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Coconut trees and coconut groves add a touch of their own to the exclusive beach—free from the distractions and the multitudes that throng the beach at Puri. Originally a small fishing village on the coast of Orissa, it was so named when a temple dedicated to Lord Krishna was constructed some time in the 18th century.
Apart from its temple, Gopalpur was distinguished for its magnificent beach and was discovered as a perfect winter resort. Soon hotels and guesthouses lined its seafront. The East India Company built huge warehouses and godowns because the trade with Burma had picked up and Gopalpur had become a trading point for rice from Rangoon.
Though a small place, Chandipur has the distinction of having a beach that extends more than five kilometers at low tide and can be a paradise for swimmers. Legend has it that Chandipur (literally, township of silver moonlight) derived its name from the silvery, shimmering, moonlit sands of the beach. Chandipur is also known for its Space Research Station from where many of Indian satellites have been launched.
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