Chandrabhaga Beach

Known for its mesmerising sunset, the Chandrabhaga Beach is considered to be one of the biggest assets of the state as far as tourism is concerned. One of the finest, cleanest and greenest beaches in eastern India, it is located at Chandrabhaga village which is just three km away from the 13th-century Sun Temple at Konark, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to historians, the ships took the Sun Temple as a reference point in the sea during the maritime trade between Odisha (Kalinga), Bali, Java and Sumatra, Later, a lighthouse was constructed on Marine Road in 1967 to guide the ships. As there are several mythological tales associated with the beach, a week-long Chandrabhaga Mela is organised here every year to honour the Sun god. Every year during December and January, the Tourism Department of the Government of Odisha hosts an annual International Sand Art Festival on the sidelines of the popular Konark Dance Festival at the World Heritage Site. The Chandrabhaga Beach can be visited anytime during the year and there are a lot of luxury and budget accommodations near the beach and the Sun Temple. There are also many restaurants and refreshment stalls near the beach. Visitors can purchase beautiful seashell handicrafts from stalls on the beach at affordable prices. People can hire taxis from Bhubaneswar or Puri to reach the destination.