DESTINATION INDIA

Orissa (PART-VII)

     Puri (3)

Chilka Lake

Chilka Lake - Asia's largest brackish water lagoon with water spread ranging from 1165 sq km m the rainy season to 906 sq km in the dry season is nestled in the heart of the coastal Odisha (Orissa). It extends from Bhusandpur in Puri district in the North to Rambha-Malud in Ganjan district in the South, separated from the Bay of Bengal by a 60 km long narrow strip of marshy islands and sand-flats. 

Chilika is recognized as one of the most important wetlands in the world because it is home to a phenomenal variety of birds. Chilika Lake offers visitors a spectacular display of its colorful avian charms in a thousand different hues presented by over 160 species in the peak season between November and February. The lake and its reed islands teem with nesting birds-white bellied sea eagles, ospreys, golden plovers, sand pipers, flamingos, pelicans, shovellers, gulls, include migratory ones flying great distances from Iran, Central Asia and Siberia. 

The large Nalabana Island (Forest of Reeds) covering about 16 sq km in the lagoon area was declared a bird sanctuary in 1987. The core area of about 9 sq km attracts around 400,000 waterfowls of different species. Often underwater, the island gradually emerges with the outset of summer. It is literally a paradise for bird-watchers.

 

Another major attraction at Chilika is Irrawady dolphins which are often spotted off Satpada Island. Satpada, bounded by the lagoon on three sides, offers an excellent view and attracts the visitors to its entire 30 km stretch of sand bar. Boats arranged by OTDC are available for both the islands. The lake also supports the local fisherman in earning their living from Chilika's prawn, mackerel and crabs.

Of late, slightly reduced number of birds owing to growth in prawn farming as well as silting and reduced salinity has alarmed the conservationists. The plying of mechanized boats, the increasing of different fishing nets and gears has threatened the flagship species of the Chilika lagoon, the Irrawady dolphin.

Pipili

Pipili (also known as Pipli) is a town and a NAC under jurisdiction of Puri district. It is famous for designing beautiful Applique handicrafts. It is a town of artisans famous for their colourful fabrics.

Pipli Handicraft market

Futher ahead on the National highway 40 Km from Puri one can reach Pipili, a craft village for Applique work. One can find a series of shops decorated with many applique works with bright colors. Applique is an art, a process of cutting coloured cloth into shapes of animals, birds, flowers leaves gods, goddesses and other decorative motifs and stitching them on a piece of cloth.

Applique work

The varieties are like umbrellas, lamps shades, wall cloths, table covers, sofa covers, children cloths, bad covers and many more. These are prepared by skilled craft persons, perhaps, a remnant of Mughal days. People love to see the varieties they even like to purchase the handicrafts.

Gundicha Temple

The most important sanctuary of the Lord Jagannath is the Gundicha Temple--the abode to Jagannath, Balabhadra and Subhadra. Except for these few days, it is unoccupied. But there is a small establishment of servants by whom it is regularly maintained. It is situated at the other end of the great highway (Badadanda).

The distance between the gates of Jagannath Temple and the Gundicha Temple is exactly 2,688.0696 meters (8327 feet). The temple is surrounded by a wall and stands in the middle of garden. It consists of four pars connected with kitchen rooms, by a narrow passage. The tower, a construction of Pidha type, is 75 feet high with a base of 55 feet by 46 feet outside, and 36 feet 8inches by 27 feet inside.

All the four structures (Vimana, Jagamohan, Natamandap, and Bhogamandap) bear the traces of several plastering and are carved in places with obscene figures in mortar. There is a plain raised seat, 4 feet high and 19 feet long, made of chlorite and this is called the Ratnavedi -- the throne on which the images are placed when brought to the temple.

* There are more places to  see in Puri, I just want to share the best.