Mandasaru : a day trip to nature camp

 

Majestic view of  the mountains from the spot

It was an instant decision to visit this place, whose name appealed most to us at the first instance when we saw some pictures of the place on the facebook timeline of our friend Srikant Acharya. The name Mandasaru Kuti, reminded us of the then dangerous demon Mandasur who ate a cart full of Manda Pitha. The pictures were awesome which energized the photographer in me to take a rather long trip outside my comfort zone to see this place inside Odisha and at one hundred and fifty kilometers from my city.

We had been travellers for quite long and we have seen many places and everytime we wanted a break somehow we ended up landing in some other state to see the places, but we never gave an introspection on the places in and around Odisha or to be more specific our district. This was a golden chance to explore something new.

The small balcony for visitors to seat and view nature

On the eve of Raja Sankranti in the morning we suddenly decided to hit the road and reach Mandasaru Kuti. The travel was very pleasant due to the cloudy weather. The stretch from Berhampur till Raikia via -Hinjilicut - Aska - Bhanjanagar - Durgaprasad - Kalinga - G Udayagiri was an awesome drive. The roads are wide and well protected and that cut short the driving duration.

Information panel inside the premises

Beginning from Berhampur at about 11 in the morning we reached Hinjilicut at 12 and had some breakfast at Lily Video on the Bus Stand premises. From there we moved on for another 100 KMs to reach Raikia at about 3 PM. Information about the place was not available enroute neither the place was advertised enough for a common traveller to know about this. From Raikia we moved right and reached someplace where finally we saw a very small board informing us about the place as an Eco Tourism Spot.

The road to the place is in dilapidated condition and inhabited by animals of all sorts who do not mind making the road their shed. We had difficulty in driving through the narrow roads till the place which took us about half an hour for a stretch of only 12 KMs. But the reach was worth it.

Entry Fee per person @10 Rupees

Mandasaru is a small hillock side spot near Raikia in Kandhamal District of Odisha, about 12 KMs from Raikia, 35 KMs from G.Udayagiri and 155 KMs from Berhampur. The travel is very relaxing except the last 12 KMS where you have to be extra careful about the cattle on the road and also some kuccha roads in that area. Once you reach the area, there is absolutely nothing you find at the front of the place, except a saal tree plantation garden with few swings for kids and a statue of Mother mary atop a small dias like elevation surrounded by some flower plants.

Getting inside costs you 10 Rupees for each visitor and you won't regret paying that once you start moving inside the garden towards the other end, there is a big tower with chairs for visitors. When you climb atop the tower you will be mesmerized to see the breathtaking view of a deep depression of about 600 Feets from the level you are in and the depression runs forward till many layers of mountains and tall and flat stonewall like structures which is a great view to relax.

There are two towers, one double decker tower and another single. You can take a hundred of pictures there and still you will want to shoot some more. The place is indeed a very beautiful place which in my personal view all people must visit. When You see the majestic view of the mountains on both sides of the deep depression, you forget all the pains you have taken to reach that spot.

We are spending thousands of rupees to go out and visit similar places in and around Ooty or Kodaikanal, but we are unaware of the places inside our own state where you can see everything in such a beautiful way. This place has not been victim of high traffic visitors and so it is clean and green and the place is very relaxing in nature.

Wooden Cottage with all modern amenities

For visitors who wish to spend some more time there at night, there is a wooden cottage with all modern facilities available on the side of the hill, where staying at night and watching hundreds of varieties of insects is yet another wonderful experience as my friend Srikant intimated me.

We spent about an hour there but could not stay for long because we had to return back home and so we left the place with feeling of missing something. Nature can be so relaxing and releaving of all your pains, can only be felt at this place called Mandasaru.

If you are planning for a days vacation, I suggest you visit this place. Make sure if you are going there carry your own eatables and water too. Although there is provision of water there, and also food can be made available on special request.

The best time to visit Mandasaru is now, in rains the roads may become muddy making your travel experience sour. Winter here is extremely chilling cold and so you may have to carry a lot of warm clothes. Do not forget to charge your mobiles to the full for the unlimited number of selfies you will take there and for the camera yielding friends, carry an extra battery and a wide lens for the best panoramic shot. Sadly I did not have a wide lens and so could not take a good wide shot.

I would like to suggest the government to make extra efforts to popularize this place by advertising about this place in different fora and also placing banners and boards across the district roads so that people can go there and please upgrade the roads so that occasional visitors like us find the riding enjoyable.

I forgot to mention that all along the road from Raikia to Mandasaru, we saw big farms of Plantain and Mango and trees as tall as three to four feet were laden with ripe mangoes which was very interesting. We wished if we can put our hand on some such trees but we are avoding sugar these days. But you can stop by and ask the farmers to show you their garden.

My friend Srikant, whose facebook post created my interest in the place intimated later that there is a small waterfall on the way to Mandasaru from Raikia, which we missed, because of unavailability of information. So we sincerely request the government to create some awareness and also place milestones and directions to different places in that terrain.

