It was first time outing, although to the neighbouring state, yet the heart was pounding for reasons unknown. Destination: Puri-Bhubaneswar and back. It was a long weekend and the plan was a last moment one- to Bengal's one favourite getaway, Puri. Sea beaches never appealed to me such as the mighty mountains but this trip was- "lets give it a try, you never know". So out I stepped, yielded to the kindling wanderlust.
Missed out the train tickets as it was a last minute call, so the journeying started off from Hastings. Generally the usual start-off points be the Esplanade bus stand, however given to the IPL match at the Edens. Reached Puri the next day. The first thing that was done was reserving a cab driver for the enitre tour. The first day was completely dedicated to the sea beach. Summer was on the verge of getting into the heat waves, so the sands were much heated. But the shoreline melted the heat away and the deeper I went into the sea the more pleasant it became. The afternoon passed by the marine side watching and experiencing the waves accumulating and breaking onto the shore.
In the evening, it was decided to have a visit to Sawargadwar, literally the doorways to heaven, to have a taste of the famous Goja and also to have a look at the evening sea-shore.
The second day started with the sunrise at the beach, though it was a bit cloudy. The morning tea was available at the beach itself. Amidst the crowd and all the noise there was an innate quietude which was beguiling.
Later in the day, the Jagannath temple was visited. Since photography was not allowed in the premises, it is advisable not to carry camera or else you have to deposit your things to a keeper outside the temple premises. Pandas (local pandits) are available for guiding you through the temple. The temple parts consists of the following in order as- Mukhashala (Frontal porch); Nat mandir (Audience Hall/Dancing Hall); Garba griha (Sanctum sanctorum) where the trio are lodged on the ratnavedi (Throne of Pearls); Bhog Mandap (Offerings Hall). The temple roof architecture is pyramidical and rise in steps coinciding to form the Shikhar where each day different flags are waved. Other notable small temples are there of similar forms- Vimala temple dedicated to goddess lakshmi, saraswati temple, surya temple etc. The rest of the day was again spent on the beach.
As planned and as the train was at night, the third day trip was to visit Konark Sun temple, Dhaulagiri, Lingaraja Temple, Khandagiri-Udaygiri caves, Nandankanan and call it off at the BBSR (Bhubaneswar) station.
The Sun temple architecture represents a giant ornamented chariot dedicated to the Sun god Surya. The chariot runs on 24 stone carved wheels. The temple carvings are also known for their erotic sculptures. The temple follows the traditional style of Kalinga architecture. It is oriented towards the east so that the first rays of the sunrise strike the main entrance and the wheels acts as sundials.
Next stoppage was Dhauli where presumably Kalinga war was fought and hence the Santi Stupa at Dhauligiri was built and is dedicated to Buddha ideals.
Next on the way was Lingaraja Temple built in the same architectural line to Jagannath temple with the same temple rooms. The deity here is Lord Shiva. And again photography is not allowed.
Udaygiri and Khandagiri caves are renowned site seeing of BBSR. They are partly artificial partly natural caves. They are basically situated on two opposite hills. Compared to Khandagiri, Udayagiri offers more beautiful and better maintained cave shrines. There are 18 caves in Udayagiri. (Source: Wikipedia)
The last stoppage was Nandankanan. Though only half an hour was there for the schedule closing of the park, somehow it was managed to cover most of it. The white tiger and the reptile house are the luring ones. Others include crocodiles, turtles, deer, pangolins etc.
All in all, the architectures, and the sea as well, kept away the everyday drudgery at bay for few hours. That was a perfect recess so as to provide the further effervescence to life. And yes "lets give it a try, you never know" indeed worked well. That day on, I realized, wanderlust never depends on the place, it depends on you; its how you choose to feel it.
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