Balasore

Balasore (also known as Baleswar and Baleshwar) is a strategically located city in the state of Orissa in eastern India. It is the administrative headquarters of Balasore district. It is 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 Defence Research and Development Organisation developed many different missiles such as Nag, Brahmos, Agni missile among others here. The lingua franca is Oriya.History

The English settlement of Balasore, 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.Khirochora Gopinath Temple, situated at Remuna, approximately 7 km from the main town of Balsore, was built by the Great King Langula Narasimha Dev who also built the notable Temple at Konark. Khirochora Gopinath Temple is notable for its mythological story about how it was built there. The "Biranchi Narayana", "AstaDurga", "Bhudhar Chandi" are some other temples located in that region.
Chandipur-on-sea is a sea resort famous for its mile long shallow beaches. It is a unique beach where the tide comes to the shore only four times a day, at fixed intervals. At a distance of 30 k.m. south-west, there lies 'Panchalingeswara', a scenic spot high on a mountain. The presiding Siva there can't be seen, rather, one has to feel by touching the statue which is submerged under the flowing fountain. About 33 km south-west of Balasore, there is 'Santaragadia' is a semi town where 'Biseswar temple' is situated in the hill, covered by hills on its sides. Near to this place, there is 'Khulia Village' which is a settlement of aboriginal peoples staying in a scenic village surrounded by hills and fountains from all sides. Around 30 km south-east of Balasore, there is a port named 'Dhamra'.
Birth place of linguist and novelist Fakir Mohan Senapati, who created Oriya script apart from being an eminent freedom fighter against the British Raj. Also birth place of Oriya poet Kabibar Radhanath Ray, who is noted for his poems on the beauty of famous Chilika Lake apart from being an eminent freedom fighter against the British Raj. He is born in Kedarpur (soro) near to village Budei. Among the best shopping destinations in Balasore, Kusum Saree House and Shree Mandir are one of the most reputed saree shops in the area.