Our tour itinerary :

11:00 AM - Began journey from Berhampur

11:45 AM - Breakfast at Lily Video, Hinjilicut

12:15 PM - hit the road to Mandasaru

12:45 PM - Aska, Enjoyed Kheera (Cucumber) and Pineapple

1:45 PM - Reached Bhanjanagar

2:15 PM - Durga Prasad, Picked up some soft drinks and Cold water

2:30 PM - Reached Kalinga after enjoying a beatiful scenic drive on the Kalinga Ghats.

2:45 PM - Reached G. Udayagiri, collected further directions from friends

3:10 PM - Reached Raikia collected directions from local people

3:30 PM - Reached Mandasaru

4:45 PM - Left Mandasaru

5:40 PM - Reached G Udayagiri, Thanked from Srikanta for the direction

6:00 PM - Entered the Kalinga Ghat roads

6:10 PM - Reached Durgaprasad and had some snacks

8:30 PM - Reached Berhampur safely

Total Distance : 325 KMs (From my home)

Food and Beverages are available all throughout the route so do not worry. You can have lunch at Durga Prasad or G.Udayagiri where good number of hotels are available offering common food like Rice, Dal, Curry etc.

I suggest you begin the journey early in the morning so that you can spend some more time there.

Daringbadi : Kashmir of Odisha

Daringbadi from Distance

The Kashmir of Odisha, Daringbadi is a sleepy town in the district of Kandhamal in Odisha. It has been very famous for the extreme cold conditions during the winters and often there are news of snowfall in the hillsides of this small town. We had been making plans to visit this place during the winters and thanks to a couple of holidays during this month of December, we finally had the option to visit the hill station.

It is a long tour of 135 Kms from Berhampur through Aska - Surada route. I had it in mind that we can touch Surada in sharp 2 hours and from there, it will take about an hour or a bit more. And so we made plans to leave Berhampur by 6 in the morning and reach Daringbadi by 9:30. As there were news that there is fog and cold during the early morning hours. But we could not start our journey before 7:30.

The roads are fairly clean and smooth with a whole lot of traffic as Berhampur - Aska route is a busy road. Anyway we dropped midway at Hinjilicut to have our breakfast. Remember, breakfast is the major meal of the day and you must never skip it.

Lily Foods on the busstand of Hinjilicut is a well known joint for some morning breakfast. It is affordable and good place which we have been visiting for last many years.

We had Puri + Masala Upma + Chhole @ Rs 20/Plate and 3 Idlis + Guguni + Chutney @ Rs 15/Plate, Bara / Gaari, Alu Chop, Samosha all @ Rs 7 / Piece. You can pick up cold water, drinks, chocolates, snacks and sweets from this place too.

Anyway we spent a good half an hour at Hinjilicut which further delayed our journey. After that we were on road and did not stop till Surada. We reached Surada by about 9:30 AM. And then we moved on the Berhampur - Raipur NH Stretch towards Daringbadi. The road is good except at a stretch of about 10 kms where there are potholes and the roads are worn off. And then from Gajalbadi, you have to drive on the stretch of about 15 KMs Ghat roads which are having too many sharp curves and if you are not confident of driving on those roads, it is wise to pick up a driver who can do the task for you. The sudden ascent of the height may cause dizziness and head reeling in occasional traveller and I always feel like my ears are blocked when I drive uphill. It is wise we keep a lot of chocolates and water while going up hill.

The drive on the ghat roads was really taking its toll on everyone as all were feeling dizzy. Somehow we covered a distance of about 50 KMs in one hour sharp and we were at Daringbadi by 10:30 AM.
In the main square on the road, there was a good policing and we were asked to present our vehicles details and documents for verification. It may be because this is the month of XMas and they do not want any problems in the town. The police personnel were good and they helped us well too.

From Surada we head towards Brahmagan Road for about 15 KMs when we reached a place called MIDUBANDA WATER FALLS. The road to the falls was not a road but sort of something like that. We did not have any problem going there, but while coming back, our vehicle could not go up and so we had to get everyone off the vehicle and we drive up.

Midubanda Water Falls, Dashingbadi

From the vehicle stand to the waterfall is a stretch of about 100 meters, which had little stairs and nothing much and going down was not much difficult. The waterfall was beautiful and you must go there if you wish to enjoy the scenery. You can take a bath there too, but beware the water was sleepery. People were seen taking selfies and photographs there, but what made me feel sad was that there were as many as 4 groups of people cooking food there for picnic and the place was a complete mess with all filth all around. I wish the local authorities did something to keep the area clean for the visitors.

After the waterfall we had to climb the stairs and hill to reach our vehicle. It is indeed breathtaking and if you have arthritis, do not dare go there. Also if you have weakness of height, you must neither go there. We did not however face any trouble and reached our vehicle.

Midubanda Waterfall, Dashing badi

After the visit to the waterfall we were on the route to Daringbadi, but in the sides of the road there are huge jungles of Eucalyptus trees and other tall Sal trees too. We stopped there for a few photographs. We were all feeling hungry by then. But we had to visit the Coffee Plantation site in Daringbadi, which was a beaufitul place. You must visit this place for taking good photographs. There are stretches of coffee plants, plants of black pepper, sal trees, and much more. They have even made special cages for Rabbits there. And also you can see a floating stone which has been kept there for the visitors. I liked this area very much.

