Weekly Village market in Koraput

I remember, almost two decades ago when I used to visit the local weekly market with my father to get fresh vegetables directly from farmers. I did experience these kind of markets mostly in coastal Odisha, but this time I was in Koraput (Koraput is the Southern most district of Odisha) and fortunately landed in a weekly market for work. This market was so different and lively that the experience is indescribable. Tribals are very happy and fun loving innocent people. And not to surprise me, they were so friendly that I did spend 2+ hours roaming around and speaking to people and clicking there portraits (Will pen down those stories here).

More portraits and happy faces to follow soon :)

Travel: Gopalpur on Sea, Odisha

I always did regret that I could not explore my home state Odisha much. Average one visit to home town almost every month and still did get enough time to explore places around, but this August was different. Three new places and 2 of them were less explored was like an unexpected lottery.

Putting them in three different posts (mostly as photo features) and starting with Gopalpur-on-Sea :)

Visited this place 2-3 times earlier but never experienced the Sun-Rise... So this time, the early morning stroll on the beach with a camera in hand was just perfect.

A panoramic view of the Gopalpur beach...

Early morning stroll...

How to Reach: Gopalpur is only 170 kms away from Bhubaneswar and is well connected by Rail and Road. NH5 is at it's best and barely takes 2 and 1/2 hours to be there. And this place is 16 kms away from Berhampur city. The nearest railway station is also Berhampur and has good connectivity from the state capital as well as from Vizag (Andhra Pradesh).

Where to Stay: Gopalpur offers a variety of places to stay. OTDC PanthaNiwas is something I will suggest to contribute to the governments efforts. It has 4 independent cottages and AC and Non-AC rooms with dining facility. Mayfair and Swosti are there for Luxury. All these are on the beach and have brilliant views.

What not to miss: The sea at Gopalpur is quite violent in compared to other beaches in Odisha and watching the Sun-Rise is a pleasant experience along with an early morning stroll.
What to Eat: If you are a foodie, then berhampur is the place you should go to have a different culinary experience. 15-16 kilometers is hardly a distance to have some good food. I personally had been to 'Girija Restaurant' and not to mention the butter chicken they make is an absolute delight to have with Stuffed Bread. And so is their Chicken Pakora. Though this place lacks a bit on cleanliness but the taste is guaranteed. Berhaupur city also has many famous South-Indian food joints to offer a great breakfast experience.

Renault Duster

Duster is definitely photogenic...

Travel: The Leaning Temple of Huma

Huma Temple, famously known as 'Huma Bakra Mandira (Leaning Temple of Huma)' is the abode of lord Shiva who is being worshiped here as 'Lord Vimaleshwara'. 23 kilometers away from Sambalpur city, the drive does show you a beautiful rustic view of typical Odia country side and farm lands.

The temple is not that big or that old. There are two contradictions regarding the construction period of the temple. According to some it was built in 17th century, where as some documents say it was built in last quarter of 19th century.

The most wonderful thing about the temple is, it is significantly leaned towards the North-East side. It is quite strange. And at the same time the other small small temple structures inside the campus are also tilted to different different sides. The inclination also has come controversy. Some researchers believe that the temple is leaned because of the movement of the foundation stone due to heavy floods and according to some, it was the idea of the designer or architect to protect the structure from the heavy current of flood water of Mahanadi as the temple is inclined opposite to the flow of water. Very interesting, is not it!

What NOT to miss!
- If you are visiting the place, do spend little time inside the campus and try to read the architecture and inclinations.
- Even the boundary walls are inclined.
- Do visit through the rear gate of the campus towards the rocky river bed. Sin on the concrete steps and soak your legs with chilled water of River Mahanadi. There are very interesting and big big red colored fishes with some mythological importance. So people do feed them with some special food available there.
- You can take a small boat ride also in Mahanadi.

Sambalpur: My First Visit

My first ever visit to this part of Odisha as a visitor, though I did cross it numerous times but never stopped. But am I impressed! It is hard to say as I did spend a very little time but no doubt, there are many interesting places around. Will post a few sometime soon.

And any guess on the image you are seeing here!! Any coastal guy who has never visited the northern side of Odisha may get a shock. It is river 'Mahanadi' flowing over a rocky bed beside the hills creating a mesmerizing view. I can't imagine the beauty of the place in winter or just after the first rain, at the same time the scenario in Rain also do scare me. Nothing can be more destructive when this river flows in full swing after heavy rains in upper region.

Mangalajodi at a Glance

My first ever experience of bird watching and photography experience. Will put some more details on the place soon.

The making of 'GOD'

Is this devotion or should I call it 'Romance with Stone'!!!

Adding life to Stones

A stone carver busy in adding life to a piece of stone somewhere in the outskirts of the City of Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

P.S. Keep your eye on this place for a detailed story and loads of photographs.

Beautiful Bhubaneswar

After half a decade, 'm seeing my home town properly... I mean, 'm seeing it with loads of leisure time without any time constraints. This is actually happening almost after a decade, when we (a bunch of guyz :D) left school and joined college.

Some glimpses of the Capital City of Odisha state, the Temple Town... Bhubaneswar.


Lingaraj Temple


Dhauli Giri, The Peace Pagoda

Bike Side of Life...

Some old memories with my cousin's creation 'Storm' back home.... This photograph was shot in the outskirts of Bhubaneswar long long back, which used to be our weekend hang-out place during college days, far away from the hustle-bustle of city life... Deras in Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary.
This single seated SHOW STOPPER can force you to fall in love with it, which served me every time when ever I was there in the city. And I made it sure every time, the kilometers clocked over my week long stay should more than what my brother clocked during my absence ;) Roughly 6 months of his ride was always less than my riding in 7-10 days... I really do wonder, he (also a bike freak) was riding less or me riding more!!!

Ride Hard, Ride Safe.

Biker by Choice

I was wondering since many days that what 'm I missing the most!!! After banging my head after a long time I got myself an answer..... BIKES



This image was shot during first grand meet of 'Bhubaneswar Bikers' and it was a real pleasure to eyes to see the thing that I once dreamed during 2002. BBC (Bhubaneswar Bikers Club) never came out in reality during my whole stay in Orissa but I returned with a big grin from the meet when I was there in Bhubaneswar recently and I was quite happy to see the growth of Biker Breed in my hometown.

Ride SAFE, Ride HARD....

My state, 'Orissa'

The greenery, the farmers, the simple innocent people, those historic Temples, those virgin sea-beaches, those river-beds, the sea-food, those short outing with pals, those festivals, the culture, the tradition, the villages, the Rain, the Summer and that fresh smell of Earth..... I do miss my state, I miss ODISHA.