The Unforgettable Experiences of Odisha Have Infused Body and Soul with Vitality
--------------------------------------------------------------
Dinesh Kukreti
Regardless of its nature, travel infuses life with a sense of freshness. A journey connects us not merely with the geography of a region, but—while acquainting us with its history—it also points the way toward the future. Travel is both culture and a formative influence. Therefore, I view travel less as a mere recreational excursion and more as a school of life. Whenever I embark on a journey, my mind, too, transforms into a fellow traveler. It never allows me to feel the weight of fatigue; instead, acting as a guide, it doubles my joy, leaving me immersed in that experience for days on end. Consider this: the small heritage village of Raghurajpur in Odisha has so deeply permeated my inner consciousness that its people—their unwavering dedication to their folk heritage, and their ardent desire to connect future generations with their traditions—have become the very subject of my dreams these days. Even while I am wide awake, their *Pattachitra* paintings seem to float before my eyes.
A traditional welcome instantly dispelled the day's fatigue
-------------------------------------------------------------
Raghurajpur village, located in the Puri district of Odisha, is recognized as the country's first heritage craft village. I was fortunate to visit this village with the support of PIB Dehradun. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting organized a 13-member media study team from Uttarakhand to visit Odisha from March 22nd to 25th. The team leader was Sanjeev Sundriyal, Assistant Director of PIB Dehradun. Sanjeev is a simple, gentle, and very friendly person. Obviously, this trip with him was bound to be memorable. We departed for Delhi on March 22nd at 9:35 am on an Indigo flight. The flight from there to Bhubaneswar was scheduled for 4:30 pm, but due to a delay, we departed for Bhubaneswar at 6:30 pm. Anyway, we arrived around 8:30 pm. The fatigue was considerable, but was instantly dispelled by the traditional welcome at Hotel Green Palace. After some time we had our meal and then headed towards our respective rooms.
The Unique Fascination of the Konark Sun Temple
-------------------------------------------------------------
Our schedule was quite hectic, beginning on the morning of March 23rd with a semi-circumambulation of the historic city of Bhubaneswar and then our departure to the Konark Temple. This temple was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984. Built in the 13th century (1250 AD) by King Narasimha Deva I of the Eastern Ganga Dynasty at the mouth of the Chandrabhaga River, this temple is dedicated to the Sun. Built in the traditional Kalinga style, measuring 865 feet long and 540 feet wide, the temple is designed to receive the first rays of the sun. This unique design includes 12 pairs of exquisite stone wheels and seven horses, representing the movement of the sun in the sky. Due to the temple's dark color, it is also known as the Black Pagoda (Pagoda). This was my first opportunity to see the temple up close, so my excitement knew no bounds. Somehow I was trying to control myself, but time has its own constraints and we had to move towards the next stop, hence, keeping all the excitement and happiness in my heart, I bid farewell to this holy land of the Sun.
For the first time, I saw a village that preserves traditions.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Our next stop was Raghurajpur village. Located about 12 kilometers from the center of Puri city, this village is recognized as the country's first heritage craft village. There are 12 temples in the center of the village, flanked on either side by approximately 160 houses. Although we didn't get a chance to spend much time in the village, it quickly won me over. It's like an art laboratory. You could even call it an open-air art gallery. The walls of the houses are adorned with murals, and on every door frame, imaginations take shape in clay, stone, wood, coconut shells, betel nuts, glass bottles, cotton and silk fabrics, and paper. Simple, genuine people. No pretense, no artistry. They greet us with warmth and converse with us with a sense of belonging. People from all over the country, and even abroad, come to him to learn the intricacies of Pattachitra (palm leaf painting). I have never encountered a master like him.
Dedication to Art, Preservation of Culture
-------------------------------------------------------------
The Pattachitra art of Raghurajpur embodies the culture of Puri. When the throne of the Trimurti in the Puri Jagannath Temple is vacant, the golden-colored Pattachitra paintings of Raghurajpur are worshipped. This happens when Lord Jagannath enters the bathing pavilion to bathe in 108 water-filled pots or falls ill. Generations of artists from this village have been practicing this ceremonial painting style. I can confidently say that such dedication to art is rarely seen anywhere else.
