MARINA BEACH
Marina Beach is the pride and joy of Chennai (Madras). It stretches for 13 kilometers, making it one of the 20 longest longest beaches in the world. A long stretch of soft sand, Marina Beach invites tourists to unwind, take a dip in the water and indulge in local snacks. The street facing the beach is lined with one illustrious landmark after another. These include Madras University, Government departments, Senate House, Presidency College, Cricket Stadium and Swami Vivekananda Memorial House and the building of All India Radio. It is said that it was the personal favorite beach of ME Grant Duff, the British Governor of Madras (1881-86). Sunrises and pony rides can also be enjoyed here.
Marina Beach was beach badly ripped up by the tsunami in 2004 but that was a long time ago now and it has since recovered The credit for converting this place into a tourist spot goes to Governor Duff. He took the required measures to change the face of this place in 1880s. The historical monuments are built at the junction of pathways. These include Annadurai and MG Ramachandran memorials, statues of heroes from Tamil culture, Indo-Saracenic buildings, monuments of Tamil scholars, patriots and famous personalities including Mahatma Gandhi and Subhash Chandra Bose.
One of the most remarkable sculptures of the beach is the Triumph of Labor by Debiprasad Roy Choudhary. On the beach, one can enjoy a variety of South Indian snacks and ice creams. There is also an aquarium situated near the beach. It is home to some of the mesmerising species of sea and fresh water fish. One can also visit the Ice House, which has ice brought from lakes in North America during the British rule. The best time to visit the beach is between November and February.
Beaches in the Visakhapatnam Area
Visakhapatnam is the largest city in Andhra Pradesh with about 3 million people. Sprawling along the Bay of Bengal, it has little see but provides access to beaches with long stretches of golden sand, waterfalls, forests and scenic hill stations. Popularly known as Vizag, the city is home to the oldest shipyard in the country, ancient temples and spectacular caves.
Rishikonda Beach is one of the nicest beaches in Visakhapatnam. With azure blue waters and golden sands, it runs along the coast of the Bay of Bengal with the verdant hills of the Eastern Ghats in the background. Visitors can engage in various sports like swimming, water skiing and windsurfing. The tourism department of Andhra Pradesh has also constructed cottages around the beach along with restaurants and other useful amenities that make Rishikonda a great stop for tourists. Taking a peaceful stroll on the beach as the cool breeze caresses you. Pony rides are offered on the beach during the early morning and evening hours.
Ramakrishna Beach is one of Visakhapatnam's most popular spots. It gets its name from the Ramakrishna Mission Ashram, which is situated near the beach. Popularly known as the RK beach, it attracts locals and tourists alike. Popular tourist activities include swimming, sunbathing, surfing and playing beach volleyball. Tourists can enjoy a bumpy camel ride on the beach, opt for a boat ride in a traditional fishing boat or even take a cruise in the water. Other nearby attractions include Kali Temple, INS Kurusura Submarine Museum, TU-142M Aircraft Museum and Visakha Museum.
Bheemunipatnam Beach (24 kilometers from Visakhapatnam) is one of the longest beaches in the country, stretching for about 25 kilometers. Despite its popularity, the beach is so large you can fine a quiet and serene spot somehwere. The beach has a Dutch fort and a cemetery and is surrounded by coconut plantations, There is a large Buddha sculpture along with smaller sculptures.
Beaches Near Puri
Puri (60 kilometers south of Bhubaneshwar and 500 kilometers southeast of Kolkata (Calcutta)) is divided into two parts: the ancient holy town and the new town. A kilometer away from the coast, the ancient holy town is characterized by lofty temple shrines that reverberate with sounds of conch horns, drums and cymbals. The new town is strung out along the beach.
Beaches in Odisha include Gopalpur, a modern beach resort with a wide beach, sand dunes and a medieval jetty where boats left for Indonesia, and Chandipur, a beautiful beach where the tides moves in and out 52 meters (170 feet) Puri has several popular beaches with white surf and fine sand. Water sport activities such as jet skiing and banana boat rides can be enjoyed on the beachfront between the lighthouse and the Mangala river. A hovercraft operates between Panthanivas in Puri and the Ramchandi Beach near Konark.
Puri Beach is a stretch of fine golden sand dotted with stalls selling sumptuous sea food and knick-knacks. It is popular with pilgrims who come to worship Lord Jagannath at the famous temple located nearby. The grand Marine Drive road running parallel to the beach is a popular spot for long walks. There is a good choice of hotels and guesthouses near the beach. Sometimes the waves are good for surfing. Visitors can take a stroll on the beach and check out pearls and seashell souvenirs sold by local vendors and as marvel at impressive sand sculptures, including the work of internationally recognised local artist, Sudarshan Pattnaik. The beach hosts the annual Puri Beach Festival every November that sees huge crowds. Shacks along the beach sell fried and grilled prawns, crabs and fish, freshly caught from the sea, along with vegetable pakodas (fritters). The a lighthouse is open from 4:00pm to 6:00pm. One can get a spectacular view of the sea and the beach from the top of the lighthouse.
