For a cool, lazy summer holiday

Check out the list of some ideal vacation spots along the East coast

May 01, 2015 03:43 pm | Updated 03:43 pm IST

The sunrise as seen from Mayfair Palm Beach resort in Gopalpur-on-Sea

The sunrise as seen from Mayfair Palm Beach resort in Gopalpur-on-Sea

Planning to go for a short summer getaway? Here’s a list of some ideal vacation spots along the East coast.

Chitrakoot, Chhattisgarh The cascading waterfall of Chitrakoot is popularly known as the Niagara Falls of India. Once you reach here, it is not difficult to spot the similarities. Even though it is India’s widest (300 metres wide) waterfall, Chitrakoot does not receive too many visitors, making it one of the ideal getaways for the tired city-bred spirits. It is located within the Kanger Valley National Park at a distance of about 30 kms from Jagdalpur. Here the only sound that disturbs the tranquillity is the pleasant din of the ripples and a mild breeze that brushes gently against your ears. It’s a perfect getaway for the intrepid traveller looking for a secluded as well as an adventurous holiday.

During the low-flow season, the gushing waterfall spreads over three braids, but during the monsoon season, it flows in one wide sheet that creates a pattern like horseshoe, earning the comparisons with Niagara Falls. Once here, you explore the pastoral charm of Chhattisgarh, the simplicity of rural life and its famous artworks by driving around the small hamlets from Jagdalpur to Chitrakoot. The other places to explore here are the Tirathgarh waterfalls, Danteshwari Devi Temple, Dantewada temple, Barsore temple, Balaji temple, Dalpat Sagar and museum. The nearby Kutumsar Caves is worth a visit too.

How to reach: You can take the road route which connects Vizag to Jagdalpur within six to seven hours. The nearest railway station is Jagdalpur, located 30 kms away from Chitrakoot.

Where to stay: Chattisgarh Tourism Board has resorts and luxury tents close to the Falls. Dandami Luxury Resort located near the falls offers air-conditioned luxury tents and cottages.

Taptapani, Odisha Rolling green hills, romantic climate, picture-perfect landscapes and solitude make Taptapani, one of the ideal getaways to escape the concrete jungle and cacophony of city’s noisy life. Taptapani is located amidst the forests of Ganjam District of Odisha, about 50 kilometres from Berhampur.

The place is known for its natural hot sulphur springs whose water is considered to have medicinal properties that are a remedy for aches, pains and many skin ailments. Surrounded by lush Eastern Ghats, the region is inhabited by ancient tribes of Odisha. Here, the only place of stay is Panthanivas of Odisha Tourism Development Corporation. Nestled in a secluded valley, the resor’ts specialty is the suite rooms, each having a separate swimming pool which has a direct water source originating from the natural hot sulphur springs where you can enjoy a dip. One of the region’s best kept secrets is the Buddhist communities practicing Tibetan Buddhism called ‘Phuntsokling Tibetan Settlement’ that dates back to the early 1960s at Chandragiri. Here, you can see the largest monastery of South-east India – the Padmasambhava Maha-Vihar.

You can take a long nature-walk along the picturesque landscape of the surrounding areas of Taptapani. A visit to the villages of tribal communities such as Kutia Kondh, Bonda, Dingara Kondh and Mali tribes can be interesting as you can also learn about the lifestyles of these tribal people. But the most popular thing to do is to take a dip at the hot spring of Taptapani.

How to reach: From Vizag, you drive down to Berhampur through the National Highway. You can also take the train route till Behrampur and hire a private car from there.

Where to stay: Panthanivas, OTDC, Taptapani, 06814-211631

Gopalpur-on-Sea If a beach vacation away from the madding crowd is your idea of a weekend getaway, nothing defines this better than a quiet retreat to Gopalpur-on-Sea. Once a bustling port under the East India Company, the place has now turned into a sleepy fishing village. Here you can spend a relaxed holiday away from the crowded and polluted beaches in Vizag. The promenade is dotted with tiny wallet friendly hotels. For the luxury travellers, the 99-year-old resort - Mayfair Palm Beach Resort - offers a spectacular view of the sunrise. Ideal for both sailing and surfing, the beach here is isolated and remains undisturbed by the day trippers. The sea waters are calm and comparatively clean for swimming and sun bathing. The biggest attraction apart from the beach is the quaint lighthouse on one end of the beach.

How to reach: From Vizag, you can drive down in a taxi or private car on the NH 5. Berhampur is the nearest railway station 16 km away.

Where to stay: There are number of budget friendly hotels. The Orissa Tourism-run Panthanivas Gopalpur ( >http://panthanivas.com/ booking.html ) is a decent option in the mid-range. You can also book your rooms at the grand Mayfair Palm Beach Resort through their website.

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