Where would your incredible journey take you this time? Not sure? Then get ready to hear because we had a mutual understanding in the past to listen to each other, forever. Imagine yourself in the scenario near a sea beach. And the whole atmosphere around you, casting its magic spell under the moonlight. The low flickering lights of the distant fisher village are appearing like countless small earthen lamps (diyas) lit to welcome the dusk. There is silence all around and the only noises disturbing the peace are the tandem voices of the fishers in their boats at the sea and the waves rushing towards the shores. There is a lighthouse that is standing there from the Raj era and a new beach resort in the middle.
Attractions
Not more than two years ago, due to the initiative of the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department, the Haritha Beach Resort was inaugurated. It takes one night journey in a train from Kolkata to reach the spot. It has developed into a superb weekend destination now. Even though the main road is a bit far from the resort, but everything is available here. Apart from the resort, Baruva has some ancient temples. Among these temples, the Kotilingeshwarswami Temple deserves a special mention because it has one crore Shivalingas. Besides, the Janardanswami Temple and Durga Temple are the other attractions of the place.
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| Haritha Beach Resort, Baruva |
In the eastern coastal region of Baruva, near the Odisha and Andhra Pradesh border, the Mahendratanya River confluences with the Bay of Bengal. The Haritha Beach Resort built by the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department is an ideal place to experience the isolated sea in a peaceful atmosphere. To be precise, the Beach Resort is located in the Srikakulam district of the Andhra Pradesh State. Turning over the pages of History reveals it was once a sea port in the Raj era. After independence, in 1948 the sea port was closed and the lighthouse standing until today bears the testimony of this fact.
Some of the significant nearby attractions of Baruva includes Telinilapuram, Mandasa Vasudeva Temple, Srimukhalingam, Arasavalli, Sri Kumanatha Swami Temple, Salihundam, Kalingapatnam, etc.
Telinilapuram: The Telinilapuram Bird Sanctuary is located sixty kilometres away from Baruva. In winter, around November flock of birds migrate here from Siberia. Birds like the flamingo, painted stork, pelican lay their eggs here. On an average from November to March around five thousand birds build their nest. Located beside the sanctuary is an ancient lord Shiva Temple.
Mandasa Vasudeva Temple: Mandasa is located seventeen kilometres away from Baruva. Over here, is situated the ancient Vasudeva Temple. It’s the only temple in India where the five Pandavas of the great epic Mahabharata is worshipped. During the auspicious of Maha Shivratri, a grand fair is organised here every year.
Sri Kumanatha Swami Temple: It is located 117 and 115 kilometres away from Baruva and Srikakulam respectively. Lord Vishnu’s second avatar Kum or kachhap (marble figure) is worshipped here. According to mythology, once Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Dev visited here as well.
Salihundam: It is located around 105 kilometres away from Baduva near Kalingapatnam at the banks of the Vamsadhara River. It is a Buddhist Maha Vihara.
Kalingapatnam: Located around 110 kilometres away from Baduva it is an ancient port of India. It is over here the Vamsadhara River confluences with the waters of Bay of Bengal. Located beside the sea beach is another landmark resort of the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department.
To get there
There are two ways to reach Baruva from Kolkata by the railways. Trains like the East Coast Express, Falaknuma Express, Howrah-Yeshvantpur Express available from the Howrah Station to Palasa Station in Andhra Pradesh. From here, another 35 kilometres road journey would take one to the spot. Besides, one may board trains like Coromandel Express, Kanyakumari Express or Chennai Mail and get down at Odisha. From here, another 70 kilometres road journey would take one to the spot.
Lodging
Haritha Beach Resort of the Andhra Pradesh Tourism at Baruva is one of the best options for lodging. Rents of AC/Non-AC double bedrooms range between RS 1000 to RS 1500.