Weekend travel ideas: Places to visit in Central and Eastern Odisha

Berhampur, which is also known as Brahmapur, is most commonly known as the silk city. It is famous for the 'ikat silk sarees'. Here are some weekend travel ideas to visit with your family or friends on a weekend and relish in scrumptious street foods, serene beaches and silk saree shopping in Lord Brahma's hometown. Berhampur comes under Ganjam district and is located in the eastern coastline. Berhampur is 171 km from Bhubaneshwar, 191 km from Cuttack, 176 km from Puri, and 283 km from Vishakapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. 

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Places to visit in Bhubaneshwar (Temple City)

• Lingaraj Temple - Shiva temple
• Nandan Kanan Zoological Park & Botanical Gardens - the first zoo in India to join World Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 2009
• Iskcon Temple 
• Ram Mandir
• Shopping area - Ekamra Haat, Shahid Nagar market, Ashok Nagar market, Market building

Places to visit around Chilika Lake

• Satapada - Sea mouth where Chilika Lake meets the Bay of Bengal.
• Kalijai temple - located on an island in Chilika Lake.
• Narayani temple 

Places to visit around Puri

• Jagannath Temple - It is one of the 'Char Dham' stated in the Hindu culture. 
• Puri Beach - One of the best & clean beaches of India.
• Sun Temple (Konark) - A must-see for everyone who loves ancient architecture and monuments. The throne assigned for the Sun God is also made in a such a way that the first rays of the sun after sunrise fall directly on the throne. 

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Places to visit in Berhampur

• Taratarini temple- The temple is one of the four major 'Shakti Peethas' in India according to Indian mythology.
• Potagada fort - Located 1km away from National Highway near Ganjam and 35 km from Berhampur. The place captures the maritime history and the colonisation era of Odisha. 
• Shopping - This city has a lot to offer, be it in clothing, handicrafts, silk sarees or jewellery. Ex- Annapurna market
• Street food - The city is renowned for its fried fish, prawns, crabs and pomfrets being close to the sea.
• Gopalpur beach - Gopalpur Beach Festival, lighthouse, exotic red crabs, cashew trees, water sports are all the highlights of Gopalpur beach.

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