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3.7 TOURISM
On the eastern coast of India, perpetually washed by the blue waters of the Bay of
Bengal, lies the many splendoured District of Ganjam. Endowed with a rich cultural heritage of
old world charms and bestowed liberally with the bounties of nature, sometimes tender,
sometimes awe-inspiring, it is a kaleidoscope of past splendeours and present glamour, a
fascinating District with un spoilt beaches, sprawling lakes, luxuriant forests, teeming wildlife,
superb monuments, colorful fairs and festivals, scintillating music and dances. More refreshing
in the winter are the hot sulphur springs at Taptapani. Chilika, the biggest inland lake of India
stretching across the length of the three districts including Ganjam and finally joins the Bay of
Bengal through narrow mouth, forming an enormous lagoon of brackish water. Encircled by
hills all along its arched shape shores, Chilika lake’s colour changes with passing clouds and
the shifting sun. The water ripples languidly, occasionally dancing with a gentle breeze from
across the Bay of Bengal. Sea beach at Gopalpur is famous for its blue waters and attractive
back water bed in the form of cracks and sleepy lagoon covered with canopies of lush green
foliage. The Gopalpur festival, a cultural extravaganza organized in December every year by
the district administration is important tourist attraction. On the Orissa- Andhra Pardesh border
there is a Beach along the river Bahuda which divides the sea from the main land at Sonepur.
Pati Sonepur is the name of the Beach at the other side which is famous for its virginity,
colourful water and loneliness.
Taratarini is a famous religious place in Southern Orissa where the twin sister
Goddess i.e. Tara & Tarini adorn the sanctum situated on the top of a hillock girdled by the
waddling holy river Rushikulya. Taratarani attracts thousands of devotes, picnickers and
visitors throughout the year. Other tourist places worth mentioning are Khambeswari, Maa
Bhairavi, Surada Reservoir, Tampara Lake apart from numerious fairs and festivals.
However the tourism sector in the District is not yet fully developed. It has potentiality
to stimulate growth of employment generation in the related fields like Hotels, transport, food,
entertainment, guiding etc. Following projects are in pipeline which has the potential to change
the tourist map of the district and put it among the favored destinations in the state.
� Eco friendly cottages (10 nos), jetty on river Bahuda and facility for water sports is
coming up at Pati-Sonpaur.
� Beach front beautification at Gopalpur which includes illumination of beach,
improvement of approach road, Provision of parking facilities will be taken up.
� Food plaza, parking area, lighting, landscaping will come up at Taptapani.
� Development of Tampara lake is being taken up. There is proposal for eco-friendly
cottages and integrated tourist complex with golf course.
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