Brahmapur is a city on the eastern coastline of the East Indian state of Odisha (formerly known as Orissa).
About
Brahmapur {previously known as Berhampur) , and nicknamed "The Silk City", is a city on the eastern coastline of the state of Odisha. It is the third-largest city in Odisha, with a population of 350,000.
Brahmapur is a business hub, and has little to offer in terms of tourist activities. Nevertheless, it is an interesting place to visit if you want to know the feel of a busy Indian city off the well-travelled path. For the intrepid explorer, Brahmapur offers a variety of good shopping options and some food discoveries.
The rural development NGO Gram Vikas is located 14 km outside of Brahmapur, and host a number of international volunteers each year. Don't be surprised if you're from outside India and locals keep asking you if you work for Gram Vikas!
How to Reach
Brahmapur is well-connected by rail. Brahmapur station is part of East Coast Railways, and is 2.5 hours from the capital city of Bhubaneswar. Brahmapur is a stop on the line from Kolkata to Chennai, making it a convenient stop along the way, with many trains running every day.
There are fewer direct trains from Puri to Brahmapur. However, you can catch a train to Khurda Road Junction, and switch there.
Bhubaneswar Airport is well-connected to major Indian cities through Indian airlines (Indian Airlines and Goindigo) You can fly to Bhubaneswar, and take one of the more than 25 trains connecting Bhubaneswar and Brahmapur daily.
There are a number of buses that go and from Brahmapur. They tend to be cheaper than the train, though less comfortable because of the road conditions. Buses arrive in the New Bus Terminal, located some distance outside the city center. You will need an auto-rickshaw or cycle rickshaw to reach the center. (See "Get Around" below.)
Get around
The main mode of transportation in Brahmapur is the auto-rickshaw. Cycle rickshaws are also available, and are slower but cheaper. You should ask for the price up front, and are expected to bargain.
The center of town is called the Old Bus Stand. Located around the Old Bus Stand are the two largest hotels in town, Nandan and Jyoti Residency. In front of these hotels you can find Ambassador taxis. They are naturally more expensive than auto-rickshaws, but more comfortable for longer drives. Again, expect to bargain for your fare up front.
See
Brahmapur is a busy, crowded business city with few things to attract foreign tourists. Nevertheless, it can be a fun, if bruising experience of life in a real East Indian city, with friendly people and a few great food discoveries awaiting the intrepid explorer.
Do
Work
Brahmapur is close to many tribal villages in rural Odisha. The NGO Gram Vikas [1], who work with rural and tribal communities in Odisha, are located 14 km outside Brahmapur. They welcome serious, committed international volunteers interested in rural development.
Buy
Eat
Brahmapur is famous in India for its papad (popadum), aachard (pickles), and badis. Additionally, there are many food options, ranging from street stall to fancy hotel restaurant. Not all of the street stalls are sanitary, so be sure to observe the proceedings, and eat only at stalls that get a lot of business.
Some things worth trying:
Drink
Brahmapur is a fairly conservative Indian city, so bars are very rare, almost exclusively for men, and pretty shady. The 'nicest' bar is probably Regency Bar, between Nandan Hotel and Jyoti Residency. Note that women are very rarely patrons of these establishments, and may be refused service altogether. It is not recommended for solo female travelers to go out to these bars. Restaurants and hotels do not serve alcohol.
Sleep
Some options in Brahmapur:
Stay safe
The biggest hazard in Brahmapur comes from the chaotic traffic. Make sure to look both sides before crossing a street, even in a one-way street!
Although Brahmapur is not a touristy city, make sure to keep your belongings close to you and in a safe place, particularly around the train station or the Old Bus Stand.
There is a police station right next to the Old Bus Stand, in front of Nandan Hotel.
Respect
Brahmapur is a traditional Indian city that gets very few tourists every year. Make sure to wear culturally-appropriate clothes, especially if you are a woman. You won't get in trouble if you don't, but you might attract a lot of unwanted attention from men.
A lot of people will be curious of you if you are a foreigner. They may approach you, asking for your name and nationality, and wanting to shake your hand. As a rule, these are not people out to scam you in any way, just curious, friendly people. Take the time to chat with them, and try and make a good impression! Don't feel obliged to agree to anything that makes you uncomfortable.
Cope
The city can get very hot and polluted in the hot season, between March and June. The winter (November to February) is the best time to visit, with dry, cool evenings and very few rain. In the monsoon season (June to October), streets can get flooded with dirty rain. Make sure to take extra care to wash your hands before meals.
Like many places in India, although there is a lot of delicious street and restaurant food around the city, not all of them are clean and hygienic. Make sure to observe stalls or restaurants, and only go to those with a lot of people, and that inspire you to eat there. Make sure to regularly wash your hands, especially before meals. If you fall ill, there are a number of pharmacies and health stores around the city where you can get medicine.
Go next
Brahmapur is 2.5h away from Bhubaneswar, and 3.5h away from Puri. It's located on the main train line from Kolkata to Chennai, making it a convenient stop. It's also a good jumping-off point to nearby places such as Gopalpur-on-sea.
Places located near Brahmapur:
Reproduced from Wikipedia
