Last month I had some great fun spending good amount of time the way I did as it was a clear cut diversion from how it had been for the past few weeks. Not to say that I don't have fun investing a good amount of time at work, oh yes I do like and enjoy what I do to earn my living. But its the other side of the coin that we tend to forget during the course of the so called busy life, sometimes even act as if it doesn't exist, ignoring the urge to do something different. The month started off with myself learning some salsa and hip-hop dance steps and dancing didn't stop there though as I watched the series of events unfolding later. What followed next was memorable event. And, that was the picnic to a hill station namely Saptasajya, a scenic beauty located eleven km out of Dhenkanal. I have always been flabbergasted by the places full of natural beauty and Saptasajya is one such place filled with the lush green landscapes apart from dense forest like surroundings with lot of trees. If you thought I missed out something, then you are right. There is also a mountain stream flowing down the hill.
We started off early in the morning (at around 6 o'clock) from Bhubaneswar as its a three hour long bus journey we had to travel and even before that the bus driver(s) for the two buses did have a job in his hand, picking everyone (ninety in number) up which was made easier with some meticulous planning by a team of dedicated individuals. It indeed needed a lot of pre-event planning as managing people of this big number is no less than a Herculean task. As we started for the picnic, at first I had an impression of it as a typical bus journey but boy, did we have fun. All my notions were proven wrong as soon as the wheels of the bus started rolling. All of us were in the mood to sing that we did with full throated voice. Aanth-akshari was just the beginning though, as one of us, Mr Hati, quite a popular figure in CDR team started entertaining everyone within the bus with his unique talent. His acts were were hilarious indeed, so much so that the two buses took turns to invite him to perform the acts, he did all the while we were in the journey. We just couldn't help but laugh and kept laughing till we had no more of laughter left in us. The journey was great although we did have some bumpy roads towards the last few miles to our destination. But thats how it is i guess. Many a times in life too we have to travel past the bumpy moments else would we be in a position to appreciate the brighter side of it.
Once we reached our destination, we had some breakfast and we were on our own to explore the place that is said to act as host to the Pandavas during their Agnyatvas days in these hills as they had spent one year this mountains for shelter. There is also the holy temple of Sri Ramachandra is located at about 900 feet at the hill top. A mountains stream flows down as if touching his holy feet in veneration. Mythologically this place is important and many legends are still available. Its name is Saptasajya because, there are seven hills surrounding the area. Again there is story that, the Saptarashi had their ashrams here in this place. There is also a mythological story, that, Sri Ram during his exiled or Vanabasha had spent seven days in this beautiful spot. This scenic spot has become a good tourist and picnic spot where thousands of tourists and devotees gather from different corners of Orissa and India. Once we were done with the breakfast, we went in groups up to the temple first and the hill top later. I must say I was in complete awe to see the greenery around. It would be a great a mistake on my part if I were to call this place just a picnic spot or a tourist destination as it didn't fail to baffle me with its dazzling and rejuvenating environment. When we were back for the fun activities, it started from where it had stopped at the bus with events like catch the balloon, tug of war and some solo songs sung by few of us and oh yes, my guitar did play a part for my song. When it came to the dancing to the beats of the music being played, it was a sight for the Gods to see. Oh my God, I never thought we could dance the way we did in the group, i mean all of us. It reminded me of my university days, when we used to dance in the DJ nights all night long at the university of Hyderabad. The crazy moves made by us had become a part of the interesting dance steps. On the way back to Bhubaneswar from Saptasajya, my mind was struck with a series of thoughts as I was reminded of a poem I had read sometime back in which the poet describes life as a journey. In my view, the journey of life gives us enough opportunities to make it a memorable one. Its up to us how we reach our destination and what we do to make it a memorable one.
Photographs Courtesy : Sridhar.
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