Christmas Vacation At Konark & Puri

[ABandy]

Due to the pandemic, since March' 2020, all our family members were not able to visit any place just like most of the family of our country, not even during festive seasons, which makes everyone anxious. To get rid of this and to get rid of monotony of office works, we planned to visit Konark and Puri during the Christmas vacation, since there will be not any online classes of my daughter during that time. An itinerary was made and booking of hotel was done accordingly, well in advance keeping in mind that, following Covid protocol will be prioritized since my senior citizen parents will be there with us.

Jai Jagannath

Calling of the Sea

The Iconic Wheel

A thorough servicing of our beloved Ertiga Vxi (2016) was done 7 days prior to the trip at the MASS (Bhandari Automobiles, Serampore) comprising of changing of Engine Oil, Break Oil, coolant etc. etc.

Day 1 (23.12.2020) (Serampore to Yatrinivas Konark) : We (myself, wife, daughter and my parents) started at 6:15 a.m.from our residence at Serampore. The rear seat of the car was fully loaded with luggages, blankets and some snacks. The morning was a little bit foggy. We cruised through old Delhi Road (NH2) upto Dankuni and then through AH45. Crossed Dhulagarh Toll Plaza at 7:11 a.m and reached New Taramaa Resturant at Kolaghat at 7:55 a.m. for breakfast. At that time there was very less crowd at the resturant. We take Aloo Paratha, Chana Masala and Hot Coffee in disposable plates carried by us. Finished our breakfast and started for onward journey at 8:45 am. Crossed Debra Toll Pazza at 9:30 am, Rampura Toll Plazza at 10:05 am and Laxmannath Toll Plaza at 10:42 am. I was driving very sedately and always try to keep the speed under 80 Kmph. Before reaching Balasore, stopped for a Bio Break and had some coconut water. Road condition upto Kharagpur was butter smooth, from Kharagpur upto Balasore is very good with some uneven culvert approaches, one should reduce speed here to avoid any damage to car suspensions. Crossed Shergarh Toll Plazza at 12:11 pm and continued journey till Adipura IOCL Filling Station. It is highly recommended for its very clean ladies washroom and good quality fuel. Petrol price in Odisha is about 1 Rs. less per ltr. than in West Bengal. Then we started our journey and stopped at Chilli Spice Resturant just 5 Km ahead of Adipura IOCL Filling station. Its a very basic restaurant but quality of food is good. After the lunch we stated at 1:45 pm. Road after Balasore and upto Cuttack is a mess now due to road widening work with numerous diversions and huge speed breakers and huge truck traffic which reduces speed drastically and very tiresome. Crossed Panikoili and Manguli Toll Plazza at 3:18 pm and at 5:05 pm respectively. Before Pipili Toll Plazza stopped at a roadside tea stall for a tea break. After Crossing Pipili Toll Plazza took the left exit to Konark via Old Pipili Konark Road (SH 13) which passes through Nimpada and Gop. Road condition is good with few manageable diversions. Finally we reached Yatrinivas Konark at 7:05 pm and checked in to our room.

Important Notes : 1. Always follow speed limits (Mostly 80 kmph) in deserted stretches in Odisha before big cities like Balasore, Bhadrak, Cuttack and Bhubaneswar since there are hidden speed cams. For over speeding either you have to pay hefty fines or your DL may be suspended by the cops.
2. Stay very alert from the indisciplined highway bikers in Odisha since they ride very dangerously at high speed mostly without helmet and by blocking almost one lane and don't even bother to honk.
3. Paytm Fastag works very smoothly and is highly recommended.

Summary of the Day : Total Distance travelled : 510 Kms, Time Taken : 12.45 Hrs. (Including breakes), Toll Paid : INR 695.00

 

[ABandy]

Day 2 (24.12.2020) At Konark : In the morning explored the Yatrinivas Konark thoroughly. It is a vast property run by the Government of Odisha having ample parking space, a huge dining room, very well maintained garden having swings, which the children would definitely enjoy very much. Rooms are also nice. Before breakfast, washed our car in the Yatrinivas pathway.

After a bath !!