After the visit to the coffee gardens we were all feeling hungry and so decided to have something to eat before hitting the other places of interest in the town. There are some hotels in the town, which you can not tell to be real restaurants but they offer good food. We stopped by a small hotel Balia in the main roads and he fed us with much better homemade food and it was affordable too. After the food with Mutton, Egg, Fish, And many more items, we headed to the hillview park.

The hill view park has been constructed atop a small hillock and you have to pay a fee of five rupees to enter into the park, which is worth it. There are many statues of animals there. Apart from the breathtaking views of the valley from the place, there are many amusement rides and swings for kids there. The tower in the corner of the park gives you a magnificient view of the valley and long stretches of plantation on the hill sides. We took as many photos as we could. There is a tribal museum adjacent to the park.

You can visit this place for free. Although at present this museum houses not many exhibits. But there are some cool things to see. Hopefully they will add more articles there soon. But the house sure is a cool place to visit.

In front of the Hillview park there is a newly constructed nature park too, where there are more exciting things to see. Which includes a 3D theater, a butterfly park, a herbal garden, amusement rides, tribal cultural exhibits etc.

You need to pay an amount of 5 Rupees for entry in to the park but you are gonna see something really charming inside. I loved the stroll along the length of the park and see a whole lot of many varieties of flowers in the park. And the butterfly park houses a insanely wonderful collection of flowers, sadly I did not see any butterflies there, may be because it was evening and the insects were gone to sleep.

In the center of the herbal gargen there is a statue of a sage and that gives the environment a good feel to view and take photos. I would however like to make a few complaints here. I liked everything about the hill view park and nature park, what bothered me most was that there was no toilet facility. Don't get me wrong, if you see there are toilets inside the park, those are purely non-functional and there is no water supply and good facility and thanks to some people, the toilets are looking the worst. I suggest if you are going there carry your own water.

The town of Daringbadi may have been called the Kashmir of Odisha, but it is not as cold as you might expect. While in news papers we got the information that the temperature of Daringbadi is about 7 Degrees centigrade, in reality it was not less than 30 Degrees, But someone informed that the temperature we are thinking about is the night time temperature, but if you wish to feel the cold you must stay here for a night.

Now that is not in our plans and we had to return back home and we wanted to cross the treacherous stretch of curvy ghat roads before dark, and so we started our homeward journey from Daringbadi at 6 in the evening and thankful to the gentleman who drove a Mahindra XUV, we felt like were being piloted and the vehicle guided us down till the plains and we faced no problems.

We were back in Berhampur by 8:30 PM. The day well spent at Daringbadi, of course we could have stayed back for more and taken some more shots but anyway, there is always a next time. Hope to return there to take good photos. Also I forgot to mention, we saw many good birds there. I wanted to shoot but could not. They are on my list for my next trip.

ଅଧାଦିନପାଇଁ ଶ୍ରୀ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ ପୁରୀ ଯାତ୍ରା

The royal gateway to Puri

ଅପ୍ରେଲ ମାସର ପ୍ରବଳ ଗରମ ସମୟରେ ଲଗାତାର ତିନିଦିନ ଛୁଟି ମିଳିବା ଏକ ପ୍ରକାରର ଉପହାର ସଦୃଶ ହିଁ ହୋଇପାରେ୤ ପ୍ରଥମେ ବିଷୁବ ସଂକ୍ରାନ୍ତି, ତା ପରଦିନ ଡା ବାବାରାଓ ଆମ୍ବେଦକର ଜୟନ୍ତୀ ଏବଂ ଶେଷରେ ଶ୍ରୀରାମ ନବମୀ୤ ବିଷୁବ ସଂକ୍ରାନ୍ତିଦିନ ବ୍ରହ୍ମପୁରରେ ଉତ୍ସବମୁଖର ବାତାବରଣକୁ ଛାଡ଼ିଦେଇ ବାହାରକୁ ଯିବା କେବେ ବି ଭଲ ଲାଗେନି୤ ତେଣୁ ମନେ ମନେ ଚିନ୍ତା କରିଥିଲି ପରଦିନ ଅର୍ଥାତ ୧୪ ଅପ୍ରେଲରେ କୌଣସି ଏକ ସ୍ଥାନକୁ ଯାତ୍ରା କରିବି୤ ପ୍ରଥମେ ଚିନ୍ତା କରିଥିଲି ନୟାଗଡ଼ ଜିଲ୍ଲା ଯାଇ ଓଡ଼ଗାଁ, ଶରଣକୂଳ ଓ କଣ୍ଟିଲୋ ଆଦି ସ୍ଥାନ ଦେଖି ଆସିବି, ହେଲେ ସକାଳୁ ଉଠିବା ବେଳକୁ ନିଦ ଭାଙ୍ଗିଲାନାହିଁ୤ ଦିନ ଦଶଟା ବେଳକୁ ତଥାପି ଇଚ୍ଛା ହେଉଥିଲା ଲମ୍ବାରାସ୍ତାରେ ଗାଡ଼ି ନେଇଯାଇ ବୁଲି ଆସିବା ପାଇଁ, ତେଣୁ ମନେ ମନେ ସ୍ଥିର କଲି, ପୁରୀ ଯିବାପାଇଁ୤  ଘରେ ବି ସାଙ୍ଗେ ସାଙ୍ଗେ ତୟାର ହୋଇଗଲେ୤ ଆମେ ସ୍ଥିର କଲୁ ଯଦି ଆମେ ଏଗାରଟା ସୁଦ୍ଧା ବାହାରିବା ତା ହେଲେ ଅନ୍ୟୁନ ଚାରିଘଣ୍ଟାର ଯାତ୍ରା ପରେ ତିନିଟା ବେଳକୁ ପୁରୀରେ ପହଞ୍ଚିବା ଆଉ ମହାପ୍ରଭୂଙ୍କୁ ଦର୍ଶନ କରି, ଅବଢ଼ା ସେବନ କରିଦେଇ ପୁଣି ସନ୍ଧ୍ୟାରେ ଫେରିଲେ ରାତି ସୁଦ୍ଧା ଘରେ ହାଜର ହୋଇଯିବା୤

