Tale of Two States

Two States situated on the opposite coasts of India. One on the East, other on the West. One, of a very tiny size and the other much bigger. At one place the sun rises in the sea; at the other sun sets in the sea.  Bay of Bengal hits the shores on the East and the Arabian Sea, waves the West. One faces the wrath of nature at regular intervals, the other escapes every time. One known for its churches, and the other - famous for its temples. Yes, you guessed it right. It’s about Goa on the West coast and Odisha on the East. Amidst all these differences, are hidden lots of similarities - the near virgin white sand beaches, the lagoons, small roads finding the way through tiny villages with roof thatched houses, lush green paddy fields stretching up to the horizon, coconut trees swaying with the wind, the avenues, sanctuaries, heavy rains and humid atmosphere, slow and simple life; and above all, simplicity of the locals. The delicious and mouth watering coconut and fish recipes is boon for the foodies.

 
Odisha, the geography that faces brunt of the cyclones rising in the Bay of Bengal, is home to many ancient temples dating back to 11th and 12th century. Lingaraj temple in the temple town of Bhubaneswar, Sun temple at Konark, Lord Jagannath temple at Puri are amongst the most famous ones. Each temple has its own share in enriching the art, tradition and culture of the land. The unique carvings and the architectural designs of the temples force us to imagine the advanced knowledge that our ancestors possessed in these fields. The erotic figures at Konark is a proof of the openness of the society then, the social acceptance and approval of the then prevailing laws for display of such figures on the temple walls. The famous Chilka Lake with its vast expanse attracts many migratory birds, flamingos being one among major attractions. It's a boon to the birders. White tigers of Nandankanan, the Dhauligiri Stupa showcasing the aftermath of the Kalinga war fought centuries ago, Khanda Giri and Udaygiri caves show the variety of attractions available for the globe trotters.

Goa, a tiny State on the West coast, once a Portuguese colony, is a lively example of gelling together of two cultures. While Basilica of Bom Jesus is on the itinerary of every tourist, so are the temples of Mangeshi and Shantadurga. If beaches at Baga and Kalangut are some of the most happening places in the North, then Benaulim beach in the South is for those who are in search of solitude. Food lovers have a great time enjoying the unique recipes, whether it's Bebinca or Goan Fish Curry. The teetotallers abound, but it's the place that attracts the Feni and the beer lovers the most. Roaming on a bike through the serpentine roads alongside the paddy fields and the coconut, betelnut and the cashew trees   is an experience in itself. The slow pace of life makes the place a perfect travel destination. Susegad...

[Nishad Umranikar]