Chandipur (a.k.a. Chandipur-on-sea) is a beach and sea resort located in the Balasore district of the Indian state of Odisha. Apart from being a land of cathartic spiritual experiences, immortal art, and immemorial architecture, Odisha features the most timeless tales, brilliant beaches, and lavish landscapes, with their own stories.
This particular beach is unique for its 'Vanishing Sea' phenomenon, which occurs here twice a day. The ebb tides recede offshore up to 5 k.m. (3 miles) and disappear rhythmically, leaving behind only the shells, which offers visitors the opportunity to walk on the sea bed. The sea reappears when the tides are high, at a regular interval, twice a day. The beach gets flooded during high tide so very popular as Hiding and Seek beach. Chandipur is the only beach in eastern India, and one of the few beaches in the world, to exhibit this mysterious behavior.
This unique and ecologically feasible natural phenomenon has resulted in the enrichment of the biodiversity of the marine sea creatures in the area. The beach began to convert into a biodiversity hotspot when the sea began to disappear. Due to reappearance of seawater from 5 k.m., horseshoe crabs, ghost red crabs, starfish, and sea urchins thriving further along the beach are brought to the shore.
Another captivating fact about this scenic and beautiful beach is that Chandipur is home to D. R. D. O. (Defence Research and Development Organisation) Integrated Research Range of the Indian Strategic Forces Command at Abdul Kalam Island (formerly Wheeler Island), where the test-firing of ballistic missiles is done. Previously, several Indian missiles including nuclear-capable Shaurya, Agni and Prithvi ballistic missiles, as well as Akash and Barak 8 surface - to - air missiles have been launched from this missile launch site.
Chandipur is a silent, pristine, pleasant coastal village in the eastern Indian state of Odisha, exhibiting one of the finest fishing harbors in the country, giving it the name of 'Maach Rajya' (fish state) of India.
The beach gets its name of 'Vanishing Sea' or 'Hide and Seek' beach due to the sea receding at low tides and reappearing at high tides.
70 kilometers from the coastline, is an island, which was known earlier as Wheeler's Island, and further renamed as 'Abdul Kalam Island' after the 'Missile Man of India' and former president, Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.
Chandipur has a vivid mark on pages of history due to its geographical specifications. The nearby fishing harbor of the Budhabalanga River used to be a major maritime passage in the 18th century. This passage was used by the British, Dutch, Danish, and French to expand their business and establish factories. A few vestiges remain in Balasore. Chandipur was a region of shipbuilding and ship repairing due to the vast knowledge of the natives who were resourceful and skilled in navigation.For this reason, Balasore became very popular as a nautical circle in the whole world in 1872, due to which a shipbuilding company in Glasgow named after Balasore. Balasore also was a textile manufacturing hub, manufacturing a brand of muslin handkerchiefs called Balasore Handkerchiefs. This was followed by a subsequent factory in England to manufacture Balasore Handkerchief. There was a tiny French colony at Balasore by the name Loges.
The rich history of Chandipur also encompasses the Bengal Pilot Service, which is the earliest and oldest assembled maritime service of the nation. This Bengal Pilot Service played a pivotal role in leading foreign ships through Balaramgadi near Chandipur for passage from Balasore to Calcutta.
There exist settlements like Dinamar Dinga, Farasi Dinga, and Oladanj Sahi even to this day, which proves the link of Europian maritime nations with Balasore. The remains of two large Dutch tombs from the 16th century can be found within the Barabati High School. Remains of a British cemetery in Damodar locality, consisting of 33 gravestones from the 18th century, including the tombstones of Sir Hennery Rickett, the first collector of Balasore, and his wife Lady Rickett, who had served the people as a doctor when Odisha was reeling under the Bengal Famine. The cemetery also holds the headstones of the heroes of the British Royal Navy, Captain Morgante, and Captain Francis Walter, who was responsible for their active lead in various battles in the cities of Madras (now Chennai), Goa, Harispur, Pipli Port and Balasore.The banks of Buribalam river is the site of the encounter between freedom fighter Bagha Jatin and the then British Commissioner Charles Tegart. Here, Jatin Chandra Mukherjee, popularly known as Bagha Jatin was shot twice during his encounter with the British Force. But the mighty river proved his respite, allowing him safe passage to Barabati where his bullets were taken out. Nevertheless, he was caught later and detained in Dhyari jail, and in his memory, the state government donated the Bengal Government a patch of five bigha land at Chashakhanda.
Not far from Chandipur, is nestled the Panchalingeswar temple in the middle of a hillock of the Eastern Ghats. The deity of worship is Shiva, and his five lingas are enshrouded in a stream of perennial water. It is believed that the lingas were enshrined by Sita, consort of Lord Ram. However, other sources cite King Banasur as the installer of the lingas. According to folklore, King Purnachandra Mardaraj Harishchandan was the discoverer of the lingas. In the foothills of the ghats, Nilgiri townhouses the palace of local king Purnachandra Mardaraj Harishchandan and a Jagannath Temple. The palace, though deserted now, stands as a testimony to the vast riches of the land, letting the architecture of high walls and sculptured gates speak for itself. Originally, the palace was situated at Sajanagarh, 7 kilometers from Nilgiri Rajbari. The queen, after a dream vision of Goddess Bagalamukhi Durga, urged the king to set up a shrine for the goddess Bhudhar Chandi (an incarnation of Goddess Durga) at Sajanagarh. Remuna, 27 kilometers from Nilgiri is famous for Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who stayed there for two nights on his way to Nilachal, as Puri was known by then. His footprint is engraved on a stone on the temple premises. The King of Odisha, Langula Narasingha Deva, is known to have enshrined the idol at Remuna.