ଘରୁ ବାହାରିବା ବେଳକୁ ସାଢ଼େ ଏଗାର ହୋଇସାରିଥିଲା୤ ବାହାରେ ଗ୍ରୀଷ୍ମତାପ ଆଉ ଉତ୍ତପ୍ତ ବାୟୁ ହେଲେ ଗାଡ଼ି ଭିତରର ଶୀତାତାପ ନିୟନ୍ତ୍ରଣ ଯନ୍ତ୍ର ଆମକୁ ଗରମକୁ ଅନୁଭବ କରିବାକୁ ଦେଇନଥିଲା୤ ବ୍ରହ୍ମପୁରରେ ରହୁଥିବା ମୋ ଶାଶୁଶଶୁରଙ୍କୁ ସାଥିରେ ନେଇ ଆମେ ବାହାରିବା ବେଳକୁ ବାରଟା ବାଜି ସାରିଥିଲା୤ ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ ଯଦିଓ ଜଣାଇ ନଥିଲୁ ଯେ ଆମେ ପୁରୀ ଯିବାପାଇଁ ବାହାରିଛୁ, ସେମାନେ ଭାବିଥିଲେ ଆମେ ହୁଏତ ବାଲୁଗାଁ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଯାଇ ନାରାୟଣୀ ଢାବାରେ ଖାଇପିଇ ଫେରିଆସିବା ବୋଲି୤ କିନ୍ତୁ ରାଷ୍ଟ୍ରୀୟ ରାଜମାର୍ଗରେ ଗାଡ଼ି ଯେତେବେଳେ ପ୍ରବଳ ବେଗରେ ଚାଲୁଥିଲା ଏବଂ ବାହାରର ଗରମ ଗାଡ଼ି ଭିତରେ ଅନୁଭବ ହେଉନଥିଲା, ସେତେବେଳେ ସେମାନଙ୍କୁ ଜଣେଇ ଦିଆଗଲା ଯେ ଆମେ ଆଜି ଅଶୋକାଷ୍ଟମୀ ପରି ଏକ ପବିତ୍ର ଦିନରେ ପୁରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ ଜଗନ୍ନାଥଙ୍କୁ ଦର୍ଶନ କରିବାକୁ ଯିବା୤ ସେମାନେ ଆଶ୍ଚର୍ଯ୍ୟ ହୋଇଯାଇଥିଲେ୤

Back seat Passengers

Jagannath Sadak

Meekon with Aja

Can You imagine we planned the surprise trip to Puri

We are mad

Group Shots on the way

Meekon and Mama

Enroute to Puri

Myself in a selfie

ବ୍ରହ୍ମପୁରରୁ ଆମେ ଯାତ୍ରା କରିଥିଲୁ ରାମେଶ୍ବରମ୍ ଛକ ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଯେଉଁଠାରୁ ଆମକୁ ଶ୍ରୀଜଗନ୍ନାଥ ସଡ଼କରେ ଗାଡ଼ି ନେଇ ଗଲେ କିଞ୍ଚିତ୍ କମ ରାସ୍ତା ପଡ଼ିବ ବୋଲି ଚିନ୍ତା କରି ଆମେ ବାହାରିଥିଲୁ୤ ଏହି ରାସ୍ତାରେ ଗୋଟିଏ ଟୋଲ୍ ଗେଟ୍ ଆସେ, ବାଲୁଗାଁ ପରେ ପରେ, ସେଠାରେ ଉଭୟ ପାର୍ଶ୍ବକୁ ଯିବା ଆସିବା ପାଇଁ ୧୦୫ ଟଙ୍କାର ରସିଦ କାଟିବାକୁ ପଡ଼ିଥିଲା୤ ଏହାପରେ ଆମେ ପହଞ୍ଚିଥିଲୁ ରାମେଶ୍ବରମ୍ ଛକରେ୤ ଏଠାରେ ଅନେକ ଦୋକାନ ବଜାର ରହିଛି୤ ଅନେକ ରାସ୍ତା ଯାତ୍ରା କରିବାକୁ ଯାଉଥିଲା ଯାତ୍ରୀମାନେ ଏଠାରେ କିଛି ସମୟ ରହି ନିଜର ଶୋଷ ମେଣ୍ଟେଇବାପାଇଁ ଜୁସ୍ ଆଉ ଲସି ଦୋକାନ ସବୁ ଖୋଲିଛି୤ ସେଠାରେ ଆମେ କିଛି ସମୟ ରହିଥିଲୁ ଆଉ ସାମାନ୍ୟ କ୍ଷୁଧାନିବାରଣ ହେତୁ କିଛି କିଛି ଗରମ ବରା ଆଉ ଛେନାପୋଡ଼ ଖାଇବା ସହିତ ଥଣ୍ଡାପାନୀୟର ମଜା ନେଇଥିଲୁ୤ ଏହାପରେ ଆମର ଯାତ୍ରା ଆରମ୍ଭ ହୋଇଥିଲା ପୁରୀ ଅଭିମୁଖେ୤

