Paradip is one of the most rapidly developing industrial areas in the Jagatsinghpur district of Odisha. It is located 125 km from Bhubaneswar Airport and 95 km from the Cuttack Railway Station. What’s unique about this industrial town, you ask? The charming Paradip is one of the oldest and most significant seaport towns in the world. The Paradip Port is a standing testimony to the rich maritime heritage of the region.
The strategic position of the Paradip Port allows it to cater to a vast area across the states of Odisha, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal. The port also enjoys the advantages of having soft underwater soil allowing it to be deepened to any depth depending on specific requirements. Thriving alongside the bustling port are several industries such as alumina refineries, a petrochemical complex, steel plants, and thermal power plants. Visits inside the hub of Paradip Port are possible only after obtaining special permits.
Paradip Port is an excellent place for those intrigued by industrial tourism and what it can bring to the table. But the port isn’t all business. Surrounding it are some of the most spectacular beaches, verdant forests, national parks, and gorgeous water bodies in the state of Odisha! Paradip is a beautiful amalgamation of buzzing maritime activity and unbelievably stunning natural beauty.
The beaches of Odisha are relatively unexplored gems along the Indian coastline. And the beach near Paradip Port is one of the most popular ones in the state of Odisha. With its natural creeks, a small island, and a lovely forest cover, Paradip Beach is a beautiful sight to behold!
The beach stands at the confluence of the Mahanadi and the Bay of Bengal. The best way to take in its beauty is to take a long drive along the corniche. Enjoy the pleasant ride on beautiful roads as you pass by clear waters and large rocks on the shore. You could also watch the orange hues of the setting sun as you enjoy a picnic or stroll on the beach.
If you’re lucky you make get to witness mammoth ships making their way in or out the port or simply a fleet of massive cargo ships anchored in the port. The sight of these magnificent vessels against the backdrop of the ocean exudes a lovely romance. This is a scene that can transport you to faraway worlds or compel the shutterbug in you to capture the beautiful moment.
You can pay a visit to the lighthouse near the beach that is equipped with the latest global positioning system. The verdant Smurti Udyan located nearby is also worth a visit. This garden is dedicated to people who lost their lives during the cyclones that devastated Paradip in the late 1990s.
Visitors are advised to step into the waters with caution. The seas can often get rough – especially along the stretch from Hanuman Temple to Sandakhuda in Paradip, as well as the 1 km shoreline at Siali. These particular stretches have been identified as critically-vulnerable and are risky for swimming.
If you’re visiting Paradip Port, don’t miss out on a trip to the Bhitarkanika National Park. The Park is a unique habitat of mangrove forests intersected by numerous creeks, mudflats, rivers, and streams. Located in Kendrapara district of Odisha, it is one of the largest Mangrove ecosystems in India.
This fantastic Park is home to fascinating wildlife and birds. Big cats such as the leopard, jungle cat, and fishing cat roam its thick forests. Living alongside are smaller animals such as the hyena, wild boar, porcupines, spotted deer, and sambar. The marshy waters of the Park are brimming with marine life. Some of its residents include dolphins, turtles, saltwater crocodiles, and the partially white crocodile as well! Great reptiles like the python, king cobra, and water monitor lizards lie hidden in the thick vegetation of the Park. If you look to the skies, watch out for beautiful birds like the kingfisher, woodpecker, hornbill, seagulls, bar-headed geese, or the white-bellied sea eagle.
What makes the Park even more special is its focus on ecotourism and the involvement of the local community in various conservation activities. The Park endeavors to build a sustainable ecotourism model, with particular emphasis on endangered species that live in the forest – the Gangetic dolphins, saltwater crocodiles, Olive Ridley sea turtles, and white-bellied sea eagles.
Located close to the Bhitarkanika National Park is Odisha’s only Turtle Sanctuary located in Gahirmatha Beach. If you’ve ever watched heart-warming videos of newly-hatched baby Olive Ridley Turtles making their way to the sea – here is where you can observe this incredible phenomenon up-close and personal.
The Olive Ridley turtles travel thousands of miles from the South Pacific Ocean to breed on the Gahirmatha coast. Their journey takes them from the Pacific Ocean to the coastal waters of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean, and finally, onwards to the coast of Gahirmatha in the north. A staggering half a million turtles visit the beach every year for nesting! Gahirmatha Beach is one of the most critical Olive Ridley nesting sites in the world. The turtles usually mate between November and January, with the breeding period lasting eight months from October to May.
Plan your visit to Paradip Port and Gahirmatha in time to watch the turtles arrive en masse on the beach. It is an experience and privilege of a lifetime! To truly get the most out of the experience, engage the services of a knowledgeable guide or find the company of locals who can guide you to the best spots. For the best experience, wake up in the wee hours of the morning to find a quiet, unobtrusive spot. Prepare for the beautiful sight of the turtles making their way out of the sea, carefully selecting a site, digging holes laboriously, laying close to 200 eggs, covering the area up, and finally making their long journey back into the sea.
Gahirmatha is the only marine sanctuary in the state of Odisha. In 1997, the Government officially declared the area as a Marine Sanctuary, recognizing its tremendous ecological significance and the diverse flora and fauna within.
The Gahirmatha Beach is also home to a rare species of white crocodiles, white monitor lizards, migratory birds, and deer.
Paradip Port and its surrounding areas also have some intriguing places of worship. The Jhankad temple, located near the city of Cuttack, is known far and wide as an old Sarala temple. The temple is devoted to Goddess Sarala, who is a manifestation of Goddess Saraswati – the patron of music, knowledge, art, and nature. If this wasn’t enough reason for you to visit, the temple is closely associated with Sarala Das, the first epic poet of Orissa. Jhankad is also famous for grand celebrations of two major festivals – Sri Mahabishuba Sankranti and Raja Sankranti.
The Balaramjew Temple is one of the most beautiful temples near Paradip Port. The presiding deity in the temple is Lord Balaram, along with Subhadra and Jagannath. Goddess Tulsi is also worshipped in the Balaranjew Temple. She can be found seated atop seven sacred steps in her idol form.
Take advantage of being near the coast by indulging in some delicious seafood in Paradip Port. The fish and prawn dishes are a must-try here. Tourists also rave about the Paradip Lassi or Gavaskar Lassi, which is made from coconut. This signature Lassi is just what you need after a day out in the Odisha sun!
Dahi Pakhala is one of the most loved comfort foods in Paradip Port and all of Odisha. It is a rice porridge prepared with fresh, thinned yogurt, sprinkled with a tadka of curry leaves and mustard seeds. The dish is refreshing in the harsh Odisha summer and restores strength and energy. Dahi Pakhala is also served with a side of fried fish or mashed potatoes.
The Chingudi Malai is a dish that you must try when in Odisha! It is a rich and creamy prawn curry made in coconut milk and enhanced by mild spices. The dish is best paired with steamed basmati rice.
Macha Ghanta is a signature fish curry and one of the most beloved dishes of Odisha. The curry tastes best with a hot plate of rice and ghee!
Some of the best restaurants in Paradip Port are Delicious Food Plaza and Golden Anchor.
The best months to visit places in Paradip Port are February, March, April, May, November, and December. Avoid visiting in the summer since the blazing heat in Odisha can be exhausting and overwhelming.
By Air: The closest airport to Paradip is the Bhubaneswar Airport, located about 100 km away. Regular flights connect Bhubaneswar to all major cities in the country.
By Train: Paradip Port is well-connected by train to major cities in the country via the Paradip Railway Station (PRDP)
By Road: Paradip is well-connected by regular buses to all major cities in the country.
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