The land of Sun God and Brackish lake

by Varsha Banerjee (India)

I didn't expect to find India

Namaste! Claimed by many beat-up travelers, India remains to top the charts of being the country full of colors and contrasts. A land where culture and heritage drives the people, a land of supreme Gods and goddesses, a land of saints and Ganges. In this country full of diversities, I feel lucky to have born here. I planned to visit CHILIKA, one of the biggest brackish water lagoon situated on the east coast of India. I was astonished by its tranquility, it felt like a dream. I was overwhelmed by its natural beauty. There were a hand full of people to consider, who were sitting on the jetty with a cup of tea in their hands, waiting for their turn to ride on the ferry. Migratory birds flying over, I also got a chance to witness the dolphins, It was all very magical. As the sun started going down, the sky changed its color, it was mesmerizing. I wondered, why this place is known as the famed land of Sun God. After enjoying and capturing the spell-binding beauty in my heart, I managed to look away from the horizon and hopped on to a nearby lonely island. There were few locals who were serving the local delicacies on that island, specially the prawns caught freshly from the lake was lip-smacking. But now I have turned VEGAN. So if you are planning to visit Chilika lake, don't forget to grab a bottle of water and some snacks to make your time unforgettable. It's a great way to relax and get rid of all your worries and you will truly love the atmosphere if you are a nature lover. Also you need to keep in mind that when arriving at this place, a little bit of negotiation can be good because locals may demand or charge a higher price from you if you're unaware of the usual prices. Because you won't like to wreck to your pockets. Meeting the locals, seeing them catching fish on the lake was an amazing experience altogether. Highly Recommended!