Gopalpur Tourism: Hotels, Reviews, Packages, Photos, Maps, Experience, Itinerary

Originally known as Paloura, this beach town on the Bay of Bengal, has an interesting and ancient history. It is said to have got its present name from the 18^th century temple of Gopala or Lord Krishna. Gopalpur-on-Sea was an important trade centre in different periods, through the centuries. A very important and wealthy town of the Kalinga Dynasty, its harbour was used to conduct trade in silk and pearls with regions like Sumatra, Java and Bali. Its fortunes looked up once again during the days of the East India Company when it became a main centre for trading rice from Rangoon. However, its status as a port gradually declined and for the past several decades, it has been a quiet but popular family sea-side destination. This peaceful beach lined with coconut and casuarina plantations, is ideal for a week-end break from Kolkata or Bhubaneshwar.