Secured Parking place inside Yatrinivas

Few Pics of Yatrinivas Konark

We took our breakfast and left for Chandrabhaga Sea Beach which is just 4 Kms from Yatrinivas. The beach is very clean, having a huge secured parking space for Rs.30 per day for private vehicles. There were vey less tourists at the beach. Enjoyed the beach for hours and after drinking some coconut water we left to visit Mata Ramchandi Temple just 6 Kms from Chandrabhaga Beach through Konark Puri marine drive road. In 2019, severe cyclonic storm "Fani" affected this part of Odisha very badly.

Chandrabhaga Sea Beach

After offering Puja at Mata Ramchandi Temple we returned to Yatrinivas. During returning, collected online entry tickets for visiting The Sun Temple at Konark in the afternoon. Due to present Covid situations only 1000 Nos. tickets are being issued for morning and evening respectively by paying through UPI, Cards etc. Separate tickets for all members will be isuued which have to scanned before entry with a valid ID card.

After taking lunch at Yatrinivas and some rest we left for visiting the Sun Temple at about 4 pm. Kept our vehicle at the parking space and entered in the Sun Temple. We have visited this place may times earlier, but in the twilight and in the dark it was our first visit and it was really awesome. After exploring the temple upto 6 pm we collected tickets for the light and sound show presented by the OTDC for Rs.50.00 per person. The show started at 6.30 pm and it was a very nice laser show over the temple giving all detailed history of the Temple which is a must try for all tourists. Attaching few pics, hope you will enjoy it.

After returning to Yatrinivas, we packed our luggage to some extent and take our dinner. Total trip for the day was only 24 Kms. and total parking charges paid is Rs.90.00

Important Note : 1. Konark is a nice place to stay out of the hustle and bustle of Puri and Yatrinivas Konark is highly recommended for staying at Konark since it is very secured. Staffs are very helpful and food served at the dining is of very good quality and price is also reasonable.
2. Don't miss the light and sound show at the Sun Temple to know the history behind this world heritage monument.

 

[thiagar]

Excellent write up!
The fact that you gave your car a bath at the destination shows that you take good care!

 

[ABandy]

Thanks Thiagar for your kind word.

Yes, I think all car lovers must do it whenever there is any chance to do so.

 

[ABandy]

Day 3 (25.12.2020) Konark to Puri & stay at Puri : We woke up leisurely in the morning and walked upto the entrance of Sun Temple. It was a nice experience to walk around in the morning. Then we took our breakfast, loaded our luggage in the car, checked out this beautiful place and started for our next destination Puri. Puri is famous for the Lord Jagannath Temple and for the most popular golden sea beach in Eastern part of our country. It is only 38 Km from Konark (1 hour drive)

Approaching Chandrabhaga Beach (Parking place is on the the right hand side)

A drive through Konark Puri Marine Drive Road.

We reached Panthanivas Puri (a Govt. of Odisha run property) at around 11.00 am. It is a vast property just adjacent to the beach, having all sea facing rooms, ample parking space, good rooms, good food but service is not upto the mark like other OTDC hotels. Service is slow, dining place is clumsy and direct access to the beach has been stopped due to the adjacent Blue Flag beach. After checking in our rooms and having some tea we left for the beach.

View from Balcony

Well maintained only, nothing special & over hyped.

The Mighty Bay of Bengal!

We took our lunch at Chung Wah (A famous Chinese restaurant) near Netaji Subhash Chawk, Puri and explore the new marine drive road upto Mohana upto evening. During returning we visit the famous Swargadwar market for collecting some memento. Due to Covid situation, tourists are comparatively less than usual even during holidays. Returned Panthanivas and took our dinner there.

Inside Chung Wah.

Panthanivas at Night.

Parking place.

Total trip of the day is 58 Kms and Parking Charges paid Rs.60.00.

Important note : Due to blue flag beach, direct access to the beach from any hotel located at Chakratirtha Road is not possible and all entry point has been closed by the authority. Every time one have to go about 1 Km to access the beach and after paying for entry tickets and car parking charge. It is better to avoid hotels adjacent to C.T. Road till tickets are being issued from hotels to the boarders and till direct access provided to the boarders. Government of Odisha must decide about this quickly considering convenience of the tourists staying at this location. It is better to book any hotel with parking place at New Marine Drive Road till the problem is resolved.