Journey to Satpada

When I recollect my sweet memories of our journey to Satpada a place of enchanting & picturesque beauty, a never ending nostalgic moments. Satpada also a part of the famous Chilika Lake a place which helps in conserving home aquatic life, including 225 species of fish the IRRAWADDY DOLPHIN and migratory birds.

It happened some time back when my friend Shanker came bubbling one day with a cigarette in his mouth and proposed a weekend at Satpada, he said this will be a dream vacation of your life. Till that time I did not know much about Satpada. This idea of dream vacation really hit me. We decided that both the families will move to Satpada on his Maruti 800 . My children when heard about this vacation, their enthuhasium had knew no boundaries.

We started early in the morning after having splendid breakfast at local Dhaba (A country side eating joint)

Satpada is 120 Kms from Bhubaneswar , the Capital city of Orissa or 60KMs from Puri (the abode of lord Jagganath). My wife had earlier booked two suites at OTDC (Orissa Tourism Development Corporation) Hotel at Satpada.

We moved in my friend's car listening old Md Rafi's Music and some times children too came with a unique method of singing by taking themes from passerby.

Both side of the road were seen picturesque view of Mango trees and as we neared Satpada saw glimpses of Chilika with migratory birds.

We reached Satpada in the afternoon and put our lugguage in the OTDC suits and rushed to see IRRAWADDY DOLPHIN. We took a walk from Hotel to the lake side. The lake was inside and on both sides of the Jatti or built road there are motor driven boats to carry 10 to 15 people to the spot where Dolphins can be seen. This is a spot one has to go and wait for the IRRAWADDY DOLPHIN's to arrive.

My friend asked the Guide about the Irrawaddy Dolphin. He explained that Irrawaddy Dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris) is a species of dolphin found near coasts and in estuaries in parts of south-east Asia and Chilika . This species has a large melon and a blunt, rounded head. Its beak is indistinct. The dorsal fin is short, blunt and triangular. It is located about two-thirds of the way along the back. The flippers are long and broad. It is lightly coloured all over - slightly more white on the underside than the back.
Length is about 1 m at birth and 2.3 m at full maturity. Birth weight is about 10 kg. Adult weight exceeds 130 kg. Lifespan is about 30 years.
The Irrawaddy Dolphin is a slow swimmer. It surfaces in a rolling fashion and lifts its tail fluke clear of the water for a deep dive only. Irrawaddy Dolphins spit streams of water from their mouths while spyhopping. Dolphins of the species kept in captivity have been trained to do this on command

We took a good looking boat and my self, Shanker, my wife and children and his wife and his son all boarded the boat and went to see the IRRAWADDY Dolphins. The mechanized boat took us to the spot where generally IRRAWADDY Dolphins are seen. The boat's engine was stopped so the IRRAWADDY DOLPHIN will not scarred by the noise. We waited silent for half an hour then suddenly from the left side of our boat we saw 5 to 6 pairs of IRRAWADDY DOLPHIN jumping out of water and catching fishes. This view lasted for couple of minutes and then they disappeared. On our way back we saw number of migratory birds swimming along our side some enjoying their food.

Every year about a million migratory birds from places like Siberia, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Himalayas come to the lake during winter. The birds start coming to the lake in the second week of October and stay up to March.

White bellied sea eagles, greylag geese, purple moorhen, jacana, herons and flamingos are among the many species which make the lake a bird watcher's delight: Chilka, in fact, is home to one of the world's largest breeding colonies of flamingoes.

Other than the birds, Chilka's shores are home to blackbuck, spotted deer, golden jackals and hyenas, and the lake is rich in aquatic life- its waters harbour around 160 species of fish, crustaceans and other marine creatures, including the famous Chilka dolphin. Prawn, crab and mackerel fishing are an important source of livelihood for the local people, and hundreds of small fishing boats set sail each morning to bring in the day's catch from the lake. The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve harbours India's second largest pachyderm population, and the chances of seeing elephant herds is pretty high, especially during the dry season. As described by our Guide.

By the time we reached our Hotel it was evening and after bath, Shankar and myself sat in one room and balance members enjoyed favorite TV soap.

We both enjoyed our evening with bottle of fine whisky . He narrated sufi'sium. Dinner my friend who loves sea food enjoyed thoroughly Crabs masala, Golden prawn (made from Tiger prawn and fried ) and some Lobsters . Myself and my family had roti ,dal and Potato masala.

Next day morning we woke up at about 7 am and while having tea in the balcony enjoyed the scenic beauty of the Lake. We could see fisherman boat moving to catch pride possession . After breakfast we went to see the local market and the museum. By the the time we came out of the museum it was 12 .30 PM. After enjoying the hospitality of OTDC guest house lunch left Satpada with a heavy heart but reminiscent of sweet memories left behind.

Yes this was my dream vacation and both myself and my wife enjoyed every movement. Way back we stopped at Alarnath Mandir, where we were told my locals that Lord Jagganath resides as a commoner when he gets fever and is kept inside the Sanctum Sanctorum before the Famous Car Festival of Puri . This darshan of the Lord at this temple yearly once is very pious.

Well at the end I would like to conclude that this visit one can be satisfied by enjoying the nature's beauty with the God's serenity.