Mamun Posing for Pictures

Mamun Posing for Pictures

Mamun Posing for Pictures

Mamun and Aai Posing for Pictures

Mamun Posing for Pictures

Mamun Posing for Pictures

Mamun Posing for Pictures

Mamun Posing for Pictures

Jagannath Sadak

ଶ୍ରୀଜଗନ୍ନାଥ ସଡ଼କ ଭଲ ରାସ୍ତା ବୋଲି ଶୁଣିଥିଲୁ ତେଣୁ ସେଇ ରାସ୍ତାରେ ଯିବାକୁ ବାହାରିଥିଲୁ୤ ସେହି ରାସ୍ତାରେ ଅନେକ ଶାସନ ବା ବ୍ରାହ୍ମଣଶାସନ ସବୁ ରହିଛି୤ ସେହି ସବୁ ଗାଁ ମଧ୍ୟଦେଇ ଗଲାବେଳେ ଦୁଇ ପାଖରେ ଥିଲା ଅଗଣିତ ନଡ଼ିଆ ଆଉ ଗୁଆ ଗଛ, ସେ ସବୁ ରାସ୍ତା ଉପରକୁ ରହି ରାସ୍ତାକୁ ସୁଶୀତଳ ଛାୟା ପ୍ରଦାନ କରୁଥିଲେ୤ କିଛି ରାସ୍ତା ଯିବାପରେ ଗୋଟିଏ ରାସ୍ତା ପାର୍ଶ୍ବରେ ସଜ ତାଳ ବିକ୍ରୀ ହେଉଥିବା ଦେଖି ଗାଡ଼ି ଅଟକାଇଥିଲୁ୤ ସେଠରେ ସଜ ତାଳ ଖାଇବା ପରେ ଫୋଟୋ ଉଠେଇଥିଲୁ୤ ଦୁଇପାଖରେ ଅନେକ ବୃହଦାକାର ଗଛ ଏବଂ ଲମ୍ବା ସର୍ପିଳ ରାସ୍ତାରେ ଗାଡ଼ି ଚଳାଇବା ଯେତେ ମନୋହର ଥିଲା, ରାସ୍ତା ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଅନେକ ହମ୍ପ୍ ବା ସ୍ପିଡ୍ ବ୍ରେକର୍ ଯାତ୍ରାକୁ ସେତେ ବିରକ୍ତିକର ମଧ୍ୟ କରିଦେଉଥିଲେ୤ କିଛି ରାସ୍ତା ଗଲାପରେ ସିମେଣ୍ଟ୍ ତିଆରି ରାସ୍ତା ଆସିଥିଲା, ଯାହାର ଉଭୟ ପାର୍ଶ୍ବରେ ଅନେକ ବୃକ୍ଷ୍ୟଥିଲା୤ ଏଠାରେ ରହି ଆମେ ଅନେକ ଫୋଟୋ ନେଇଥିଲୁ୤ ସେଇଠାରୁ ବାହାରି ଆମେ ସିଧା ଚାଲିଥିଲୁ ଶ୍ରୀକ୍ଷେତ୍ର୤ ପୁରୀ ଯେତେ ନିକଟତର ହେଉଥିଲା ଆମେ ସେତେ ଉତ୍ସାହିତ ହୋଇ ଉଠୁଥିଲୁ୤ ବାଟମଙ୍ଗଳା, ଅଠରନଳା ଆଦି ଦେଇ ଆମେ ଯେତେବେଳେ ପୁରୀ ମଧ୍ୟକୁ ପ୍ରବେଶ କଲୁ ସେତେବେଳେ ଅନେକ ଆନନ୍ଦ ଲାଗିଥିଲା୤ ବଡ଼ଦାଣ୍ଡରେ ଗାଡ଼ି ପହଞ୍ଚିବାପରେ ଆମେ ଗାଡ଼ିକୁ ଚାରିଚକିଆ ରଖିବା ସ୍ଥାନରେ ରଖିଦେଇ ଦୁଇଟି ରିକ୍ସା କରି ଶ୍ରୀମନ୍ଦିର ଆଡ଼କୁ ବାହାରିଲୁ୤

