Balasore is one of the coastal district of Orissa,lies on the northern most part of the state having 21 degree 03’ to 21 degree 59’ North Latitude & 86 degree 20’ to 87 degree 29’ East Longitude. Geographical area of the district is 36, 34 Sqr. KM. Midnapore district of West Bengal is in its North, the Bay of Bengal is on the east and Bhadrak district lies on the South whereas Mayurbhanj and Kendujhar districts are on its western side. As per the 2001 Census, the population is 20,23,000 comprising 10,38,000 males and 9,85,000 females. Broadly this district can be divided into three geographical regions, namely, the Coastal belt, the inner alluvial plain and the North-Western hills. The coastal belt is about 26 Kms wide and shapes like a strip. In this region, sand dunes are noticed along the coast with some ridges. This region is mostly flooded with brackish water of estuarine rivers which is unsuitable for cultivation. But, presently this area is utilized for coconut and betel cultivation. Shrimp culture and salt manufacturing units are also developing in this area recently. The second contiguous geographical region is deltaic alluvial plain.

It is a wide stretch of highly fertiled and irrigated land. This area is highly populous and devoid of any jungle. The third region, north-western hilly region covers most of Nilgiri Sub-division. It is mostly hilly terrain and vegetated with tropical semi-ever green forest. The hills of Nilgiri has highest peak of 1783 ft. above the sea level. The Scheduled Tribe persons of the district are mostly seen in this region of valuable forest resources and stone quarries. Balasore, the coastal district of Orissa is crisscrossed with perennial and estuarine rivers because of its proximity to sea. Two important rivers of Orissa , namely :- Budhabalanga and Subarnarekha have passed through this district from west to east before surging into the Bay of Bengal.The irrigation system in Balasore district is very much widespread. Industrialization is also gaining ground as the rubber, plastic,Paper and alloyes industries are mushrooming around Balasore town. The soil of Balasore district is mostly alluvial laterite. The soil of Central region is mostly clay, clay loam and sandy loam which is very fertile for paddy and other farm produces. Nilgiri Sub-division is mostly gravelly and lateritic soil, which is less fertile. A small strip of saline soil is also seen along the extreme coastal part of the district. The climate of Balasore district is mostly hot and humid. The hot season starts from March till May and followed by rainy season from June to September. During this period, south-west monsoon causes maximum rain. But the district experiences highest rain fall during July and August. Because of its strategic location, this district faces most of the cyclonic storm and depression which is raised from the Bay of Bengal.

The cold season from December to February is very pleasant. The average temperature of the district varies between 22*C to 32*C and the average rain fall is 1583 mm. Balasore district is divided into two sub-divisions namely Balasore, and Nilgiri having 19 Police Stations,07 Tahasils for revenue and administrative purposes.Only the sub-division Nilgiri is of hilly region with hillocks and forest.For undertaking developmental works in the rural areas, the district is also divided in to 12 Blocks.Besides,there are four statutory towns consisting of 1 municipality and 3 NACs. These local bodies look into civic aspects of urban areas. The South Eastern Railway covers a distance 102 Kms within Balasore District connecting it with Kolkata , Bhubaneswar & Chennai. Besides, National highways pass through the district and runs from Kolkata to Chennai .The National highway No.5 covers a distance 66 Kms. and National highway No.60 covers a distance 53 Kms.within Balasore is about 220 kms (by road) & 232 kms (by rail) from Kolkata and about 215 kms by road & 206 kms by rail from Bhubaneswar. The Kolkata International air port & Bhubaneswar National air port are only about four hour journey by road/rail from Balasore . This is one of the most important district of Orissa which finds place not only in the National map but also in International map for its History ,Geographical situation, Culture, Marine development and for important institutions like Proof and Experimental establishment, Interim Test Range. A coastal district on the north eastern Sea board Balasore has destination of having been called the “ Granary of Orissa “ with stretches of green paddy fields ,a network of rivers blue hills, extensive meadows and extraordinary breach. The religious centers at Remuna ,Chandaneswar,Panchalingeswar, Sajanagarh, Ayodhya ,Maninageswar temple at attraction for the tourists.

Important Places

CHANDIPUR

The calm beach at Chandipur is surely one among many of the fine beaches of the country, but with a plus there the waters of the Sea recede five Kms. Off shore and proceed rhythmically after a regular interval. The sand-dunes green with wild creepers and the casuarinas whistling with the breeze create a fantastic moment for a visitor absorbed in observing the play of the tide.

