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Odisha Part 4: Chilika – Experiencing the lake, in and out of season

My first visit to the Chilika Lake in Jan 2017 was for content for a resort. It was peak season, and I would have loved to stay near the lake, but the brief was to stay at Puri and cover areas that could be visited from Puri. And so, I did the usual touristy thing, taking a boat for half the day. Which is why, on my next visit to Odisha, if there was one thing I was clear about, it was that I wanted to stay near the lake, at least for a day, if not more. However, unlike my first visit, the second was in end of May, and the season was long ended. There would be no birds, I was warned by anyone and everyone I spoke to, including the people at the stays I was considering. But those who know me, know how stubborn I can be, and so I persisted. I eventually decided to stay at two of the Odisha eco-tourism resorts, at Mangalajodi and Rajhans, keen on experiencing the lake, even minus the birds. I had expected it to be hot, but as it turned out, the rains turned out to be even bigger spoilspo...
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Navaratri Day 9 : Ramleela

Navaratri might be about the goddess, and her victory over the demon. However, the festival is also about another war - that between Rama and Ravana. Ramleela is just as important a part of our Navaratri celebration, so here is a peep into the Ramleela at Chembur...




That's Kumbhakarna in full flow, all set to enter the war...

And there is Ravana on the side, all ten heads in tow.



Here is the Ravana effigy....



Interestingly with just nine heads...



Samhith suggested that this was because Ravana would have already lost at least one of his heads by the time the effigy is burnt... Anyone have a better explanation????



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Location: Gandhi Maidan (adjacent), Mahadeo Wadi, Chembur, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400071, India

Comments

  1. NatalieGOctober 4, 2014 at 6:07 AM

    Maybe there's another one hidden under his hat?? :) I'm sure Samhith would know better than I, so I think I'll go with his theory...

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    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarOctober 9, 2014 at 12:26 PM

      hmm, doubtful, Natalie! I simply think they didnt notice that one of the heads had fallen off, and I suppose they thought no one would notice!

      Delete
  2. divsiOctober 10, 2014 at 7:50 PM

    Ah! There is our very own Baby Ravan :p (Thats what we call him) hehe can see him from the window :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anuradha ShankarOctober 10, 2014 at 10:24 PM

      thats a nice name for him, divsi!!! and lucky you, to see him from your window!! btw, we should meet sometime... since i too live in chembur :)

      Delete
    2. divsiOctober 11, 2014 at 10:46 PM

      definitely! adding you up on FB :)

      Delete

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