A devotee, surrendering himself to the lords

Random Mobile Shot of the temple

Mamun Posing for Picture infront of the temple

One selfie in front of Temple

The abode of the lords

Mamun Trying Photography skills

Group Selfie in front of Bada Danda

ଚାରିଚକିଆ ରଖାଯାଉଥିବା ସ୍ଥାନରୁ ଶ୍ରୀମନ୍ଦିରର ବାଟ ଅନ୍ୟୁନ ତିନିଶହ ମିଟର କିନ୍ତୁ ଏହି ରାସ୍ତାକୁ ନେବାପାଇଁ ଅଟୋମାନେ ଶହେ ରୁ ଦେଢ଼ଶହ ଟଙ୍କା ଦାବୀ କରୁଥିବା ବେଳେ ରିକ୍ସାରେ ଆମେ କୋଡ଼ିଏ ଟଙ୍କାରେ ଯାଇ ପହଞ୍ଚିଗଲୁ୤ ମନ୍ଦିର ବାହାରେ ହନୁମାନ ଜୟନ୍ତୀପାଇଁ ତିଆରି ହୋଇଥିବା ସୁସଜ୍ଜିତ ତୋରଣ ତଳେ ଆମେ ରହିଲୁ ଏବଂ ଏଠାରୁ ଶ୍ରୀମନ୍ଦିର ଦର୍ଶନରେ ଗଲୁ୤ ଆମ ପୁଅର ବୟସ ଏକ ବର୍ଷ ହୋଇନଥିବା ହେତୁ ତାକୁ ମନ୍ଦିର ଭିତରକୁ ନେବା ବାରଣ ଥିଲା ତେଣୁ ସେ ନିଜ ଅଜାଆଇଙ୍କ ପାଖରେ ରହିବା ପରେ ଆମେ ସସ୍ତ୍ରୀକ ଝିଅ ନ୍ୟାସାକୁ ସାଥିରେ ନେଇ ମନ୍ଦିରକୁ ଯାଇଥିଲୁ୤ ଅନେକ ବର୍ଷପରେ ଆମେ ଶ୍ରୀମନ୍ଦିର ଯାଇଥିଲୁ୤ ଆମକୁ କୌଣସି ପ୍ରକାରର ଅସୁବିଧା ହୋଇନଥିଲା୤ ଆମେ ଶ୍ରୀଜଗନ୍ନାଥଙ୍କ ଦର୍ଶନ ସ୍ବଚ୍ଛନ୍ଦରେ କରିଥିଲୁ୤ ଜଗମୋହନର ମରାମତି ପାଇଁ ଭିତର ଗମ୍ଭୀରାକୁ ପ୍ରବେଶ ମନାଥିଲା ତଥାପି ଗରୁଡ଼ ସ୍ତମ୍ଭଠାରୁ ଆମେ ଚକାଆଖି ଦେଖି ଆନନ୍ଦିତ ହୋଇଥିଲୁ୤ ଝିଅକୁ ଆମ ମନ୍ଦିର ବିଷୟରେ ଅନେକ କଥା ଜଣାଇବା ପରେ ସେ ଭିନ୍ନ ଭିନ୍ନ ଜିନିଷ ବିଷୟରେ ଜାଣିବାକୁ ଉତ୍ସାହ ଦେଖାଉଥିବା ଭଲ ଲାଗୁଥିଲା୤

ମନ୍ଦିର ବେଢ଼ାରେ ଥିବା କଳ୍ପବଟଗଛ, ସର୍ବତୀର୍ଥ ଆଦିର ପ୍ରଦକ୍ଷିଣ କରିବା ମନକୁ ଭକ୍ତିବିଭୋର କରି ଦେଇଥିଲା୤ ବିମଳା ମନ୍ଦିର ଭିତରେ ଯାଇ ଶଙ୍ଖା ଆଉ ସିନ୍ଦୁର କୋଡ଼ିଏ ଟଙ୍କାରେ କିଣିବାପରେ ମନ୍ଦିରର ପୂଜାରୀ ଆମକୁ ଭିତରକୁ ନେଇଯାଇ ପୂଜା କରିବା ପରେ ଦକ୍ଷିଣା ପାଇଁ କୌଣସି ପ୍ରକାର ଦାବୀ କରିନଥିଲେ, ଆମେ ନିଜ ସାମର୍ଥ୍ୟ ହିସାବରେ ଦକ୍ଷିଣା ଦେଇଥିଲୁ୤ ଏହାପରେ ମା ଲକ୍ଷ୍ମୀ ମନ୍ଦିରରେ ପଦ୍ମଫୁଲର ହାର ଚଢ଼ାଇବାପାଇଁ ମନ ବଳାଇବାପରେ ଦୁଇଟି ହାରକୁ କୋଡ଼ିଏ ଟଙ୍କାରେ କିଣି ପୂଜାରୀଙ୍କୁ ସମ ପରିମାଣର ଦକ୍ଷିଣା ଦେବାପରେ ସେ ହାର ଦୁଇଟିକୁ ନେଇ ମାଁଙ୍କ ଚରଣରେ ଦେଇ ଆସିଥିଲେ୤

