subject: The Silvery Sands Of Chandipur [print this page] Chandipur is a strategically located town and is host to Indias Ballistic Missile testing range. I was anyway not allowed to enter these premises as only authorized defense personnel were granted access. Even from the exterior though, the entire range was quite intimidating.
The beach at Chandipur On Sea is actually what the fuss was all about. And a much deserved fuss, as I learnt to my everlasting delight. I knew about the peculiarity of this spot, for the water here had the unique habit of receding to a remarkable distance of about five kilometers at regular intervals.
As much as I knew, nothing prepared me for the spectacular view that I was going to see. There is something awe inspiring about an endless visage of sand, with water only visible on the so very distant horizon. It was akin to a desert, but without the attendant heat and with the promise of an oasis that is going to visit you, not the other way around.
I spent hours walking around in the Beach marveling at the objects left uncovered by the departed sea. This was a veritable beachcombers delight, with sea shells of various shapes, sizes and colors, plenty of other natural and manmade artifacts, tons of driftwood, and thousands of curious but shy crabs. I even espied quite a number of tourists venturing onto the sands on bicycles and motorcycles. I could hear the gentle susurrations of the many Casuarina trees that adorned the land side of the beach. The view was breathtaking, and the atmosphere serene.
It was only a matter of time before I could discern the oncoming front of the water body. The Bay Of Bengal is particularly benevolent at this spot since the water proceeds at a leisurely place, not presenting any sort of danger at all. I subsequently learnt that the water reaches the shore line about four times a day and at consistent times too. A number of fishing boats, some carrying tourists made their stately way to the shore with the help of the sea.
I had heard that there was an artificial sanctuary for birds near the integrated missile testing range. This sanctuary is called Nisarg and is supposed to host thousands of migratory birds during the colder seasons. Such was the lure of the beach, unfortunately, that I could not find the time to visit the sanctuary.
It was late in the evening when I made my way back to the city of Balasore. I was filled with a sense of contentment mingled with traces of sadness, for I did not know when I would get the opportunity to visit such a beautiful spot again.
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