After two weeks of traveling through Odisha, this was it , my final stop. Jagatsinghpur. I didn’t expect it to hit me the way it did. Maybe it was the silence of the fields, or the way the morning air held onto my skin a little longer, but something about this place felt different. Like Odisha was slowing down to say goodbye.
🌼 A Morning in Balikuda
I reached Balikuda just after sunrise. It was quiet — not the eerie kind, but the peaceful one where everything feels exactly where it should be. Small temples stood calmly at the edge of narrow roads. I saw a group of women placing marigold flowers at the foot of a shrine, their bangles clinking softly as they worked. No crowds, no noise. Just the daily rhythm of a place deeply rooted in faith.
I didn’t go inside the temples. I didn’t feel the need to. Just standing there, watching from the side, was strangely grounding. I was dressed simply — a soft white cotton kurti, beige ankle pants, sandals still carrying bits of dust from the last town, and my hair loosely braided. The kind of outfit that lets you blend into the calm.
A local shopkeeper offered me coconut water without asking anything in return. I sat on the step outside his shop, slowly sipping, listening to the faint ringing of temple bells in the distance. That small moment — just sitting there, doing nothing — felt more spiritual than any ritual I’ve ever done.
⛰️ Sukinda – Rugged, Raw, and Real
Later that afternoon, I made my way to Sukinda — a place that couldn’t have been more different from Balikuda. This land is known for its chromite mines, and you can feel it the moment you enter. The roads were drier, the sunlight felt heavier, and everything around looked sharper and tougher.
I climbed halfway up a rocky hill just outside the town, found a spot to sit, and looked out at the wild, unpolished view. No lakes, no mountains, no tourist spots — just land. Dusty, strong, real land. I took out a banana I’d kept in my bag, ate it slowly, and for a while, just… sat. No music. No camera. Just me and the wind.
There was a strange beauty in Sukinda’s rawness — like a face without makeup, tired but honest.
💭 And Just Like That… It Was Over
I didn’t plan a grand ending to this trip. There were no final rituals or perfect photos. Just a slow exhale, and a quiet realization that I had seen more of my home state in these past weeks than I had in my entire life.
Fifteen districts, each so different, each holding a piece of me now.
And as I packed my bag that night in Jagatsinghpur, brushing off the last bit of red dust from my sandals, I smiled to myself. Because maybe the best endings are the ones that don’t try too hard — the ones that just let you sit, breathe, and feel full.
📍 Travel Notes:
- When to visit: October to March
- What to wear: Light cottons are perfect — breathable, simple, and practical.
- Food tip: Carry snacks if you’re heading to Sukinda. It’s remote and options are limited.
- Getting there: Balikuda and Sukinda are best accessed by road from Cuttack or Bhubaneswar.
Some journeys change you. Others remind you who you’ve always been. Odisha did both for me.
And just like that… my trail across Odisha comes to a gentle pause.
My journey through these 15 beautiful destinations has come to an end for now. There are still so many hidden corners, untold stories, and quiet sunsets across Odisha that I couldn’t explore this time — but I definitely will, and super soon. This isn’t the end. It’s just a break before the next adventure begins.
Till then, take care, travel slow, and keep your heart open.
And if you’ve never been here before — please, please visit Odisha. It’s more than just temples and beaches. It’s rhythm, soul, warmth, and surprise.
Yes ; I’m from Bhubaneswar, Odisha. But this was actually the first time I truly explored my home with my own eyes. And I’m so, so grateful I did.
See you soon,
Tanisha 🌻
Sagittarius Soul Trails
Leave a Reply