Home to ancient temples, golden shorelines, and picturesque beaches; Puri is an alluring beach town in Odisha. Every year thousands of tourists flock its beaches on the Bay of Bengal on their visit to the revered temple of Lord Jagannath.
There are several beaches in Puri that let you enjoy a striking sunrise and sunset. You will find people coming to the beaches in the evening and enjoying brightly lit kiosks. Gracefully sitting on the Bay of Bengal, Puri is mostly covered in sprawling sands and transient waves which offer visitors a mesmerizing beach experience and some truly incredible ocean views. For those itching to step out after the lockdown for a peaceful quiet break, head to these empty beaches in Puri for a relaxed weekend. Book a safe and convenient Savaari cab in Bhubaneswar and enjoy a contactless ride to these beaches. Although their cabs are disinfected well after every use, don’t forget to carry sanitizers and wear face masks for your safety.
- Chandrabhaga Beach
The largest and most popular beach, Chandrabhaga Beach is situated very close to the Konark Temple. Perfect for those who wish to bask in the natural beauty and peace of the surroundings, the sandy beach offers a host of water sports for visitors to indulge in for the perfect amount of fun. Do sample the local cuisine from the shacks on the beach.
- Puri Beach
Located on the coastline of Odisha, Puri Beach is the perfect place to enjoy a sunkissed shoreline and gentle waves to dip your feet in. Puri Beach is also surrounded by ancient holy temples that add to the charm and serenity of this beach. The beach is also the venue of the very famous Puri Beach Festival which amazes its visitors with its colours of festivity, excellent artworks and the cultural dance programs held in the winter month of November. Hire a sanitized, safe car in Bhubaneshwar and head to Puri Beach in the company of your friends and family.
- Golden Beach
Adorned with fine white sand and crystal clear water, Golden Beach is located at a distance of 20 kilometers from Puri on a little diversion on the highway leading to Konark. The beach is spotless and desolated with only the sound of waves crashing to give you company. The sunlight falling on the sand makes the beach look like a painter’s artwork. When visiting this beach, make sure to catch a glimpse of the magnificent sunrise and sunsets from one of the sunset points.
- Balighai Beach
The Balighai Beach is situated on the Puri-Konark Marine drive road and is at a distance of 8 kilometers from Puri. The beach is fringed by trees like casuarinas, Alaska, and Eucalyptus that provide a nice green blanket. Just adjacent to the beach is the Sea Turtle Research Centre, where one can find the large turtles fluttering around in their tanks and the Balihirana Sanctuary, which has the protected and endangered Balihirana antelopes. Both these places are a great option for animal and photography lovers.
- Swargadwar Beach
The beach is known to have great religious importance as Swargadwar literally translates to ‘Door to Heaven’. Legend has it that this isolated beach was the place where Lord Jagannath entered from heaven on earth and it is believed that souls of people cremated in Swargadwar beach directly reach heaven. Devotees and visitors can be seen praying and bathing at a place known as ‘Mahanadi’, as they believe a holy dip in the waters of the ocean will usher them to heaven.
- Baliharachandi Beach
A quieter and an offbeat beach compared to the others, Baliharachandi Beach is where you can drink in the tranquillity in abundance. The beach is located between Puri and Konark. You can find local fishermen catching little crabs, seashells, and lobsters in and around the beach. The unobstructed view of the sea flowing into the Bay of Bengal is a sight to behold and makes up for the lack of entertainment options available here.
With the bustling beach festival taking place in November every year, the beach has become a favourite spot for both Indian and international tourists. Its convenient distance from the Sun Temple and as well the city of Bhubaneswar sure make it an ideal place for peace-loving holidaymakers to enjoy a meaningful escape.