Sea and We

“At the beach, time slows down, worries disappear, and life is simplified.”

Early this year I got an opportunity to visit a serene beach and the salty air, the sound of the waves, and the sand between my toes –were few unforgettable moments. 

Though I have travelled to many countries and been to many good sea beaches, this particular travel was beyond my imagination.

Here I got to witness the river happily merging with sea and the vastness of sea felt like the horizon of universe. The waves in the river gave an impression that it was just an extension of the sea itself.

I felt overwhelmed and cried. Prayed to lord to make me merge into HIM someday.

I was determined to visit this beach, however locals discouraged us saying you guys might be in trouble. Still we arranged car and started locating the river. When we saw the river we felt elated, however, it was short lived as our driver informed that we can’t drive beyond highway.

I used Google and found out that we are almost in the region and within 10 kms we can reach the place I wanted to visit. But satellite and human navigation work very differently. 

I was determined to visit and so was my driver- not to take me there. Finally I won. He gave up.

We asked few locals and found ourselves on a rough motor able road. It was so narrow that I felt we might be off roads anytime.

Suddenly I saw few houses and people. We stopped, inquired and kept driving.

On both sides of the road there were houses- small, muddy and the whole area had a strong odor. Only then I realised , we were passing through a fishermen village. Fishes were being dried up on that narrow road so our driver had to show his maneuvering skills. Trust me he didn’t disappoint me. But for sure he was visibly disappointed with me and was cursing within.

After around 8 kms, we reached a dead end and there stood a Vishnu temple. We got down and from a distance I could see few mangrove trees and was certain that we were nearby.

We saw a man, chilling under a tree, and asked him about our destination. With a surprised, but a happy, look he said “walk three kms and you will see heaven”.

When I turned to tell this to my husband, I found he had already embarked on his journey.

He felt a sudden pull to walk and didn’t even bother to discuss with me that how with a 7 year old I will travel so far that too on a stretch which has bushes, broken bridge and worst- a river to cross.

I felt there was a string attached, which my husband easily could cut and felt free. I can’t express how I felt. I have known this man for 16 years but never saw him so free and detached. It felt like he was a soul who just found his source and doesn’t care what bounds him back.

With no option left, I too started following him.

The journey

After crossing the broken bridge, some high bushes, sandy track and passing by thousands of small walking conch shells, I reached a point where I said I can’t do anymore.

Terrain around Crawling shells

Reason- a river which we will have to cross on feet. I have never done this before and was even scared of some water animals or insects who might bite me. Further I was more concerned how my daughter will cross it as water seemed cold and deep too.

My husband, though was determined and as if in trance, didn’t speak a single word, folded his pants, lifted my daughter on his back, no words exchanged or no instructions were given to me, started again on his journey.  Who was this man, I never knew him. I was angry, upset, shocked that how insensitive he has become.

Now with my husband, daughter and driver gone ahead, I had to do this. I stepped into the water and it was so cold with few grass like thing coming under my feet. Worst was that it was waist deep but with grace I was on the other side with no harm.

From there I saw my husband almost running towards the river beach and in another 10 minutes what I saw was beyond my expectation.

A clean blue river, with waves, shiny sandy beach and other than us four, there was no sign of human life. There were few small boats anchored but we looked around and found no one.

Peace

The view was breath taking- blue sky, blue water, beautiful beach and on the other side of the river was high Sandy Mountain. The sea was encircling this river and we were at the mouth of their meeting point.

We ran, jumped, smiled, cried and felt every emotion, except fear. Though otherwise my mind would have given me hundred of reasons to worry in such a secluded place.

River and sea on each side

We spent almost an hour and half, just on our own. Even our driver, who was irritated all this while, was happy and making Insta reels for his handle. On the beach we found fetus of many jelly fishes, which I never saw before.

Jelly fish

When we decided that we should now head back, we saw two men approaching us, out of nowhere, and offered to take us across the river to see the mighty t power of sea on the other side.  We happily got into their boat and with no safety guards, sailed with faith. I encountered a water snake and many jelly fishes.

Once on the other side, we climbed a huge mountain of sand to see panoramic view of ocean. No words can describe the feeling. Also pictures captured though camera can never do justice to what our eyes can see.

Climbing up to see the sea on the other side

Wavy river

The sand , however looked different and when we asked those boatmen, they informed it was rare earth metals. How rich this place is in terms of nature’s abundance. God gave all his time to make this place stand out.

Rare earth minerals

On our return, the boat became shaky and somewhere deep within I knew it is going to happen because I carry a bad omen of making boats sink whenever I board them. Fortunately the strong river waves and wind subsided and we were back.

Back to the shores

We wanted to pay those men and the amount they asked was too less for the joy they offered. 

It was time to go. So we bid goodbye to those god sent fishermen and marched towards our car.

My fear again surfaced at the thought of crossing the river again but lo and behold, there was no river. It was all dry due to low tide. We simply walked in muddy water which was not even touching my ankle. As if nature gave me a hint that I am with you and have felt the bliss so no more suffering from now on.

River at low tide, see the depth of the river

We reached our car, cleaned ourselves with the help of locals and drove back to city. But this place left an impression which will remain.

I came out feeling more grateful for the life I have. For the abundance nature has given us. I missed my Guru and Ishta there and felt as if they guided me to this place to understand how it feels like merging into them. 

I will write another post on the significance of this place and why I was determined so much to visit it.

To all the curious mind that which place I am talking about- this is River Rishikulya meeting with Bay of Bengal and finally into Indian Ocean. It is situated in the Ganjam district of Odisha.

Featured Image- your’s truly