Berhampur Tourism And Travel Guide

Berhampur is one of the oldest, and the third largest city located along the eastern coastline of the Ganjam district in Orissa. The city was originally called Brahmapur – a name that translates to ‘Abode of Brahma’ – which became Berhampur during the time of British occupation.

Also known as the ‘Silk City of India’, the handwoven silk textiles crafted by the locals here are well-known all over the country and contribute greatly to tourism in the city. Berhampur is a city that boasts a wide range of local attractions like serene beaches, splendid temples, and amazing food joints that will make your trip to Berhampur a memorable experience. Here is a brief travel guide to help you plan a trip to Berhampur.  

By Air:

The Biju Patnaik International Airport in the capital city of Bhubaneswar is the nearest airport from Berhampur, and is situated around 170 km away. Visitors flying in to the capital have access to taxis and buses outside the airport that can be availed to reach Berhampur directly.

By Rail: 

The Berhampur Railway Station connects the city to all major destinations across the country with regularly operating trains. The railhead is one of the stops on the lines running from Kolkata and Chennai, with Bhubaneswar just around two and half hours away from Berhampur via train.

By Road:

There are a number of routes to reach Berhampur via road – NH 217, NH 5 and NH 59 are some of the commonly used National Highway routes that go to Berhampur. A number of public and private buses are available to and from Berhampur, along with private taxis and cabs that can be used for easy accessibility to Berhampur via road. 

Winter (October - February):

Winters of Berhampur are the best time to be in the city. The weather stays pleasant and cool all through the season without getting excessively cold, making it the perfect kind of climate to enjoy the local attractions of the city.

Summer (March - June):

Summers in Berhampur get intensely hot and humid, and are not the best time to be in the city. The temperature can rise to a maximum of 45⁰C, and the overall weather throughout the season remains relatively uncomfortable to enjoy much of the city.

Monsoon (July - September):

Berhampur falls under the influence of the South West monsoons, with very heavy rainfall experienced all throughout the season that can occasionally lead to the streets getting flooded as well. Monsoons are clearly not a good time to be in Berhampur; but for those who do enjoy the rain, can plan a trip while carrying essentials with them that are necessary in a rainy weather.

Explore the Temples:

Berhampur observes a deeply religious culture that is evident in its numerous temples spread all across the city. While the Budhi Thakurani Temple is most known for being the host of the famous Thakurani Yatra, other temples in the city have fascinating legends attached to their origins. Be sure to visit the Taratarini Temple, the Mantridi Siddha Bhairavi Temple and the Siddha Vinayak Temple in the village Panchama for a great spiritual experience.

Enjoy the Beaches: 

The beaches around Berhampur are widely known for being some of the best seaside shores in Orissa. The Gopalpur Beach and Rushikulya Beach are mating and nesting sites for the famous and rare Olive Ridley Turtles, while the Aravalli Beach and Dhabaleswar Beach are great spots to enjoy some sun, sand and surf.

Shopping:

Local shops in Berhampur like Hanuman Bazaar, Bada Bazaar, Ganesh Market and Annapurna Market are frequented by locals and tourists alike; however, the city’s major trade revolves around its locally crafted silk textiles. The Berhampuri Patta and Bomokai Patta sarees will prove to be some of the best buys in the city, along with amazing collections of khadi silk and Ikat silk also on offer in most of the shops here.

The food in Berhampur is nothing fancy; yet the humble local delicacies will prove just as soul satisfying as any of your favourite dishes. Whether it’s the popular combination of achaar-papad-badi or the evergreen Puri-upma, which can be considered the staple food of Berhampur, the food in Berhampur showcases a distinct identity of Odia cuisine. Also worthy of a mention here is the very popular Girija Restaurant, which serves delicious chicken pakoda (fritters) that brings in huge crowds of locals and visitors to the city.