Balasore, also known as Baleshwar, is a city located in the state of Odisha in eastern India. It is situated approximately 215 km (134 mi) from the state capital, Bhubaneswar, and 240 km (149 mi) from Kolkata. The city serves as the administrative headquarters for the Balasore district.
As the largest city in northern Odisha, Balasore functions as a primary hub for health and education in the region. It is notably recognized for its association with Chandipur beach and is often referred to as "missile city." This nickname stems from the location of the Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Programme's Integrated Test Range, which is situated 18 km south of the city.