One
of the most pristine beaches
of Orissa, this small 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.
One can still see the crumbling
walls and pillars of the jetty,
witness to its past glory of
commercial activity. The pleasures
of the Blue Beach and the Blue
Bay of her backwaters continue
to lure the water babies. Gopalpur-on-Sea
is a surfer's delight and excellent
for sailing.
Discovery
of a Holiday Hideout:
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.
This is the one beach that
is as yet, not exposed much
to tourism and hence still unspoiled.
If you are looking for a quiet
holiday in the lap of nature,
the beach at Gopalpur awaits
you. 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. A perfect
beach, fairly isolated and undisturbed
by the day-trippers. |