ଏହାପରେ ଆମେ ପହଞ୍ଚିଥିଲୁ ଆନନ୍ଦ ବଜାରରେ୤ ସୂଚନାଯୋଗ୍ୟ ଯେ ମନ୍ଦିର ଭିତରେ ନିର୍ମାଣ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟ ହେତୁ ପ୍ରତିଦିନ ସକାଳ ଦଶଟାରୁ ଏଗାରଟା ଭିତରେ ଅବଢ଼ା ବାହାରିଯାଏ୤ କିନ୍ତୁ ଆମେ ପହଞ୍ଚିବା ବେଳକୁ ପାଞ୍ଚଟା ହୋଇ ସାରିଥିଲେ ସୁଦ୍ଧା ଭଲ ଅବଢ଼ା ପାଇଥିଲୁ୤ ବାସମତୀ ଚାଉଳର ଅନ୍ନ, ସାଙ୍ଗକୁ ବେସର, ମହୁର, ଆମ୍ବ ଆମ୍ବିଳ ଖଟା, କନିକା ମିଠା, ଡାଲି, ପେଡ଼ା ଆଦି ନେଇ ଆମେ ମନ୍ଦିରରୁ ଆନନ୍ଦରେ ବାହାରକୁ ଆସିଥିଲୁ୤ ଚାରିଜଣଙ୍କ ପାଇଁ ଏହି ସବୁ ଦ୍ରବ୍ୟର ମୂଲ୍ୟ ମାତ୍ର ସାଢ଼େ ଚାରିଶହ ଟଙ୍କା ଥିଲା୤ ଆମେ ଫେରିବା ପରେ ଶାଶୁଶଶୁର ମନ୍ଦିରଯାଇ ମହାପ୍ରଭୂଙ୍କ ଦର୍ଶନ ସାରିଦେଇ ବେଢ଼ା ବୁଲି ଆସିଥିଲେ୤ ସାଢ଼େ ପାଞ୍ଚଟା ବେଳକୁ ଆମେ ଭଲରେ ମହାପ୍ରଭୂଙ୍କ ଦର୍ଶନ ସାରିଦେଇ ଗୃହାଭିମୁଖ ହୋଇଥିଲୁ୤ ସାଥିରେ ଅବଢ଼ା ନେଇ ଆମେ ଗାଡ଼ି ରଖାଯାଉଥିବା ସ୍ଥାନକୁ ଫେରି ଆସିଥିଲୁ୤ ସେଇଠି କୌଣସି ଜାଗାରେ ବସି ଖାଇବା ସୁବିଧା ନଥିବା ହେତୁ ଆମେ ଗାଡ଼ି ନେଇ ଫେରି ଆସିଲୁ୤

ଫେରିବା ବେଳେ ଆମେ ପୁଣି ଜଗନ୍ନାଥ ସଡ଼କରେ ଯିବାପାଇଁ ଅନିଚ୍ଛା ପ୍ରକାଶ କରିଥିଲୁ, ଯେହେତୁ ରାସ୍ତା ଅନେକ ସ୍ଥାନରେ ଦୁର୍ବଳ ଥିଲା୤ ତେଣୁ ଆମେ ପୁରୀ ଭୁବନେଶ୍ବର ରାସ୍ତାରେ ବାହାରିଲୁ୤ ପୁରୀ ବାହାରେ ମାଳତୀପାଟପୁର ଠାରେ ନିର୍ମିତ ବସଟର୍ମିନାଲ ଦେଖିବାକୁ ଭବ୍ୟ ଓ ସୁନ୍ଦର ଥିଲା୤ ପୁରୀଠାରୁ ବାହାରିବାପରେ ଅନ୍ୟୁନ କୋଡ଼ିଏ କିଲୋମିଟର ଆସିବାପରେ ରାସ୍ତା ପାର୍ଶ୍ବରେ ଏକ ଯାତ୍ରୀ ବିଶ୍ରାମସ୍ଥଳୀଠାରେ ଗାଡ଼ି ଅଟକାଇ ଆମେ ଅବଢ଼ା ସେବନର ବ୍ୟବସ୍ଥା କରିଥିଲୁ୤ ସମସ୍ତେ ମନଭରି ଅବଢ଼ା ଖାଇବା ସତ୍ତ୍ବେ ଆହୁରି ଅନ୍ନ ଓ କାନିକା ବଳକା ରହିଯାଇଥିଲା୤ ସେସବୁକୁ ଭଲଭାବରେ ପ୍ୟାକ୍ କରିଦେଇ, ଆମେ ପୁଣି ଗାଡ଼ିନେଇ ବାହାରିଲୁ୤ ପୁରୀ ଭୁବନେଶ୍ବର ରାସ୍ତାରେ ଗାଡ଼ି ଚଳାଇବା ଏକ ଅନନ୍ୟ ଅନୁଭୂତି ଥିଲା୤ ଭୁବନେଶ୍ବର ମଧ୍ୟରେ କିନ୍ତୁ ଯାନବହୁଳତା ଏବଂ ଅନ୍ଧାର ହେତୁ ଗାଡ଼ି ଚଳାଇବା ବିରକ୍ତିକର ଅନୁଭବ ହୋଇଥିଲା୤ ତଥାପି ଆମେ ଭୁବନେଶ୍ବର ସହରକୁ ପଛରେ ଛାଡ଼ିଦେଇ ଆଗକୁ ଆସିବାକୁ ଅଧଘଣ୍ଟାରୁ ଅଧିକ ସମୟ ଲାଗିଗଲା୤

