Sights Around Kumari Hill
तारा तारिणी के पास घूमने की जगहें
Page 3 of 6. Checked 16 October 2026
Ganjam district packs a lot into a short drive: an Ashokan rock edict, a famous sea-turtle beach, a quiet seaside town, a silk city and the edge of Asia's largest brackish lake. Most of these can be combined with a Tara Tarini visit in one or two days.
Distances here are road estimates from public sources, and they differ a little from one source to another. Please use a map app for the exact route. This is Page 3 of our 6-page Tara Tarini guide.
In short: Jaugada is the closest sight. Gopalpur-on-Sea and Berhampur are about 30 to 40 km away. Chilika (Rambha) is about 45 km and Taptapani is about 45 to 56 km from Berhampur. Last checked: 16 October 2026.
Nearby at a Glance
एक नज़र में
Master list
| Place | Distance and note |
|---|---|
| Jaugada | Ashoka rock edicts and a ruined fort. About 35 km north-west of Berhampur (Wikipedia). About 8 km in a straight line from the temple (our calculation), so the road is probably 10 to 12 km |
| Rushikulya river and beach | River beside the temple, and a turtle nesting beach at its mouth on the coast |
| Gopalpur-on-Sea | Beach town, about 10 km from Berhampur |
| Berhampur (Brahmapur) | Main city and rail stop, about 28 to 32 km from the temple. Known for silk |
| Chilika Lake (Rambha) | About 45 km from Berhampur |
| Taptapani hot springs | About 45 to 56 km from Berhampur. The same Wikivoyage page gives 45 km in one place and 56 km in another |
Jaugada: Ashoka's Edicts
जौगड़ा
Closest ancient site
Jaugada, once called Samapa, is a ruined fortress in Ganjam. It was a Mauryan provincial centre of the newly conquered Kalinga region. A central rock carries Ashoka's Major Rock Edicts 1 to 10 and 14, and two Separate Edicts, carved in Prakrit around 250 BCE. A moat and the remains of towers can still be seen. Wikipedia places the site 35 km north-west of Brahmapur, and the temple is about 28 km from Brahmapur, so the two are close but not next door.
A correction: One history article says Jaugada is about 4 km from Tara Tarini Hill. Using the map coordinates of both places, the straight-line gap is closer to 8 km, and the road may be longer. Please check the route on a map before you go.
Tip: Go in daylight, carry water and respect any barricades or signs. We did not find an official opening-hours notice, so please ask locally.
Rushikulya: River and Turtle Beach
ऋषिकुल्या
Sea turtles by the thousand
The Rushikulya river flows beside Tara Tarini Hill and reaches the Bay of Bengal in Ganjam. Its mouth is one of the world's major nesting beaches for Olive Ridley sea turtles. In a mass nesting called arribada, hundreds of thousands of females come ashore. In 2025 about 6.98 lakh turtles nested over eight days from 16 to 23 February, a record for the site, according to Down To Earth. Eggs take about 45 days to hatch. Earlier years saw nesting from late February to early April.
Visit with care: Nesting dates change every year and are not announced long in advance. Forest staff fence and guard the beach. Do not use flash or bright lights, do not touch eggs or turtles, and follow local forest department rules. Ask at Gopalpur or Chhatrapur for the current status.
Gopalpur-on-Sea
गोपालपुर-ऑन-सी
Easy seaside stop
Gopalpur-on-Sea is a small beach town about 10 km from Berhampur, with town buses from the Old Bus Stand. It is a pleasant place for a sea breeze and a meal after the climb. Swim only where locals say it is safe, because Bay of Bengal currents can be strong.
Berhampur: City, Silk and Temples
ब्रह्मपुर
Where most visitors stay
Berhampur, also written Brahmapur, is the main city of the region and sits on the Kolkata-Chennai rail line. Wikivoyage describes it as a silk centre, and shops cluster around the Old Bus Stand, Bhapur Bazaar and Bada Bazaar. The Ramalingeswar Temple is one of the places visitors see in the city. It is a good base for hotels, food and onward transport.
Buying silk: Ask for a weaver's or a government-recognised shop, and compare prices. We have not verified any shop, so please treat all purchases as your own choice.
Chilika and Taptapani
चिलिका और तप्तपानी
A longer day out
Chilika Lake at Rambha is about 45 km from Berhampur and is known for birds and boat rides. The Taptapani hot springs are about 45 to 56 km from Berhampur (the Wikivoyage page gives both figures, so confirm on a map). Plan these as separate day trips, because each one needs a few hours on the road.
Sample Plans
यात्रा योजना
Simple ideas
| Half day | Tara Tarini darshan, then Jaugada on the way back toward Berhampur |
| One day | Tara Tarini early, Jaugada, Berhampur lunch, then Gopalpur-on-Sea for the evening |
| Two days | Day 1 as above. Day 2: Rambha on Chilika, or Taptapani, with a stay in Berhampur |
| Turtle season | Between roughly February and April, ask locally whether nesting is under way at Rushikulya |
For timings, tickets and tips on the hill, see Page 2. For roads, trains and flights, see Page 4. For the story of the goddess, see Page 1.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers
What is the nearest sight to Tara Tarini Temple?
When can I see Olive Ridley turtles near Tara Tarini?
How far is Gopalpur-on-Sea from Berhampur?
How far is Chilika Lake from Berhampur?
Can I visit Jaugada and Tara Tarini on the same day?
Is Berhampur known for silk?
Where should I stay for these trips?
Tara Tarini Temple - Complete Guide (6 pages)
- Page 1: History, Story and Significance
- Page 2: Timings, Darshan and Visit Tips
- Page 3: Places to Visit Near Tara Tarini (you are here)
- Page 4: How to Reach Tara Tarini
- Page 5: Complete Guide Hub
- Page 6: Fact Check - True or False
Plan your Ganjam trip
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Sources and further reading
- Wikipedia: Jaugada: location, edicts, fort, coordinates
- Live History India (2019): Jaugada described as about 4 km from the hill, which we checked against map coordinates
- Wikivoyage: Brahmapur: Gopalpur, Chilika, Taptapani, silk, rail line
- Down To Earth: Olive Ridley turtles at Rushikulya (2025): nesting dates and numbers
- Wikipedia: Tara Tarini Mandir: temple coordinates and distance from Brahmapur
- Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors, with credits under each photo
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