Orissa is situated in the east coastal region of the country. Its geographical area is almost 4.74% of India and its population is 41 million (2011 India census), about 3.47% of India’s population. Coastal orissa is known for its natural as well as architectural beauty.

Eco-system

There are two features of the coastal region. One is the coastal wetland ecosystem and the other is the coastal mangrove, including swamps and marshes. The Chilika Lake – the second largest open lagoon (brackish water) in Asia – is the dominant wetland system. It is 65 km. long from northeast to southwest and is wider in the northeast and narrowed only to 8 km. in the southwest. Its area varies between 780 sq. km. and 1,144 sq. km. from the winter to monsoon months. Besides its economic value due to its rich fishery potential, it is known the world over as it attracts migrant birds during the summer months, notably the Siberian cranes, turning the spot into a birdwatcher’s paradise. The coastal mangroves consist of variegated flora and fauna and, importantly, act as a natural barrier to tidal ingress.

The Mahanadi, in combination with the Brahmani and Baitarani, forms an extensive alluvial tract stretching from Lake Chilika in the south to Bhadrak (in erstwhile Baleswar district) in the north, 172 km. long and over 80 km. wide.

Beaches in Orissa

Orissa has a long coastline of over 480 km on the Bay of Bengal interspersed by a couple of lovely beaches. Added to their seductive beauty is a vast hinter land of antiquities and temples.

Chandipur
Near Balasore

Gopalpur
16 km from Berhampur.

Chandrabhaga
Near Konark.

Puri
One of the important Hindu pilgrimage destination.

Aryapalli
30 km from Berhampur and 6 km from Chhatrapur.

Astaranga
91 km from Puri.

Balaramgadi
2 km from Chandipur.

Balighai
8 km from Puri.

Baliharachandi
27 km from Puri.

Beleswar
15 km from Puri.

Paradeep
Near port town of Paradeep.

Pati-Sonapur
20 km from Berhampur, 35 km from Gopalpur and 4 km from the National Highway No.5.

Ramchandi
7 km from Konark on the Marine Drive.

Talasari
88 km from Balasore, 4 km from Chandaneswar and 8 km from Digha (West Bengal) is the tranquil beach at Talasari.

Orissa Weather

Best Time to Visit Orissa: October to March

Though there is never a bad time to travel to the state, it’s just that it has better weather in some months than the other. Orissa has something great to offer in every season and this is what makes it a fabulous tourist destination all round the year.

A timely and good monsoon is very important for Orissa, which contributes almost one-tenth of India’s rice production of about 90 million tons. Orissa had been experiencing normal monsoon for the last five years. The average annual rainfall in the state was 1460 mm to 1464 mm. Between June to September, it receives monsoon rainfall of 1160 mm to 1164 mm.

Orissa being a maritime state in the east coast of India is cyclone prone and any storm formed in the Bay of Bengal mostly move towards east coast during the storm season (March, April, May) and (October, November, December).

Orissa state, particularly its coastal districts are subjected to severe spells of hot weather during summer. The mercury level remained within 40 degree Celsius in coastal districts.Summer this year had been pleasant as the maximum temperature remained within 45 degrees Celsius following at least 30 thunder showers and hailstorms, with as many as 23 in May this year.