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Ruchira takes us on a tour of Puri, exclusively for Different Truths.
“Time writes no wrinkles on thy azure brow” ~ Byron
During one summer vacation, when I was out of school, the paterfamilias took us on a holiday to the seaside town of Puri (aka Jagannath Dham or Srikshestra). An overnight train journey from Kolkata brought us to this famous town. We were in June, the peak of summer. The sun was blazing; however to feel the salty sea air blowing on our faces was so refreshing.
The vast undulating seaside or beach, call it what you will, is the nerve centre of Puri, the heart of town.
The vast undulating seaside or beach, call it what you will, is the nerve centre of Puri, the heart of town. Hotels, shops and other utilities jostled with each other for
Though we had happened to check into moderate hotel without prior booking, yet we fortunately got a large, spacious, well-ventilated room – can you believe it – overlooking the sea! To a dreamy adolescent like me it was the last word in luxury! From the windows we could see the surf and spray keeping the sands constantly wet; the roar of the ocean, a tad monotonous, was a new experience for one’s ears.
The sky above was like a huge canvas splayed with a motley of colours – red, orange, pink, magenta, and molten gold. The sea lay sprawled – a gigantic creature, restless and violent…
After the day’s heat had subsided, we made a beeline to the beach – merely a stone’s throw from our lodgings. The sky above was like a huge canvas splayed with a motley of colours – red, orange, pink, magenta, and molten gold. The sea lay sprawled – a gigantic creature, restless and violent, frothing, fuming, eager to pounce on its prey. Words fail me, for I am no poet, the sea always fascinates me, in whichever part of the globe I happen to be in.
As the sun dipped over the turbulent waters, sombre grey brown indigo began to lengthen across the skies. As the tide strengthened the mighty breakers grew more powerful. Hurtling themselves the sandy shores they filled the watchers’ hearts and minds with awe.
As the tide strengthened the mighty breakers grew more powerful. Hurtling themselves the sandy shores they filled the watchers’ hearts and minds with awe.
The other highlights of our Puri visit was the sea bathing aided by efficient nuliyaas (fisher folk cum divers) who skillfully manoeuvre each rising wave and afford the bathers memorable dips and baths. Last but not the least, every night, a balmy sea breeze inconsonance with the roaring waters invariably lulled you to a deep slumber…
Photos from the Internet