Passing through Chandrabhaga Beach
-------------------------------------------------------------
...And yes! I forgot to include an important link in this journey. This link connects the Konark Sun Temple to Raghurajpur village via Chandrabhaga Beach. Chandrabhaga Sea Beach, located on the Puri-Konak Marine Drive, is just three km away from the Konak Sun Temple. This is the only beach in the country which has received the Blue Flag certification on World Environment Day. Its distance from Puri is 33 km and from Bhubaneswar is 65 km. The dense forest spread on both sides of this entire route captivates the mind. When our driver Kanha told me that this is a cashew forest, I was mesmerized. Apart from this, rows of tall coconut trees and dense thickets of banana trees seem to adorn the route.
Paying homage to the luminaries of Raghurajpur
-------------------------------------------------------------
Well! Enjoying our journey, it was already late in the evening when we arrived in Raghurajpur, and we still had to reach Puri. So, without delay, we began gathering information about the village, its art, and its artists. As we entered the village, we noticed three statues on the right. Pattachitra artist Basant Kumar Maharana explained that it was thanks to these three luminaries that the village gained national and international recognition. These luminaries include renowned Pattachitra artist Shilpguru Padma Bhushan Dr. Jagannath Mahapatra, Odissi dance guru Padma Shri Kelucharan Mahapatra, and Padma Shri Maguni Charan Das. On our way back, we paid homage to these three luminaries and then headed for Puri.
The holy shrine of Puri, where Lord Jagannath resides with his brothers and sisters
-------------------------------------------------------------
Puri is the holy shrine of Lord Jagannath. Located in the eastern part of the country, this shrine is considered one of the four Vaishnavite shrines established by Adi Shankaracharya. The other three shrines are Rameshwaram in the south (Tamil Nadu), Dwarka in the west (Maharashtra), and Badrinath in the north (Uttarakhand). When we arrived in Puri, it was already dusk. We parked our vehicles in the parking lot and boarded a Toto to reach the temple. This service is free. It took us about ten minutes to reach the temple. Crowds filled the entire complex, with around 30,000 people. However, locals said the crowds were small and we would easily gain entry. Anyway, after storing our shoes in a locker, we entered the temple complex through the main gate, passing through the search process with the help of a strong local contact. Once inside, we learned it was time for the Lord's offering. We would be able to see him in 45 minutes. Thousands of people were waiting in line for darshan, and I was sweating profusely. The contact informed us that we didn't have to go through the main line; there was a VIP entry system for us.
We were separated from our companions, but then reunited.
-------------------------------------------------------------
After the offering, when we reached the VIP gate, at least 30 people were standing ahead of us. There must have been about 1,500 people in line behind us. Pushing each other, we somehow managed to enter the temple. There wasn't even enough space in the assembly hall. The crowd was so intense that despite our best efforts, our companions got separated from each other. When we emerged from the darshan, we were only seven, while 16 had entered the temple for darshan. As a result, it took us an hour to gather together, and we arrived back at our hotel in Bhubaneswar around 11:30 pm.
A warm welcome at the Central Rice Research Institute in Cuttack
-------------------------------------------------------------
The second day was also packed with activities. Our first meeting was with Odisha Governor Dr. Hari Babu Kambhampati at the Raj Bhavan. We had a long discussion on development plans, followed by a question-and-answer session. Tea was sipped, and it was already 12 noon. We now had to arrive at the Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI) in Bidyadharpur, Cuttack. This institute was established on April 23, 1946. It is located 35 km from Bhubaneswar's Biju Patnaik Airport and seven km from Cuttack Railway Station. CRRI focuses on finding ways to grow more rice, make farming easier for farmers, and help the environment. It also works with other research centers in different parts of the country to improve and make rice farming more productive. Upon arrival, the institute's director, Dr. Hemant Kumar Bhattacharya, and his team welcomed us very warmly.
A Delightful Feast, Informative Discussions
-------------------------------------------------------------
We first had a hearty meal that was a delight to both body and mind. I still can't forget the taste of half a dozen vegetables, raita, kheer, roti, fragrant rice, pigeon pea dal, and Odisha's famous traditional sweet, chhena poda (chhena cake). Afterward, a discussion was held, where we learned a lot about the institute. We were told that the institute has so far developed 194 varieties of rice. These varieties are used in approximately 22 percent of the country's total rice area, including our own Uttarakhand. Now it was time to tour the institute campus, which spans 60 hectares of experimental agricultural land. We were provided with totos for this purpose. We all enjoyed coconut water on our way back. It was already quite late, and most of us were eager to visit Puri Beach (Golden Beach). So, it was decided that those who didn't want to go could return to the hotel in a car. The rest of the team would go to Puri Beach in the remaining three cars.
