We had a big surprise the afternoon we landed at BBSR airport. It was pouring like crazy and we heard from local people that it was cyclone effect and the weather is gonna be that way for another week. We were heart broken and thought there goes our trip. But on second thought we decided we are gonna enjoy our trip come what may. We wouldn't let rain to dampen our spirit. We had our vehicle waiting for us at the airport and we headed towards Puri.
Puri is about 60km from BBSR, which is an hour drive. Since it was pouring like crazy and the roads were filled with water we took more than a hour to reach Puri. Once we checked into our hotel and freshened up we went to visit Jaganath temple. We had to park our vehicle about a km from the temple since the vehicles are not allowed close to temple premises. We walked in the rain itself. Once we reached temple premises we learned that cell phone, cameras and leather belts are not allowed into the temple. But there are stands outside the temple where you can deposit your belongings. But its better you don't carry them. Also only Hindus are allowed in the temple but there is no dress code as such.
Jaganath temple is one of the char dhamas one has to visit in life. As expected the temple was overly crowded and people were pushing each other. But we managed to get a good darshan. Beware of the priests in the temple since they demand money for everything, they try to con you a lot. So don't encourage them for anything at all. The idols in the temple is very very different from the ones I have seen in my life. Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra are the 3 idols you will find instilled in the temple and they are made out of wood. Sadly the temple is not well maintained and it stinks a lot. Since it was raining and dark we couldn't really have a look at the architecture of the temple, we decided to return back early morning next day. We were hoping very badly that next day weather would turn out to be better. We woke up at 5:00AM next day so that we could go to Puri beach and see the sunrise but as luck turned out it was still raining and cloudy. We decided to go to temple instead. We hired a cycle rickshaw to go to temple. We enjoyed the cycle ride in such lovely weather. After the darshan at the temple we spent some time admiring the temple architecture. Luckily it has stopped raining by now and the Sun was out.For the rest of our trip the weather was with us.
Jaganath Temple, Puri
There is something one should know about the Orissa style of architecture. It is very distinct from the South Indian style. The generic name of the Orissa temples is deul, which has in its front a square building or assembly hall called jagamohan, which corresponds to the mandapa. These two edifices combine to form the essentials of an Orissan temple. Later other structures like the Nat-Mandir or Dancing Hall and Bhog Mandir or Hall of Offerings were added to the temple structure. The lower and the upright portion of the deul is called the bada, the tall middle portion is called chhapra, the flat fluted disc at the summit is called amla and its finial is called kalasa.
We later headed to Chilka lake which is about 50km from Puri. Chilka lake is a water lagoon spread on the east coast of India at the mouth of the Daya River, flowing into the Bay Of Bengal. It is the largest coastal lagoon in India and the second largest lagoon in the World. The lake is home for number of species for plants and animals. We took a 4hr boat ride in the lake and we could see lot of birds and Dolphins. The boat will also stop on a island on the lake where you get good sea food. We also saw fishermen selling pearls and corals straight out of the oyster and corals . I bought some corals and pearls too :). But bargain as much as you can. There is also provision to camp on chilka lake.
Chilka lake
After lunch at Chilka lake we headed Konark Sun temple which is about 80km from here and 30km from Puri. The marine drive is along the Bay Of Bengal and one is sure to enjoy it. Sun temple is also known as black Pagoda. The temple is in the form of the chariot of Sun. The entire temple designed in the form of a huge chariot drawn by seven spirited horses on twelve pairs of exquisitely decorated wheels.The entrance is guarded by two giant lions, which are each shown crushing a war elephant. Each elephant in turn lies on top of a human body. There are no words to describe the architecture of this temple. It is just magnificent and one has to witness in their life time.There ended our long day and we headed back to Puri.
Sun temple, Konark
Again next day we woke up at 5:00AM and headed to beach to see sunrise but we couldn't witness the Sunrise as it was cloudy but we witnessed fishermen heading into the see and vanishing behind the waves. After this we left to BBSR. On the way to BBSR there is a small village called Raghurajpur which has a community of artisans, who produce different varieties of handicrafts items such as Patachitras, Talapatachitra or palm leaf engravings. Depending on the intricacies of work done the arts are priced but there is still scope for bargaining. Here is the contact number and email ID of one such art seller M: +91-9937810487 ID: dedicatedtopeople@yahoo.co.in . There is one more small town on the way to BBSR called Pipli where you get colorful and beautiful chandua handy crafts. Both the above mentioned places are a must stopover for art lovers.
Patachitras
Appro 8km from BBSR is Dhauli hill which is situated near Daya river. Dhauli hill holds the distinction of being the place where Emperor Ashoka renounced war and embraced Buddhism. There is a Shanti Stupa situated here which is also known as Peace Pagoda.
After this we went to Lingaraj temple. This temple is well preserved and you can observe the Orissa style of architecture very keenly. Again cell phone, cameras and leather belts are not allowed in the temple.
Next we headed to Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves which are partly natural and partly artificial caves . There are total of 35 caves in both hills.
We checked into our hotel after this and freshened up. It was time for shopping and we went to the city market to shop for Orissa cotton sarees, after which we retired to our hotel.
The next day which was our last day of the trip we decided to cover Mukteshwar temple and Rajarani temple. These temples are very well maintained and one can cherish the Orissa style of architecture here.
The Orissan temples are divided into three groups: (a) Early Period (c.750-900 A.D.) e.g. Parashurameshwar and Lakshmanesvara temples at Bhubaneshwar, (b) Middle Period (c.900-1100 A.D.) e.g. Mukteshwara and Lingaraja temple at Bhubaneshwar and Jagannath temple at Puri and (c) Later Period (c.1100-1250 A.D.) e.g. Raja Rani Temple at Bhubaneshwar and the Sun Temple at Konark. The main group of temples is concentrated in Bhubaneshwar, which is known as the "Temple City of India".
Here ends one more eventful trip. Last but not the least we had a chance to talk to Irfan pathan as he was in the same flight :)))