Communication
Air:   The nearest air port for visiting the places of interest in Balasore district is at Bhubaneswar which is connected with Kolkata, Delhi, Hydrabad, Raipur, Nagpur and Mumbai by bording flights.
Rail: Nearest rail head is at Balasore on S.E.Rly.
Road   : Chandipur is 16 Kms. By road from Balasore Bus services are available from Balasore to Chandipur

REMUNA

Famous for Khirochora  Gopinath temple Remuna has been a seat of Vaishnawite Culture for centuries, Madhabendra Puri the teacher of Shri Chaitanya and Shri Chaitanya himself visited Remuna and offered their worship to Khirochora Gopinath

Today hundreds of devetees gather daily for the sacred Darshan lof the Lord.Specially prepared milk is the most delicious prasad of the temple.Remuna is a chunk of Vrindaban In Orissa.           

Communication

Rail           
 Nearest rail head is at Balasore
 
Road
 Remuna is 9 Kms. From Balaore connected with good motarable road.
Accommodation :
Yatrinivas,Khirochora Gopinath emple,Remuna,Balasore --  224245
 

SAJANAGARH

Sajanagarh   is a place which as serving as a military base during the period of ex-rullers of Nilgiri state.The main attraction of the place is the temple of godess “ Bhudharchandi “ On the walls of both temple and boundary beautiful stone works have been made legently the gods and goddess.

Communication                   

Rail :
 Nearest rail head is at Balasore 30 Kms.
Road :
 Sajanagarh is connected with good motorable road 25 Kms. From Balasore

AYODHYA

Ayodhya where assimilation of Jainism,Budhism,Baishnavism,Tantraism Saivism, Sakthism took place.The place was flourished once upon a time as a town or it was a Capital of a king the time is still not known. A large number of images ( remains ) have been unearthen from the site. Among them Budha, Jains, Pareshnath, Shiva,Gonesh, Natraj,Bhairabi,Maricha,Baraha,Tara are famous godess Marichi is the most attractive.

Communication
Rail                  :
 Nearest rail head is at Balasore on S.E.Rly. ( 30 Kms )
 Road               :
 Ayodhya is 30 Kms. Balasore.All weather pitch road is available on Ayodhya.
 

LANGALESWAR
The place of  famous for its location and mythology Lord Shiva used to plough the paddy field. In memory of the same plough is there and hundreds of piligrims use to gather there to worship the Lord Langaleswar who has been named after that plough. Langaleswar is famous for Saivasim. The location of the temple by the side of river parvati too creates a senic beauty and makes another attraction of the place.

Communication

Rail                              :
 Nearest rail head is Basta
 
Road                           :
 Langaleswar is connected with a good motorable road (46 Kms.from Balasore)
 
Accommodation          :
 No accommodation is available at the spot.Tourist can stay at Balasore ( 46 Kms.from the spot )

KASHAPHAL

Kashaphal beach is an ideal fishing harbour.It has a scope for boating on river Dubdubi and Panchupali.The solitary beach of Kashaphal is an ideal spot for pichic.The calm and quite rural atmosphere and wistling casurina will definitely attract the nature loving tourist.

Communication
Rail                  :
 Nearest rail head is Basta in S.E.Rly.
Road                           :
 The spot is connected with all weather road ( 36 Kms.from Balasore )

LAXMANNATH

It is situated at a distance of 50 Kms. From Balasore.The old palace,the gada of Raymahasay of Laxmannath is the main attraction.The temple of Shyamakali, JagannathDwadasha Shiva are worth seeing.

Communication         

Rail:
 Nearest rail head is Jaleswar (5 Kms.)
Road                           :
 Laxmannath is connected with a good motorable road (50 Kms.from Balasore)

RAIBANIA

Raibania is known for its group of forts in raign ,Raibania had historic importance and finds mention in the book Ain-I-Akbari. The fort having a number of tanks, which was  once the place for royal people is now a plain field littered with archeological rains. The Jaychandiban or the lovely forest of Joychandi is now used as picnic spot.

Communication

Rail      :
Nearest rail head is Jaleswar ( 25 Kms.)
Road   :
The place is connected with alweather pitch road(75 Kms. From Balasore)

CHANDANESWAR & TALSARI

The holy shrine of Lord Chandaneswar is a religious centre not only for the people pf Balasore District but also places adjacent West Bengal.It is a unique sight to see the devtees flock together in hundreds everyday and in thousands on festive occasion like Chadak mela for Darshan of the Lord which falls in April every weak.

Communication
Rail                              :
 Nearest rail head is Jaleswar ( 43 Kms.) 
Road                           :
 It is connected with a good motorable road from Balasore  ( 93 Kms.) and Digha ( 6 Kms.)

BHUSHANDESWAR

The place is situated at a distance of 100 Kms.from Balasore the district headquarters.The place is famous for Lord Shiva.The priest who worship Lord Shiva uses ladder to poor water,Milk etc on the top of the Loard Bhushandeswar.This is unique in India.

