My Orissa Tour

As I am travelling after a big gap, I was really looking forward to have this trip. It took me 24 hours to reach Bhuvaneshwar by Howrah Mail. In the onward journey, worthy things to mention are meeting ex-Captain Mr. Acharya, who shared his experience of visiting many parts of the world, starting of his own business etc etc.. Each one sitting near me came with too much luggage taking all available space. AC 3-tier journey was not too much tiring. This being a trip to attend my Colleague-cum-friend's marriage, I got a company of one N.Malini of DSQ software and her mother, who came in the same compartment to attend the same marriage. Malini left CTS and joined DSQ. People have different preferences. Her mother, eventhough not in our age group was able to give a very good company throughtout this trip. People have different talents.

First impression on getting down at Bhuvaneshwar station is "Good". The way the Bridegroom Sruti's brother's namaskar/vanakkam showed the rich culture. Lodge I stayed is okay. Breakfast is lousy.

Next day, myself, Malini, her mother, one Sarangi, Sruti's friend (Oriya guy) started for Konarak-Puri trip in the morning. On the way, we went to a hilly place, which is unreasonably calm filled with Buddha statues in different forms. Nice breeze made us think of spending the whole day there.

We left that place after 30 minutes, crossed a place Pipli where we can get handicrafts items. However, I did not got any interest of buying any of those. Reached Konarak around 11am. When we went near, we saw the stunning Sun Temple surrounded by a beautiful-well-maintained park. Greenery surrounding the brownish stone temple was very beautiful. Sculptures are simply great. Before we left this place, we bought some gift/memorable items. Presence of Sarangi and his skill in bargaining helped us buy lot of items for a cheaper price. In Orissa, we need skill to bargain, otherwise we would have been cheated. Car Driver's usage of horn irritiated too much.

We left for Puri from Konarak and the route is trafficless. Small but good road. Puri City's main road is too big but almost most of space are unutilised. Traffic Police wears white and white. I was not able to get the beautiful look of the Puri temple, which I was around 1 km away from the temple. Temple is purifying and spiritual, however the priest working there behaved like a way-side-robbery gang trying to get money from the piligrimists. They don't even allow people to put money in hundi/donation box. Statues were little bit strange by look compared to what we saw in normal temples. Big eyes. Statues were that of Lord Jaganathan, Lord Balaraman and Goddess Subathra.

We had time in the evening to fresh up and reach Sruti's house. Bridegrooms house has a panthal telling "Happy weds Iki". All of Oriya people have some nicknames other than the normal name. Sruti is called "Happy", his 1st brother "Bapi", 2nd brother "Lucky"!! Sruti was involved in make-up in Orissa style. Pyjamas have replaced dhoti-style marriage dresses. Special turban looked nice. Tiffin was served in Sweet-box type packets.

According to their tradition, the procession started towards bride's house, where marriage will happen. As the distance is much, we travelled by bus for 4kms after which the procession will start. Heavy rain came at this time and we got struck up in the bus for an hour. Then with dance by many oldees and few young ones, we reached the bride's house. Bridegroom came in well decorated Maruthi Esteem. Band Music, carrying of Electric lights, "Law Law Lay Law Law Law Law Lay Law Law" Oriya song accompanied the procession. They were lively. Electric lights were carried by few women and it was scary to see live wires across them. After Dinner, Marriage ceremony started. Most of the rituals are same as that of Tamilnadu. I even remember some of the mantras chanted. Few variations, Unlike the bride keeping her toe in the Ammi (one that is used to press things and make chatni), the bridegroom sits on the Ammi. Instead of Thaali, here bride/bridegrooms are tied symbolizing marriage has happened. At the time of this, bride/bridegroom wore crowns. Lucky left me in my lodge in the morning (around 3:30 pm). See above for Lucky definition.

Next day, we went to Bhuvaneshwar Nandan Kanan zoo. Had a glimpse of White Tigers, Lions, Feather opened white and normal peacock and more. Temperature is the only thing to curse there. For most of us, the interest never reduces watching Animals/Birds. We also went to Udayagiri and M...giri. Both are parallel to each other and they are nice to watch from opposite locations. Lot of Black moneys were present here. Next we went to Linga Raja temple. This itself houses 108 small & big temple inside its compound. The main temple must have taken generations to built, it was really AMAZING. The king that time, seem to have red painted the entire main temple to prevent crazy mughals destroying it. Recently the government had removed the red paiting bringing out the original marvelling stone colour. Finally, we went to a market place in Rajkamal road to buy gift/sweets.

My train ticket which remained in waiting list till the previous day of travel got confirmed that day morning and I reached Madras to my relief without problems. A very nice trip.