Me in photo, shot by Mamun

Me in photo, shot by Mamun

Me in photo, shot by Mamun

The silent visitor

Mamun with Aai

ଭୁବନେଶ୍ବର ପରେ ଖୋର୍ଦ୍ଧା ସହର ଆସିବା ପର୍ଯ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଆମେ ଜାଣିପାରିଲୁ ନାହିଁ୤ କେତେବେଳେ ଆମେ ଅନେକ ବାଟ ଚାଲି ଆସିଲୁ୤ ଏହାପରେ ଆମେ ପୁଣି ଗୋଟିଏ ଟୋଲ୍ ଗେଟ୍‌ରେ ପହଞ୍ଚିଲୁ୤ ବ୍ରହ୍ମପୁର ଓ ଭୁବନେଶ୍ବର ମଧ୍ୟରେ ତିନୋଟି ଟୋଲ୍ ଗେଟ୍ ରହିଛି ଏବଂ ଏଥିରୁ ଦୁଇଟି ସ୍ଥାନରେ ସେମାନେ ରସିଦ କାଟି ଅର୍ଥ ଆଦାୟ କରୁଥିବା ବେଳେ ତୃତୀୟଟି ବର୍ତ୍ତମାନ ବନ୍ଦ ରହିଛି୤ ଖୋର୍ଦ୍ଧା ପରବର୍ତ୍ତୀ ଟୋଲ୍ ଗେଟରେ ସତୁରୀ ଟଙ୍କାର ଦେୟ ଦେବାକୁ ପଡ଼େ୤ ଏହାପରେ ଆମେ ଗାଡ଼ି ନେଇ ଆଗକୁ ବଢ଼ିଲୁ୤ ସନ୍ଧ୍ୟା ପ୍ରାୟ ସାଢ଼େ ସାତଟା ବେଳକୁ ଆମେ ରାମେଶ୍ବରମ ଛକରେ ପହଞ୍ଚି କିଛି ସମୟ ପାଇଁ ବିଶ୍ରାମ ନେବାକୁ ଉଚିତ ମନେ କଲୁ୤ ଥଣ୍ଡାପାନୀୟ, ଚା ଆଦି ସରିବାପରେ ଆମେ ପୁଣି ଅନ୍ଧାରରେ ବ୍ରହ୍ମପୁର ଆଡ଼କୁ ବାହାରିଥିଲୁ୤

ଖୋର୍ଦ୍ଧାପରେ ପରେ ବାଲୁଗାଁ ପାଖାପାଖି ରାସ୍ତା ଗୁଡ଼ିକ ଖୋଳି ଦେଇଥିବା ହେତୁ ରାସ୍ତାରେ ଗାଡ଼ିକୁ ତୀବ୍ରବେଗରେ ଚଳାଇବା ସମ୍ଭବ ହୋଇନଥିଲା୤ ତଥାପି ବେଗକୁ ଅଧିକ ରଖି ଆମେ ରାତ୍ରୀ ଦଶଟା ପୂର୍ବରୁ ବ୍ରହ୍ମପୁରରେ ପହଞ୍ଚିଯାଇଥିଲୁ୤ ଯିବାବେଳେ ଯେତେ ସମୟ ଲାଗିଥିଲା ଫେରିବା ପାଇଁ ଉଣାଅଧିକେ ଠିକ୍ ସେତିକି ସମୟ ହିଁ ଲାଗିଥିଲା, କିନ୍ତୁ ରାସ୍ତା ସଫା ଥିବା ହେତୁ ପରିଶ୍ରମ ଲାଗିନଥିଲା୤

ସର୍ବୋପରି ପୁରୀ ଶ୍ରୀମନ୍ଦିରକୁ ଅନେକ ଦିନପରେ ଯାତ୍ରା ଆନନ୍ଦଦାୟକ ହୋଇଥିଲା୤ ମହାପ୍ରଭୂଙ୍କ ଦର୍ଶନ ଅତି ସହଜରେ ଓ ଅତି କମ ଗହଳିରେ ହୋଇପାରିଥିଲା୤ ଅଶୋକାଷ୍ଟମୀ ପରି ଦିନରେ ମହାପ୍ରଭୂଙ୍କ ଦର୍ଶନ ଓ ଅବଢ଼ା ସେବନ ଅତ୍ୟନ୍ତ ଆନନ୍ଦଦାୟକ ଥିଲା୤