Communication
Rail                              :
 Nearest rail head is Jaleswar (50 Kms.)
Road                           :
 It is very difficult to approach the spot by road from Chandaneswar 20Kms. And from Bhogarai via:- Thana Chhak 15Kms
Accommodation          :
 No accommodation is available at the spot.Tourist can stay at Chandaneswar ( 15 Kms.from the spot )

CHASAKHAND ( BAGHAJATIN )
           
Baghajatin the historic place is situated at a distance of 10 Kms. From Balasore town at Chasakhand village in Remuna Block.Now a days the place is famed as Baghajatin where many people are coming to witness the heroic death place of Late Jatindra  Nath Pal the then freedom fighter of August Biplav in 1942.

Communication
Rail                              :
 The nearest rail head is Balasore 10 Kms
Road                           :
 The place is well connected with Balasore town.Freequent bus      services are available to the spot

MANINAGESWAR ( BARDHANPUR)

The temple of Maninageswar is an ancient one perhaps the temple has been built in the year 1600 A.D. Mythology says that Pandav at the time of their “ Agyantabas “ Used to take bath at Pandav ghat in the Bay of Bengalvery close to Bardhanpur.Where the temple Maninageswar is situated.After taking bath the used to have a Darsan of Maninageswar Shiva.At the time of visiting the spot one can enjoy the beauty of Sea beach which is only 2 Kms. From the spot.

Communication
Rail Nearest rail head is Balasore 12 Kms.

Road The spot is situated at a distance of 12 Kms. From the Balasore and connected with all weather road.Bus services are available from Balasore.

Accommodation :  No accommodation is available at Maninageswar temple.For accommodation tourist can stay at Balasore 12 Kms. From the spot.

BANESWAR (PURUNA BALASORE)

The temple of Baneswar is an ancient and famous Temple of Lord Shiva about 5 km away from Balasore Railway Station.

JHADESWAR (TEMPLE OF LORD SHIVA)

Ancient and famous Temple of Lord of Shiva situated at Naya-Bazaar nearer to Balasore Railway Station and Bust Stop.

CHAWMUKH , DAGARA

Chawmukh and Dagara the two coastal village in Baliapal Block of Balasore District are orescent with inviting beaches.The calm and screne atmosphare long treshes of silvery sands,wistling casurarina and red crabs are some of the attractions of these lovely beaches.Fishing by small Boats with the local fisher flock is very interesting.The Beaches aglow with the presence of group picnickers on new years and X-mass days every year.

Communication

Road 64 Kms. From Balasore.A good black topped road existing up to Jagai ( Kalipada ) Chowkmukh and Dagara 11 Kms. And 9 Kms.

respectively from Jagai are connected by country roads not approachable during rainy season.Bus services are available up to Jagai.

Rail The nearest rail head is Basta (65 Kms.) and Jaleswar 58 Kms. Are convenient for express train travelers.

For further accommodation tourist can stay at Balasore 65 Kms. From the spot.

KHARASAHAPUR BEACH

Kharasahapur a costal village is situated at a distance of 37 Kms.towards south east of Balasore the Dist.Headquarters.Close to Sea Beach a small temple named “Mangala “ is worth seeing.It is a Saktipitha . A tourist visiting the temple should not miss the chance of enjoying the blue view of Bay of Bengal enriched with calm and serene atmosphere.Fishing Jetty located 1 Km.from the spot is further attraction to tourist.Fishing by small boats and Motor launch with local fisher folk is very enteresting.

INCHUDI

It is situated at a distance of 22 Kms. From Balasore. The place is famous for Labana Satyagraha held in 1930 under the leadership of Binod kanungo,Jeebramjee Kothari , Rama Devi and Dr.H.K.Mahatab. One can see the Smrutisthambha as a mark of sacrifice of the then freedom fighters.

SRIJANG

It is a big village situated at a distance of 20 Kms. From Balasore and close to Inchudi.People of this village under leadership of Gurucharan Dash participated in civil Disobedience movement in 1921 and they actively joined the salt Movement.When Satyagraha was stopped due to onset of rainy seasons.People of this village where first in the country who did not pay Choukidari taxes being led by Gurucharan Das and Bidyadhar Ratha.There was police torture.This incident evoked country wide protest. Villagers have constructed the Smrutisthambha and one Museum dedicated to freedom struggle is under construction there.

 TUDIGADIA

The place is situated at a distance of 40 Kms. From Balasore towards South West of Balasore in Khaira  Block. Tudigadia and its neighbouring village Khariadia has played important role in Quit India Movement in 1942.Many people had sacrificed their lives during that movement.

DINAMARDINGA AND FARASIDINGA

Balasore the Head Quarters of the district was an important maritime town in mediaeval times through the river Budhabalanga.Some portions of the town were occupied by the French and the Dutch which were named as “ Farasidinga “ and   “ Dinmardinga “. The ruins of the foreign possessions srill exist.

Important Facts about Balesore