South India Plan E
Day 1 – Srikakulam District (Andhra Pradesh)
- Morning:
- Start at Sri Sri Chintamani Amma Vari Devasthanam
- Do darshan & spend some quiet time in the temple surroundings.
- Afternoon:
- Travel towards Kaviti Beach (approx. 1 hr from temple, depending on your start point).
- Enjoy the natural beauty, relax, walk on the shore.
- Evening:
- Sunset at Kaviti Beach 🌅 (best time).
- Local snacks / fresh fish stalls (if available).
- Night Stay Suggestion:
- Either Srikakulam town (better stay options)
- OR if you’re continuing your Odisha plan next day, stay near Ichchapuram / Berhampur (Odisha border) for easy travel.
Day 2 – Ganjam District (Odisha side, near Andhra border)
Morning
- Start at Siddha Bhairavi Temple, Mantridi (famous Shakti Peeth, goddess with one leg idol).
- Spend time for darshan & temple surroundings.
Midday
- Proceed to Maa Balakumari Temple (on a hilltop near Chikiti, ~30 km from Mantridi).
- Requires a short trek (600+ steps 🪜, but beautiful view from top).
- Carry water & light snacks.
Afternoon
- Head to Dankalpadu Sea Beach (less crowded, scenic coastal spot).
- Relax by the sea, enjoy local fish stalls if available.
Evening
- Sunset at Dankalpadu Beach 🌅.
- Return journey towards Berhampur (good hotels & transport hub).
Night Stay
- Berhampur town
Day 3 – Explore Berhampur & Gopalpur
Morning – Berhampur Town 🏙️
- Thukurani Temple (famous for Thakurani Jatra festival)
- Biju Patnaik Children’s Park (pleasant greenery for a stroll)
- Giri Market (traditional sarees – Berhampur Silk Sarees are world famous 🧵)
- Street food tasting (Berhampur is famous for pickles, papads, and chaats).
Afternoon – Gopalpur Town 🌊
- Short drive (30 min) to Gopalpur-on-Sea
- Gopalpur Beach – peaceful, perfect for swimming & relaxation
- Old Lighthouse (offers panoramic view of the sea & town)
- Port Area (historic British-era port, some ruins to see)
- Local seafood lunch 🦀 (Gopalpur is known for prawns, crabs, and fish).
Evening
- Sunset at Gopalpur Beach 🌅 (one of Odisha’s best sunset spots).
- Leisure walk along the beachside promenade.
Night Stay
- You can stay at Gopalpur (beach resorts) for a coastal vibe
OR - Stay at Berhampur town for better transport & shopping.
Day 4 – Tampara Lake & Maa Tara Tarini Temple
Morning – Tampara Lake (Near Chhatrapur, ~30 min from Berhampur)
- Boating 🚤, water scooter, kayaking (if available)
- Birdwatching (lake attracts many local & migratory birds)
- Relax at lakeside park with coconut water 🥥
Afternoon – Maa Tara Tarini Temple (Kumari Hills, ~30 km from Tampara Lake)
- Drive to Maa Tara Tarini Temple (famous Shakti Peetha)
- Temple is on a hilltop — you can reach by:
- Ropeway 🚡 (scenic, less tiring)
- Steps (~999) if you enjoy trekking & devotion walk
- Have darshan & enjoy panoramic view of Rushikulya River Valley
Evening
- Relax at the temple hilltop till sunset 🌄
- Return towards Berhampur / Gopalpur for night stay
Night Stay
- Berhampur town (convenient for next-day travel)
- Or stay at Gopalpur-on-Sea if you want another calm seaside night
Day 5 – Kalijai Temple, Chilika Lake & Mangalajodi
Morning – Kalijai Temple (Chilika Lake)
- Start early from Berhampur / Gopalpur towards Barkul (Chilika Lake entry point) (~60 km, ~1.5 hrs).
- Take a boat ride to Kalijai Temple ⛵ (island temple dedicated to Goddess Kalijai, revered as protector of fishermen).
- Enjoy the calm lake views & temple visit.
Afternoon – Explore Chilika Lake
- Continue boat safari: spot Irrawaddy dolphins 🐬, migratory birds, and tiny islands.
- Have lunch at OTDC Panthanivas, Barkul or local dhabas (fresh fish & prawns available).
Evening – Mangalajodi (Birdwatcher’s Paradise)
- Drive to Mangalajodi (~45 km from Barkul, 1 hr).
- Take a traditional country boat ride in wetlands — best place to spot rare migratory birds (esp. in winter, Oct–Feb).
