Balasore,also known "The city of Land on Sea Shore" or "City of Sand", is a strategically located city best known for Chandipur beach. It is also the site of the Indian Ballistic Missile Defense Program's Integrated Test Range, located 70 km. south of Chandipur. The place boasts of immense scenic beauty and a plethora of historical monuments and temples and served as the residential place of the famous Fakir Mohan Senapati, who is considered to be the savior of modern Oriya language.
The English settlement of Balasore was formed in 1642, was an early trading port for British, French and Dutch ships in the early age of Enlightenment and became a colonial part of first Danish India, later British India.
In 1763 Balasore became a Danish possession, governed from Tranquebar, as part of Danish India. Due to the shallowness of its bay, the trading post was abandoned, leaving behind only a small settlement in the area. On 7 November 1845, all Danish India was sold to the British, who made it part of British India.
Since the beginning of the 20th century Balasore, as a strategic point, interested revolutionaries. On 9 September 1915, while waiting for German arms and ammunition despatched as part of the Indo-German Conspiracy
Air: The nearest Airport is Bhubaneswar , which is 198-kms from Balasore.
Rail: Nearest rail head is at Balasore on S.E.Rly.
Road: Connected by good motorable roads (5 Kms. From N.H. 5 ) regular Bus services are available from Bhubaneswar, Kolkata, Puri and other important places. Balasore is well connected by roads with Bhubaneshwar 198-kms, Cuttack 228-kms and Calcutta 234-kms. The Madras bound National Highway No-5 linking Calcutta- Balashore-Cuttack-Bhubaneswar is the main connector by road. There are several other bye-routes too such as Kolaghat-Digha-Jaleswar routes and Belda route.
Among the best shopping destinations in Balasore, Kusum Saree House and Shree Mandir are one of the most reputed saree shops in the area.
For shopping you can visit the local markets to buy souvenirs such as lacquered toys, Remuna brass work and Nilagiri carvings.