Chandipur is known as the Missile Village of India. On May 30 1885 D.R.D.O established this village as per the order of Government of India located near the coast of Bay of Bengal nearest to Chandipur for different kinds of experiments. The first firing was witnessed on the 7th of November, in the year 1895. The key role in this establishment was played by some notable personalities like Captain R. H. Mahon, Lt. Colonel R. Wace, and Major General A. Walker. The establishment became functional in 1896 and has had a panoramic and panoptic growth, ever since it was taken under the wing of D. R. D. O. in the year 1958. Since the last 125 years, there has been tremendous growth in the establishment. The crescent-shaped coastline of Chandipur does not cause any damage to human habitation nearby. As of now, several Indian missiles including nuclear-capable Shaurya, Agni and Prithvi ballistic missiles, as well as Akash and Barak 8 surface - to - air missiles have been launched from this missile launch site.
Lined with Casuarina trees, Chandipur is an abode for nature lovers. The high reaching coconut trees provide a swift breeze even in the scorching sun, and the casuarina trees give the necessary shade. The aquatic algae provide sustenance to the zooplanktons and marine creatures. Being a biological hub for sea creatures far into the sea, Chandipur features a wide variety of fauna. The beach is turned into a biodiversity hotspot due to receding and reappearing sea tides. This brings in innumerable ghost red crabs, horseshoe crabs crawling on the golden sand. These crabs form intricate patterns in the sand which act as their housing when approached by the unwanted company. Tiny fish, gastropods, and mollusks are responsible for attracting huge crowds of egrets and seagulls for grand feasts.
1. Chandipur beach, is one of the most spectacular and mysterious beaches in India, owing to its popularity to its vanishing sea act. It is a perfect weekend spot for necessary equanimity and collectedness, due to its uncrowded, calm, and serene atmosphere. To witness the plethora of nascent flora and fauna, one is highly recommended to visit this quiet sea resort.
2. Panchalingeswar temple, situated 41 kilometers from Chandipur, is a sacred temple of the region. It is known for the Shiva shrine since this place is dedicated to five statues of Lord Shiva, called five lingas, placed over a perennial stream, believed to have been enshrined by Goddess Sita.
3. Nilgiri is a small temple town overlooking the Kuldiha sanctuary, protected by the Nilgiri hills, situated 26 kilometers from the city center. The place is very popular for its historical temples and religious sites. The most famous place of worship is the Jagannath temple.
4. Simlipal forest reserve is a wildlife sanctuary located in Mayurbhanj district, 100 kilometers away from Chandipur. Home to the Royal Bengal Tiger, it features jungle safaris and guided treks which make it a popular tourist destination. This national park is rich in vast flora of Simul trees and orchid plants, which provide a picturesque view of the place, and hundreds of rare and endangered mammalian, reptilian and avian species completing the picture. The beautiful cascading waterfalls provide a serene ambiance to this diverse forest, enchanting onlookers with its rarity and beauty.
5. 25 Kilometres away from Chandipur Remuna is situated and the place is very popular for its ancient Khirachora Gopinath temple. Since very long the place is the storehouse of Vaishnavite culture. Khira is a special milk preparation used as an offering in the temple.
6. 45 Kilometres away from Chandipur Sajanagarh is a village situated under Nilgiri Tehsil in the Balasore district. It is a hub of Shakti culture and houses the shrine of Bhudara Chandi, 5 kilometers from Nilgiri.
7. 65 kilometers away from chandipur a famous place Jaleswar is situated.jaleswar is very famous for its historical temples and ancient culture among local tourists. The most recommended places of worship include Chandaneswar Temple, Bhusandeswar Temple. Jaleswar also features the beautiful Talasari beach and Laxmannath Gara, which are highly recommended for both local and out of state tourists. Food Being a coastal area, seafood is the most popular and loved cuisine. Fresh fish caught owing to the help of the receding tides, provides an inexpensive and varied palate of prawns and crabs at the beachside stalls. Jhalmuri (puffed rice snack) is a common preference while strolling on the beach, accompanied by a dash of coconut water. The local restaurants nearby exhibit indigenously seasoned dishes, featuring prawns, marine fish like pomfrets, crabs, shellfish, and hilsa at a very affordable rate.
Located to the east of Balasore, Chandipur can be reached by rail or road till Balasore, and thereafter, via a bus, taxi or an auto-rickshaw. Chandipur sea beach is at a distance of 16 kilometers from Balasore railway station. Road transport is through National Highway 16 (NH-16). It will take approximately 35 minutes to reach the beach from the Balasore railway station. Air transport involves a flight to the state capital of Bhubaneswar, which is 226 kilometers away from Chandipur, followed by rail or road transport.
Chandipur, being a beach town, boasts of a fairly constant overall climate throughout the year, making it a year-round tourist destination. The best time to visit Chandipur to avoid the sweltering heat of nearby areas in the summer, though, is from October till the end of April. One day is enough to explore Chandipur but a night stay is a must to see the tide near Balaramgadi Muhan. The beach has several lodging options for budget travelers within a range of 1 thousand to 2 thousand, and for luxury tourists in sea resorts within 4 to 5 thousand. The varied topography and nature's beauty and bounty make it a well-preferred destination for backpackers.