Puri's Golden Beach, a Feeling of Another World
-------------------------------------------------------------
I had to go, so I wasted no time and boarded the car. We headed for Puri Beach in three cars. It was past three in the afternoon, and the sun was slowly setting. Odisha is an eastern state, so darkness sets early there, just as dawn breaks early. But who cared about all this when we wanted to be close to the sea? Puri Beach is unique in itself. This beach is known for the roaring waves of the Bay of Bengal and its fine golden sand, hence its name, Golden Beach. Jagannath Dham is just two kilometers away. This is a stunning beach, from where the sunset and sunrise are a sight to behold. When we arrived, darkness had fallen. The entire beach was bathed in colorful electric lights. There were huge crowds of tourists, and it felt like we had entered another world. The ocean was nearby, but we couldn't see it, thanks to the wall along the highway.
The mesmerizing glow of the waves in the dim light
-------------------------------------------------------------
Our anxiety was growing, so as soon as we got out of the car, we headed straight for the beach. It's a very long and wide beach. Despite the dim light, the sparkle of the sand was clearly visible. The waves rapidly approaching from a distance created a strange hypnotism. The sea here is very deep, and the slightest misstep can engulf us, so we didn't venture too far into the water. Had it been daytime, we would have frolicked in the waves for a while. Anyway, it was getting late, so we left the beach and headed for our destination, Bhubaneswar. Meanwhile, we had received information on social media that our friend, Sheeshpal Singh Gusain, was being awarded the 2025 Sahitya Gaurav Samman by the Uttarakhand Bhasha Sansthan. The award would be presented at a ceremony in the temporary capital, Dehradun, on March 30th. This news doubled our joy. The distance from Golden Beach to Bhubaneswar is 61 km, so it took us two and a half hours to reach the hotel, where Shishpal Bhai was waiting for us.
Visit CIFA, a unique world of fish
-----------------------------------------------------------
March 25, the last day of our Odisha trip. The day began with breakfast as usual, and at 9:15 we departed for the Central Freshwater Aquaculture Research Institute (CIFA). This is a premier research institute on freshwater aquaculture, spread over 147 hectares in Cuttack district, Odisha. This model is playing a key role in establishing Odisha as one of the leading fish-producing states in the country. The Institute's Director, Dr. Pramod Kumar Sahu, explained that the technologies developed by the Institute are capable of producing higher fish at lower costs and can be adopted in various geographical regions of the country. An important aspect of our visit was a comparative study of the fish farming models of Odisha and Uttarakhand. While Odisha has large-scale warm-water aquaculture and is leading in production, Uttarakhand is rapidly developing quality-based aquaculture through high-value cold-water fish, especially trout. During this time, we also learned a lot about the Blue Economy. Blue Economy means the sustainable and efficient use of marine resources, which can transform the country.
A Memorable Trip to Paradip
-----------------------------------------------------------
We now had to proceed to Paradip, the final stop of our journey. We politely declined Dr. Sahu's request for lunch and departed. The road to Paradip is quite difficult. The highway is crippled with frequent roadblocks, preventing speeds. It took us over three and a half hours to cover the 120 km journey. It was already three in the afternoon, and our stomachs were rumbling. So, we decided it was best to eat first and headed for a hotel. The food was delicious, so we spared no effort to fill our stomachs. Without wasting any time, we headed for Gate No. 4 of the port. Five minutes later, the sea became visible, eerily calm and serene. Several ships were anchored in this deep-water harbor. Seeing this sight, I naturally began to delve into Paradip's history. I already knew a lot, but Google and AI helped me learn a lot more.
A Living Story of the Nation's Maritime Glory and Development
-----------------------------------------------------------
Located at the confluence of the Mahanadi River and the Bay of Bengal in the Jagajitsinghpur district of Odisha, Paradip is not merely an industrial town or port, but a living story of the nation's maritime glory and development. Established in 1966, it is an important port on the east coast, primarily known for the export of iron ore, thermal coal, and other dry cargo. In ancient times, sailors from Odisha (Kalinga) used to sail their ships from this coast to distant Southeast Asian countries such as Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and Bali. The foundation stone of the port was laid on January 3, 1962, by the then Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. On January 1, 1965, the Central Government took over its management from the Odisha Government. On April 18, 1966, it was declared the eighth major port of the country. The then Chief Minister of Odisha, Biju Patnaik, played a key role in its establishment. It is the first major port to operate on the east coast after independence. Interestingly, this port is built on an artificial harbour.
