A Thought Provoking Sunset and a memorable experience at the mighty Mahanadi, Chhattisgarh-A Photo Essay

Spellbinding-Standing on the banks of the Mahanadi in Chhattisgarh

There are some moments in time that remain etched in our memories  forever. Thats  probably because they have touched our minds and hearts deep within and stayed right there. In this Photo essay, I'm going to share a series of exactly such moments with you and hope that you can feel some of that same emotion. 

During my recent trip to Chhattisgarh as a part of the #TWC2015 I had an opportunity to stand on the banks of the Mahanadi and it was one of the most profound experiences of my life. It may have lasted for a total of just about 20 minutes but stays in my heart forever.

 

En Route -Passing through the Shiva temple 


 The Mahananadi river  is truly the life line of Chattisgarh. Flowing from the Eastern Ghats to the Bay of Bengal through Cuttack, in Odisha and into the highlands of Chattisgarh, it flows through Odisha to reach The Bay Of Bengal.

Like all other rivers, the Mahanadi too is a revered one. It plays a major role in people's life and is part of all the major religious functions and festivals.It's water is considered to be highly auspicious for any occasion - and it is believed that this water has miraculous powers and can easily convert bad things or situations into into good ones.Rising from Central Chattisgarh, it passes through Eastern Ghats Mountains and ends at Bay Of Bengal, near Cuttack, Orissa. It forms a Delta at the Bay of Bengal. The Mahanadi's catchment area is estimated at 113,440 square kilometers. In the rainy season it carries an immense amount of water, up to 51,000 cubic meters per second especially at at the Naraj gorge.As the river flows at high speed, the Rivers Tel and Hasdo contribute as the main tributaries to the Mahanadi River. The Hirakund Dam, the world's highest dam is constructed on Mahanadi. There is a high Gandhi Tower for the introspection of the Dam and the drainage of the Mahanadi is shared by the Maharashtra, Chattisgarh, Jharkhand and Orissa.

The iconic Shiva Temple

When we arrived, the birds were chirping and the sun was just about to set.The sky was a painter's delight and it got better as the time slowly ticked on. 

Watching the people closer to shore

There were a few men at the river bank and looking closer, I saw that most of them were 'Kavariyas'( those who carry holy water from the rivers to the cities.) 

  After having collected that water from the river the Kawariyas made their way back to the Shiva temple. Chanting 'Bol Bam' over and over again in honour of Lord Shiva, they moved in complete synchronicity and effortlessly climbed up the steps past where I was standing..

Moving towards the temple

And closer 

Just past me 

Almost at the gate of the Shiva temple

And they are inside 

I stood there for a few more minutes, loath to leave

Then it was  time.

We had to move on to our next destination and the journey continued.

But this was truly an unforgettable moment in time.

Enigmatic Chhattisgarh. Decoded -My magical journey into the heartland of India

Green, red, mysterious and magical- Chhattisgarh in the monsoon

Its been a while since my last post and for those of you who have been wondering, I've just returned from an unforgettable 6 day trip to enigmatic Chhattisgarh in the heart of India. Ever since my return, I find myself thinking incessantly of the magical journey that took me into fairly unchartered territory including the Bastar region and brought me back a changed person.

Changed? I could confidently say, for the better. For one, I've eaten my first meal of rice, daal, and 'aamat' cooked by a lovely little old Bastar lady with my hands. I've also travelled and made lifelong friends with a wonderful group of people,  many of whom I met for the very first time on Day 1 of the trip.

I also forgot what 'elevenses' are and happily went without that eleven o clock 'must have' cup of coffee ( until it was available- sometimes over three hours later- because we were on the road and it really wasnt possible to stop the convoy to grab that increasingly elusive cuppa)

Almost, but not quite- Touching the sky

But lets start at the very begining. My trip to Chhattisgarh materialised purely by virtue of the fact that I chose to join #TWC2015, ( Travel Wizards Club 2015) Started recently by Shraddha Gupta an avid traveller and blogger of Street Trotter.com a Boston based travel fashion and lifestyle blog, it  is a wonderful forum to meet and bond with like minded people. 

After the first meet, 12 lucky bloggers had a lifetime's opportunity to travel to Chhattisgarh as guests of the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board 

http://www.chhattisgarhtourism.net/

to witness 'Monsoon Magic' and to my utter delight, I learnt that I was one of them.

Having recently moved back to India after 24 years in Muscat, Oman, I must admit, it presented a wonderful opportunity to visit and discover completely unknown terrain( in my book) and a few days and a whole lot of generous family adjustments later, I found myself on a Raipur bound flight with a few of the others and that was the start of one of my best travel adventures till date!

From having the most delicious lunch at Kanker Palace to walking in the footsteps of Hsuan Tsang and more recently, the Dalai Lama, a stay in luxurious tents at the Chitrakote falls, India's Mini Niagara followed by the totally awesome and thunderously cascading Tiratgarh Falls, a hugely thought provoking sunset on the banks of the Mahanadi and those great meals served at each of the resorts we stayed at, we really couldn't have packed in more than we actually did over those unforgettable 6 days.  

Lunch at the Kanker Palace, Chhattisgarh

Some glimpses for you..

The memorable long walk towards the Chitrakote Falls

Chitrakote Falls- The mini Niagara of India

Green, clean, lush  and beautiful

Served up with love - My very first tribal lunch in the heart of Bastar

Standing in front of  the majestic Tirathgarh waterfalls

Bright, colourful and very approachable- Tribal women of Chhattisgarh

Looking back, looking forward -in the jungle

Of course, there is a whole lot more. 

My top of mind  thought- something on the lines of more than can actually  be put in words because it is the feeling and the experience that has imprinted itself on my mind.

But I'm sure as hell going to try, so do watch this space for more.

And maybe..

 Just maybe...

That would actually be enigmatic Chhattisgarh decoded....

The descent -Back to New Delhi with a treasure trove of memories