Travel Sarna

Bhitarkanika National Park is wild territory. Filled with mangroves forest on both sides of a network of creeks, Bhitarkanika is home to around 1800 saltwater crocodiles, some of which are the world’s largest. It is said that December to February is the best season for crocodile sighting in Bhitarkanika as many of them are seen basking on the mudflats in the morning or late afternoon. However, on a sunny post-monsoon October afternoon, we were thrilled to sight territorial fights among crocodiles in the dangerous creek waters of Bhitarkanika. In the breeding season for saltwater crocodiles, competition among the female for territory is not only intense but also violent. Saltwater crocodiles are the most territorial among all crocodile species. Adults are particularly intolerant of other adults and this territoriality is displayed by both male and female crocodiles.     The territory size of female crocodiles is smaller, about one km in radius associated with nesti...

Bhitarkanika National Park is a paradise for all nature lovers. Referred to as 'Mini Amazon', Bhitarkanika draws travellers from around the world mainly for its wilderness, adventure water journeys and estuarian crocodiles.  However, Bhitrakanika has also been known for two of Asia's largest heronries, one at Bagagahana and another Matha Adhia.  Heronries are ideal sites for the breeding population of herons, egrets, storks and other waterbirds. Heronry sites fulfil all the needs of colonial nesting of waterbirds providing them safe and suitable ground for feeding, roosting, perching, breeding and nesting.   At Matha Adia which is located on the southern side of Bhitrakanika National Park, thousands of openbill storks nest in large numbers in the dense mangrove forest. The nesting starts at the onset of the monsoon and ends by mid-November until when the chicks are ready to fly. The highly productive detritus food chain of mangrove provides and ensure the continuous ...

Slow travel brings you closer to nature and its rhythm, not necessarily it is always spectacular sceneries, but humble actions that are filled with stories and learning.   You become a child filled with curiosity to know how nature works. Who does not like butterflies? Their spectacular colours and patterns bind our eyes.  However, butterflies have interesting food chain stories. You find them in a cluster extracting salt from the floor while in a jungle track.  Watch here: 

From time immemorial the indigenous communities living in various forest corridors of Odisha have acquired the art and knowledge of living in the forest environment. The forest may have a wealth of natural resources both for subsistence and earning a livelihood, but is full of dangers. Often the forest people are attacked by wild animals or insect bites. Many fall sick while they are on a forest trek for firewood or edible plant gathering.    There is a deep faith among the indigenous communities for the forest goddesses, to whom they revere deeply. It is part of their belief system - the forest goddess would come to their home at the time of health crises or other dangers. Before they enter the forest they bow down before her image for divine blessing and after a successful return again they bow down as part of thanksgiving.  Maa Khilamunda is the tutelary deity of the erstwhile princely state Ranpur in the Nayagarh District. Her shrine is located in the deep jungle of D...

For thousands of years, the indigenous communities living in various parts of the world have developed the art and skills of living with wild animals in their surroundings. However, as time has moved with the spread of urban culture and penetration of consumer markets in rural areas, the indigenous communities are steadily forgetting the traditional wisdom of coexistence with the animal world. The loss of traditional knowledge has resulted in regular conflicts between animals and humans. There are losses of lives in both, the animals as well as humans.  The Meadow of Banjiama Village surrounded by the hills of Dalijoda  The View of Dalijoda Hills and Forest from the Terrace of Kila Dalijoda However, there are still villages in remote forest areas where the harmonious living between wild animals and humans coexist. Banjiama is one such village located in dense Dalijoda Forest in Cuttack District. A settlement of 50 to 60 members, Banjiama is inhabited by the Sabara Tribal commu...

Saranga on the bank of the serene Brahmani River does not find mention in any tourism literature, however, for those interested in archaeological heritage, Saranga holds a surprise. Located in the heart of upland Odisha in the Gondwana Plateau, Saranga was once part of the Sulki Dynasty, a subordinate of Bhauma Kara rulers from coastal Odisha.   River Brahmani in Monsoon at Saranga The Monolithic Sculpture of Ananta Sayana A huge monolith of Anata Sayana (Lord Visnu reclining on snake Ananta) is the archaeological treasures of Saranga. Carved out from the live rock, the monolith can be seen from the distance on the rocky bank of the river.  The monolithic sculpture is also an artistic jewel. The sublime compassionate face of Lord Vishnu appears charming even in its ruined condition. If you travelling here towards the end of the monsoon season, the added attraction is the profusion of Kasatandi grass and flowers on the riverbank, which bind your eyes like sprawling silvery shee...

Farm getaways have become hot travel experiences in many parts of India. Imagine Valsad in South Gujarat or Ratnagiri in Konkan Coast of Maharashtra where Chiku and Alphonso mango orchards draw a large number of urban folks during weekends. However, such an idea in Odisha is still in the infancy stage.  In a village called Karpada near Chatrapur Town on the bank of the Rusikuliya River, a picturesque drive draws you to some beautiful orchards of areca nuts, mangoes, pineapples and farm produces like millets and organic rice. While strolling through the farms in the morning and afternoon, one not only immerses with the local stories but also relax his or her mind and soul while listening to the calls of the resident birds and observing the locals bathing and having a fun time in the river.  There is no accommodation yet developed in the orchards of Karpada. However, one can stay at nearby Gopalpur or Rambha. A short drive along the river would take you to the Asokan Era city of...

From time immemorial gulping of mild alcoholic locally brewed beverages has been an integral part of indigenous life in Odisha. But all drinks are not brewed. Some are collected in pots naturally for local consumption. One such drink is Salap Palm Toddy.  Salap Palm Juice If you are in Kandhamal as a slow immersive experience-seeking traveller you get opportunities at any time of the year to relish salap drink Before your eyes a man would climb a tall Salap Palm tree to collect the freshly gathered palm juice. Every one of his clan and fellow villagers would be waiting for him to descend. Once he is back on the ground the pot filled toddy juice is distributed among all. This is repeated three times a day, morning, afternoon and evening.  A Man Climbing to Collect Salap Palm Juice in the Morning In villages of Kandhamal, you are also invited to the salap party where you immerse in the local stories. Though it is mildly alcoholic, Salap Toddy keeps your stomach cool. It is refre...

Spread for thousands of acres of pristine forest, Dalijoda is a tranquil gateway from the city of Bhubaneswar for all nature and immersive culture seeking travellers. Dalijoda once used to be the hunting heaven of the erstwhile Maharaja of Purulia is now a major elephant corridor and a biodiversity hotspot. The forest is only a one and half hour drive from Bhubaneswar.  The Tranquil Setting Dalijoda Reservoir The Panoramic View of Daljoda Hills from Kila Dalijoda, Once a Royal Hunting Lodge, now an Award-Winning Home Stay    Kila Dalijoda  From the 1970s until recently the forest had suffered badly due to massive logging by the mafias. Most of the forest had gone. However now thanks to the initiative of the Govt of Odisha and the community participation the forest has now rejuvenated. A recently created reservoir deep in the jungle has increased the water level and becoming a refuge for birds and aquatic life.  A Kingfisher waiting for a Catch   We began ou...