WEAVER'S WORLD / JAGANNATHPURI / PLACES TO VISIT -5

WEAVER'S WORLD / JAGANNATHPURI / PLACES TO VISIT -5

This is a place of great historical/mythological as well as religious importance, as this is the only place where Lord Jagannath of Puri resides, for a few days every year, apart from the usual Sanctum sanctorum of Sri Jagannath Temple of Puri. This temple is located inside Puri, just at the end of Bada Danda (or Grand Road). Surrounded by plenty of coconut trees, this looks very scenic. The temple is repainted every year just before the awesome Rathayatra ( the Chariot/Car festival ) of Puri. Those 8-9 days are packed with spellbinding festivities, pomp and gaiety in the entire Puri town, and people travel in hordes to see Lord Jagannath, Lord Balabhadra and Devi Subhadra at Gundicha Temple (colloquially known as Gundicha Bari)

Winter visit is compulsory for Bird-watchers and photographers, when one can enjoy viewing birds and getting them photographed. Commonly seen species are the Bar-headed Goose, Shovellers, Black-winged Stilts, Moorhens, Pheasant-tailed Jacanas, Gulls (many varieties), Terns and many more. If you are truly a bird lover you must visit the sanctuary. Birds from India and other far way places like Europe are also found here. They stay for a couple of months and by April they are gone. The vast dream-like Chilika Lagoon is situated on the east-coast of India. It is the largest brackish Water Lagoon with estuarine character that sprawls along the east coast. It happens to be the largest wintering ground for migratory waterfowl found anywhere on the Indian sub-continent. The Nalaban Island within the Lake is notified as a Bird Sanctuary under Wildlife (Protection) Act.

If you are a religious person and love of mythological history, then you must visit Narendra Tank. A very clean lake with its own story, one can visit the mesmerising, clean and the wonderful ashram of Sadguru Bijoy Krishna Goswami (popularly called Jatiya Baba) and also of his disciple Kuladananda Brahmachari which is just adjacent to Narendra Sarobar.

It’s not exactly in Puri but 15 Km. away from it. It’s a kind of picnic spot for families. The beach is clean, away from the crowds. Experience the calm and peaceful environment with only the sound of the sea waves. Baliharachandi beach lies on the way from Konark to Puri. The long shoreline and calm environment will make you sit on the sand and pass the time peacefully, hours at a stretch. The view is truly beautiful at the time of sunset. Maa Durga in the form of Chandi gets worshipped here. It is a very good picnic spot and nice place to visit in the winter.

Pipli is a large village between Bhubaneswar and Puri , whose only claim to fame is the beautiful applique work done by the local artisans here. It also got some prominence because of its strategic location within the golden triangle of Odisha tourism: Bhubaneswar, Puri and Konark.

Earlier all vehicles from Bhubaneswar going either to Puri or to Konark had to necessarily pass through Pipli. Now the new highway by-passes Pipli, thereby reducing its importance. This has also caused the famed applique market of Pipli to disappear from the Bhubaneswar-Puri highway.

The glory of Pipli is the famous applique work. Using cotton fabrics , local artisans create beautiful works of art including household items . The art works are mostly awnings and decorative wall hangings. The utility items are prepared with the same artistic skill and include bed covers, lampshades, sofa covers and bags etc. The artisans who weave such magic on clothes are from Pipli although the products are sold at other places too. As Pipli is not part of the highway , visitors do not pass through Pipli as frequently as in previous years. Only those knowing and interested in buying appliqué work products from its point of origin reach Pipli. Although these products are available elsewhere , Pipli (being the source) offers variety and price which other places cannot afford to.