Swargadwar Beach (close to the Jagannath Temple) is believed to be the bathing site of Sri Chaitanyadev, a revered Vaishnava saint. Thus, it holds religious significance apart from being very picturesque. Thousands of devotees visit the nearby Mahadadhi bathing spot throughout the year to take a dip in the holy waters. As popularly believed in Hinduism, those who do take a dip, attain salvation and reach heaven after they die. Devotees offer prayers so that they and their loved ones go to heaven after death. The beach has been blessed by a peaceful and surreal ambience. Close by is the Swargdwar cremation ground, which holds immense significance too. Swargadwar literally means “door to heaven,”
Gopalpur (16 kilometers Berhampur and 173 kilometers from Puri) is a small town and popular beach resort whose inviting golden sands and clear and blue waters lure visitors from all over the country. Lying on the Bay of Bengal, it attracts surfers and boating enthusiasts. In ancient times this beach served as an important port for the seafarers of Kalinga. During World War II soldiers and supplies were delivered her for the Burma Road. It was here that the first ever modern hotel was built in Odisha in 1914. The beach is lined with casuarina groves and is one of the cleanest in India. Even though the sea may be too rough for novice swimmers to go swimming, there are plenty of other activities that can be enjoyed. You can take a quiet stroll and soak in the sights of the beach or roam around the town to look at beautiful old buildings; seafood lovers will find plenty of food joints to indulge themselves and courtesy the Kalinga Divers Association, there are boating and water sports facilities available as well. The ruins of a port, a lighthouse and a few colonial-style old bungalows stand testament to Gopalpur's past as a bustling commercial town until about 1942, when its port ceased operations.
Islands and Beaches of Kochi
Scenic Willingdon and Vypeen islands are linked by bridges and ferries to Kochi. Kumarkon contains an island resort. Gundu Island (a motor launch trip from Kochi) is famous for its colorful coire coconut-fibre products such as mats and carpets. Many boating companies organise dinner cruises amidst city lights that illuminate Kochi’s waterways.
Bolgatty Palace (on Bolgatty Island) is a Dutch palace, and is just a short boat ride away from the mainland. Now, a heritage hotel, run by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC), it is an ideal retreat to experience the grandeur of the royal lifestyle. In 1744, an anonymous Dutch businessman constructed Bolgatty Palace. Between 1909 and 1947, it served as the British Residency. Tourists can explore the island that boasts a neat golf course. The panoramic views of the harbour and the port make this place a great picnic spot for families. Regular boat service is available from the mainland, and tourists can reach Bolgatty Islands on a ferry from High Court Jetty. The island is located at a distance of about 2 kilometers via Goshree Bridge.
Vallarpadam is one of the picturesque islands that forms part of Kochi. , Vallarpadam is best known for the Vallarpadam Church or the Basilica of Our Lady of Ransom. An ancient church that has been given the status of a basilica, it is one of the most prominent spiritual sites in Ernakulam district. The pristine white structure was built by the Portuguese in 1524 and is dedicated to Holy Mary or Vallarapadath Amma, as she is fondly called here. The church houses an image of the Virgin Mary that is believed to have been brought by the Portuguese. The best time to visit is during the feast of Vallarapadath Amma, a week-long event that is held on September 24. Initially, the church was called the Church of the Holy Spirit, however, it was destroyed in a flood in the 17th century and a new church was set up at the same spot in the year 1676.
Vypeen (Vypin) (just north of Kochi) is a quaint island with pristine beaches, old lighthouses, hiking trails and Chinese fishing nets. Some of its beaches like Cherai, Kuzhuppilly and Puthuvype are among the longest beaches in Kochi. Puthuvype Beach is also home to one of the oldest lighthouses in Kerala. Tourists can visit Munambam, the largest fishing harbour in Kochi that lies to the north of Vypeen. Tourists can reach Vypeen via boats from Fort Kochi. This 27-kilometer-long island is connected to the city by bridges called Goshree bridges. They start at Kalamukku in Vypeen, touch two other islands, Mulavukad and Vallapadam, and then end at Marine Drive in Kochi. Other popular attractions in Vypeen include Nedungad, Pallipuram Fort, Sahodaran Ayyappan Smarakam, Veeranpuzha, which is a part of Vembanad Lake, Criz Milagress Church, Sree Perumpadappil Bhagavathi Temple, Njarakkal Fish Farm and Elamkunnapuzha Temple.
Willingdon Island (southern Kochi) is one of the largest man-made islands in India. Surrounded by pristine backwaters of Kerala, the island is a pleasant place to stroll around on scenic walkways admiring views of the Arabian Sea and the backwaters area. Willingdon Island hosts some of the best hotels in Kerala. The island was created in 1933 and named after the then British Viceroy of India, Lord Willingdon. The architect of this artificial island was Robert Bristow and was created with soil trench produced during the deepening of famous Vembanad Lake for the construction of the modern Kochi Port. Currently, the land is under the Indian Navy and Kochi Port Trust.
Fort Kochi Beach has golden sand and tranquil waters. Lined with swaying palms and dense bushes, the beach attracts people into snorkelling, windsurfing, canoeing, kayaking, scuba diving, catamaran sailing and parasailing. Many European-style bungalows dot the shoreline, and the coastline has many small stalls, where one can indulge in traditional dishes made using freshly caught fish.
Cherai Beach (north of Kochi) has nice white sand and is lined with coconut groves. Extending for 15 kilometers, it has places with shallow waters that are ideal for a relaxing swim. Lying to the north end of the long barrier island of Vypeen island, Cherai Beach offers both backwaters and beach experience. Interesting shells and conch can often be found on the beach. Dolphins often swim by. You can see Chinese fishing nets. The beach is lined with shacks that offer a fine selection of Malabar cuisine. You can engage in water sports like surfing and speedboat rides..
Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons
Text Sources: India tourism website, India’s Ministry of Tourism and other government websites, UNESCO, Wikipedia, Lonely Planet guides, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, National Geographic, The New Yorker, Bloomberg, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, Yomiuri Shimbun and various books and other publications.
Updated in August 2020