Nishant, a nature enthusiast with a deep love for exploring the outdoors, enjoys trekking and finding peace in natural surroundings.

As a software developer immersed in the digital world, this contrasting passion makes him truly unique.

He suggested visiting Hotapal, a small earthen dam nestled among hills, known for its stunning landscape and serene atmosphere, ideal for picnics and camping. We planned to go early in the morning to catch the sunrise over the mountains.

We woke up as early as 4:00 AM to travel nearly 50 km for the sunrise—proof of how passionate we were! Along the way, we were joined by Ranjan, a 26-year-old photographer who was a mutual friend and had accompanied us on previous treks.

Beyond his profession, he's a true adventurer, often wandering through jungles alone, finding his way to hilltops by following waterfalls.

He doesn’t need Google Maps to navigate the wilderness, relying instead on his sharp instincts to read the terrain.

The two bikes, carrying three of us, sped through the rugged jungle paths, our eyes fixed on the sun's movement. After a long ride, we finally arrived at the destination.

The moments before sunrise are quite dramatic, with nature moving at its own slow pace. A few beams of sunlight break through first, like rays from a projector streaming between the hills.

Then the birds begin to stir and more sunrays follow, until finally, the it rises higher, making its presence unmistakably clear—announcing that the Sun has arrived!

You might wonder, what's so special about a sunrise? Ask those who are deeply in love with every movement of nature. They’d go to any length, crossing distances and overcoming hurdles, just to witness that one moment.

While I found myself feeling a bit out of place, unable to match the passion the other two brought to the experience, I still had great respect for them.

Their ability to notice the subtle details that most would overlook was truly admirable. We returned with some memorable clicks and a hope to reunite again for a different adventure!

The Evening🌙in Sambalpur

In the evening, we headed to our next stop—chai at Manoj’s house & made our way to a popular momo shop, before proceeding to explore the Magnum Opus Samaleswari Parikrama Project.

This 16th-century Samaleswari Temple, located on the banks of the Mahanadi and the chief deity of western Odisha, has undergone a remarkable transformation.

The project spans 39 acres and includes a 1km heritage corridor, heritage gates, improved access to the temple, and modern amenities for pilgrims. The development of the Mahanadi riverfront is also part of the project.

The initiative aims to provide devotees and visitors with an experience of peace and divine bliss, while also boosting regional tourism and the economy.

The upgraded ghat enables thousands of devotees to gather and witness the Mahanadi Alati.

This landmark has held a special place in our hearts since childhood, and seeing its grand transformation has been deeply moving.

I could hardly believe how the power of lighting and architecture could completely change a place—it felt like pure magic!

By around 9 PM, and with our base being 20 kilometers from there, we didn’t have much time to spend there. After enjoying a brief visit, we headed back home.

P.S

Though this is inspired by a real-life story, due care is exercised by modifying the names, details & incidents to protect privacy.