Steamer Ride, Deep-Sea Journey
-----------------------------------------------------------
Well! There's a lot to say, but the bottom line is that we had to take a steamer ride. So, we reached the other side of the sea. A steamer was heading towards us from a distance. As soon as it touched the shore, we boarded it one by one and set off on a sea voyage. The pilot told us that the sea here was 18 meters deep. We had been in the sea for about 20 minutes. The sun was setting, and we still had to reach the Paradip Port Authority office to learn about the port, its business, and future plans. The Authority's Deputy Chairman, T. Venugopal, told us that through the coordinated efforts of the central and state governments, this port has developed into a vital lifeline of the country's economy. He also explained that as part of the Green Initiative, environmental protection has been prioritized by planting nearly 600,000 trees in the area. We saw a glimpse of this in the lush greenery that spread across the Authority's premises. Looking at it, the heart becomes filled with joy as far as the eye can see.
We came from the land of the Ganges, and we had to meet the sea.
-----------------------------------------------------------
After bidding farewell, all of us were eager to go to the beach. We came from the land of the Ganges, and we had to meet the sea. However, being primarily a port city, Paradip doesn't have many developed and touristy beaches like Goa or Puri. The beaches here are relatively quiet, natural, and less crowded. The most famous and main beach here is located at the confluence of the Mahanadi River and the Bay of Bengal. This beach is known for its golden sands, clear blue waters, expansive coastline, and towering cliffs, located about three kilometers from the port. Located in a tranquil atmosphere and bordered by lush green forests, tourists come to this beach to stroll, take photos, and relax. We also spent some time soaking in the waves. We were tempted to take a dip, but time didn't permit. We had to reach Bhubaneswar quickly and prepare for our return journey. Some of our friends had plans to go shopping, so after bidding farewell to the approaching waves of the sea, we set off for Bhubaneswar.
Arriving in Dehradun with fond memories
----------------------------------------------------------
On March 26th, we were to return directly to Dehradun on a 6:20 AM flight. So, we arrived at the hotel around 10:30 PM, had dinner, and retired to our rooms. We woke up at exactly 2:45 AM during the Brahmamuhurta (dawn). We quickly freshened up, got ready, and headed to the reception. By 4:30 PM, all our colleagues had gathered there. Four cars had also arrived to take us to the airport. We left for Biju Patnaik Airport at exactly 5 PM and arrived within 20 minutes. After completing all the procedures in about 20 minutes, we boarded the Indigo flight. The plane left the runway on time, and at exactly 8:30 AM, we were at Dehradun Airport in Jolly Grant. Four PIB cars from Dehradun had arrived to pick us up. Sanjeev Bhai insisted that we leave for our destinations only after breakfast. I was already hungry, so refusing was not wise, at least not for me. After breakfast at the PIB office, Sanjeev Bhai presented us with mementos and sent us off to our respective destinations.
- होली का गढ़वाल जैसा आध्यात्मिक रूप कहीं नहीं
- राजवंशों के दौर में लोक का संदेशवाहक रहा है धतिया नगाड़ा
- गगवाड़स्यूं घाटी में छह माह चलने वाला दुनिया का अनूठा उत्सव तमलाग का मौरी मेला
- लोक के सामूहिक आनंद का उत्सव माघ मरोज
- यहां विराजते हैं प्रथम बदरी, मन मोह लेता है यह धाम
- अनूठा और विलक्षण है उत्तराखंड का पंडौं नृत्य
- किताबों की दुनिया
- बर्फ की चादर ओढे हैं हिमालय के चारधाम
- रंगोत्सव
- फूल संगरांद
- क्या ऐसे भी कोई जाता है
- नानी
- ऐसी थी मेरी नानी
- उमस भरी रातें
- शरारती बचपन
- नेगीदा के साथ एक दिन
- पत्थरों की बारिश
- अमीन की खटिया (भाग-1)
- अमीन की खटिया (भाग-2)
- अमीन की खटिया (भाग-3)
- कच्चेे नारियल (भाग-1)
- कच्चे नारियल (भाग-2)
- ऐतिहासिक लालपुल
- वनवास, जो जारी है
- सुनहरे दिन
- किताबों ने बदल दी जीवन की धारा
- अग्निदीक्षा
- किताबों की बातें
- यादगार जन्मदिन