- Sunset view in the marshlands 🌅 is magical.
Night Stay
- Mangalajodi eco-cottages (peaceful stay in nature)
- OR return to Bhubaneswar (~65 km, 1.5 hrs) if you want a city stay with more facilities.
Day 6 – Bhubaneswar (Ancient Caves + Old Temples)
Morning
- Udayagiri & Khandagiri Caves 🪨 (ancient Jain rock-cut caves, 2nd century BCE, inscriptions & meditation cells).
- Chausathi Yogini Temple, Hirapur (one of only four such temples in India, circular design, tantric significance).
Afternoon
- Parasurameswara Temple (oldest temple of Bhubaneswar, 7th century, intricate carvings).
- Mukteswara Temple (called the “Gem of Odisha Architecture” – unique arched torana).
- Rajarani Temple (beautiful sandstone, famous for sculpted couples & musicians).
Evening
- Stroll through Ekamra Heritage Walk area.
- Visit handicraft shops & enjoy Odia thali dinner (dalma, pakhala, chhena poda).
Night Stay – Bhubaneswar.
Day 7 – Bhubaneswar (Major Temples + Peace Pagoda)
Morning
- Lingaraj Temple (11th century, main Shaiva temple, grand architecture – non-Hindus can view from a platform outside).
- Bindusagar Lake (sacred tank near Lingaraj, believed to connect to all holy rivers).
Afternoon
- Dhauli Shanti Stupa (built by Japan’s Buddhist Sangha, place where Ashoka embraced peace after Kalinga war).
- Explore nearby rock edicts of Ashoka.
Evening
- Visit Odisha State Museum / Tribal Museum (to understand Odia culture, arts & tribal heritage).
- Relax at Khandagiri Road food street or try local sweets (Rasagola, Chhena Jhili, Rasabali).
Night Stay – Bhubaneswar (second night).
Day 8 – Puri (Jagannath Dham + Beach Town)
Morning
- Drive from Bhubaneswar to Puri (~65 km, 1.5 hrs).
- Jagannath Temple 🛕 (one of the Char Dham, dedicated to Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra & Subhadra).
- Non-Hindus cannot enter but can view from Raghunandan Library rooftop nearby.
Afternoon
- Visit Gundicha Temple (where Rath Yatra ends).
- Narendra Tank (sacred pond, used in rituals).
- Have a traditional Mahaprasad meal inside the temple Anand Bazaar.
Evening
- Relax at Puri Golden Beach 🌅 (Blue Flag certified, clean & safe).
- Stroll through Swargadwar Market for handicrafts, conch-shell items, palm leaf engravings.
Night Stay – Puri.
Day 9 – Konark (UNESCO Sun Temple) + Coastal Drive
Morning
- Early drive to Konark Sun Temple (UNESCO site, ~35 km from Puri).
- Explore the stone chariot temple (13th century marvel by King Narasimhadeva I).
- Visit Konark Archaeological Museum (ASI museum with sculptures).
Afternoon
- Relax at Chandrabhaga Beach (near Sun Temple, scenic & serene).
- Optional: Visit Ramachandi Temple on the way back.
Evening
- Return to Puri.
- Attend Sandhya Aarti at Jagannath Temple or spend another evening at the beach.
Night Stay – Puri.
Day 10 – Puri → Srikakulam (Coastal Highway Ride 🏍️)
Morning (Start Early ~6 AM)
- Begin from Puri after sunrise.
- Ride along Marine Drive (Puri–Konark Road) – one of India’s most scenic coastal roads 🌊 lined with casuarina trees.
- Short stop at Chandrabhaga Beach for morning sea breeze.
Forenoon – Bhubaneswar Bypass → Ganjam
- Take NH-16 southwards via Bhubaneswar bypass → Khurda → Ganjam.
- Tea/snack break at Chilika Lake side (Rambha or Barkul) – enjoy a quick view of the lake one last time.
Afternoon – Berhampur → Ichchapuram (AP–Odisha Border)
- Pass through Berhampur town (where you stayed earlier in the trip).
- Enter Andhra Pradesh at Ichchapuram check-post 🚩.
Evening – Coastal Andhra Ride
- Continue on NH-16 hugging the coast.
- If time permits, short detours to beaches near Kaviti / Baruva for a sunset pause 🌅.
Night – Reach Srikakulam
- End your 10-day South Odisha + Coastal Andhra loop back at Srikakulam town 🏍️.
- Celebrate with a light local dinner (seafood / Andhra thali).