are set up that sell these delicious dishes made with a local twist for very cheap rates.

Sunset at Gopalpur Beach

Tips For Visiting Gopalpur Beach

1. Apply lots of sunscreen before heading to the beach.
2. Take care of jewellery and clothing as they often get swept away by the waves.
3. Swimming in the turbid sea is usually discouraged by locals due to high tides. Better listen to them!
4. There aren't any changing rooms or washrooms near the beach. So be adequately prepared.

How To Reach Gopalpur Beach

Gopalpur is not directly connected by rail but can be reached by the nearest railhead, Behrampur Railway Station which is located only 16 km away from the main city centre of Gopalpur. You can hail a cab or an auto rickshaw, and they will take you to the Gopalpur Beach in no time and at affordable rates.

The Orissa State Road Transportation Corporation has buses plying in and out of Gopalpur quite frequently. There are talks in play of moving an inter-state bus terminus to Gopalpur which will make commuting to the city all the more easier.

All the major hotels and resorts are located on the beach itself and can also cater to your transportation needs. You can also hire private taxis or take one of the many local buses to reach the beach.