A memorable journey begins with careful planning, good travel buddies, and the choice of an enchanting destination. The eventful happenings, sweet or bitter anecdotes, and learning make the journey more beautiful than the destination. The distinction between journey and destination, and its associated philosophical rhetoric, can’t be settled once and for all. Still, to satiate our adventure-seeking vibe, three friends—me, Avinash, and Madhusudan—decided to hit the road to Similipal Tiger Reserve.
The management and sequencing plan ensured our itinerary was set. All bookings and other arrangements were completed before hitting the road. We all assembled at Madhu’s place in Bhubaneswar to start the journey. The fear of a roaming tigress in Similipal loomed. Like gladiators preparing for war, we had our torches and plans ready! If we encountered the tigress face-to-face, we would use our torchlight on her eyes to subdue her. That was our master plan!
After a hearty breakfast and the necessary arrangements were made, the wandering trio set out on their journey. Only the malfunctioning USB port was a menace to the GPS and music. Long driving had a free-spirited vibe and charm. It brought out the best in Avinash’s jokes, which are usually shy and laconic. It was a liberating experience for all, serving as a much-needed break. The usual leg-pulling and laughter created a relaxing atmosphere. Gossip and sometimes serious discussions were there as well. Avinash’s driving tips made the experience more welcoming. All of this was accompanied by open signboards!
Avinash asked us a good question: What’s more important—the journey or the destination? Madhu, the studious and punctual among us, preferred the destination and a careful plan to reach it easily. Avinash and I hold a similar view about the topic. The journey is more important because it comes with hiccups, many detours, and memories to have. This applies to both the road trip and life.
We took a tea break at Panikoili, pausing to stretch and relax. After that, we drove for a while and found a decent place for lunch. The new places along the road, the demography, and the atmosphere were refreshing and enchanting. We crossed many places we hadn’t visited before in our lives. The route was new. Before evening, we reached Baripada. We settled into our booked hotel room. We met Bapu Bhai, my cousin. He had arranged our car trip to Similipal. After a small formal chit-chat at his house, we decided to explore Baripada town at night on a scooty.
As usual, our leader was Avinash. Our destiny and destination depended on Avinash’s ability to clutch, brake, and shift gears. We viewed the town from the traveler’s perspective. Baripada is a small town rich in cultural heritage. It boasts beautiful palaces, narrow alleys, and devotional centers. The town has many small shops that have thrived on its legacy. They have an elegant touch of the unforeseen future. Driving in the evening in Baripada town has its share of charm. We visited the famous Jagannath temple to seek divine blessings, then had “Mudhi-mansa” to appease our hungry stomachs! It sounds ironic. Do not forget Madhu’s constant verbal enunciation. She made specific unholy aspirations as she drove to the temple! It all makes sense now; that is irony at its best. But that’s what our evening was like in Baripada town.
The way to Similipal
The next day, after breakfast and tea, we met Bapu Bhai in his office. We parked our car beside his office building. He had arranged a ride for us to the Similipal forest. We collected all the necessary documents for the gate pass. We discussed the sites to visit with the driver. Then, we hopped on the ride. Finally, we were on our way to Similipal.
As we left Baripada and entered the Similipal Tiger Reserve, a scenic countryside unfolded before us. It featured tribal cottages, and small tribal children were playing happily. Our phone network eventually died. A new adventure beckoned, the weather was inviting, and the atmosphere was mysterious. Do we spot any animals, or come face-to-face with the rumored wandering tigress? That was the burning question, and the quest felt palpable.
A lot of time was spent at the Similipal-Baripada gate obtaining the necessary stamps and permissions. We went with no guide. The experienced driver took us to the unexplored, hilly terrain of Similipal, where dense foliage blocked the sun’s rays. The atmosphere was calm, the air felt clean, and the group was highly motivated to search for wildlife. Through the car’s window, we searched the nooks and crannies of the jungle, hoping to find something. But in vain. As we dejectedly continued to ride on the jungle road, an animal suddenly ran across the road. It was unknown to us, and we quickly hid it. We glimpsed the animal for a fraction of a second. A couple of monkeys were seen playing in the branches of vast trees. An unknown animal was screeching in the distance, and the driver did not recognize it. But that’s it. That’s the overall wildlife we found in Similipal. Not a single trace of the tigress was found.
We reached the Joranda waterfall. It was breathtaking. Water dropped from an incredible height from a massive mountain in the wilderness. The scene was glorious. The beautiful, scenic surroundings made us fall in love with nature. We took pictures and videos to capture the moment. Luckily, on our way back from the viewpoint, we met an engineering classmate.
We arrived at Barehipani Cottages, where we had booked for the night. The rich tribal traditions were evident. The manager and a few tribal girls welcomed us. They provided an unforgettable reception. The hospitality was top-notch. The exhausted travelers had lunch in the dining room and explored the area.
The cottage was situated in the middle of the jungle. A few other tribal houses were built nearby. These houses were where locals resided. A handful of hotels were available. To cater to tourists’ wandering nature, they had cycles and a jungle Jeep in the compound. There were suspended ropeways at considerable heights. Visitors walk along these ropeways for a panoramic view of the entire area. We had a beautiful view of the setting sun over the peaks of the endless mountain range. Nearby, a group of tribal boys played football, cricket, or their favorite pastime games. The rural surroundings of the Similipal Tiger Reserve and the tribal people’s way of life were worth seeing.
After an afternoon event, we were greeted with the staff’s warm hospitality, a few pakodas, and a cup of tea. The winter night in the Similipal forest was something else. Many played carom, table tennis, or badminton to pass the time. As the evening drew on, the tribal girls and boys working in the compound as hospitality staff gathered around. They were dressed in traditional outfits and accompanied by musical instruments. They entertained the visiting guests. The group performed many mesmerizing folk songs and danced around on the chilly winter night as if it were nothing. The bonhomie among the group was apparent. Respect for their own tribal culture was evident. The gracious ladies matched the boys’ tunes and rhythms on the instruments.
After the performance, dinner was served. I asked the cottage manager about his tribal roots. He was also playing the drums. He shared his passion for folk music and dance. He proudly said that every tribal person knew the songs, dances, and rhythms from childhood. Later, before going to bed, he answered the curious tourists’ questions about the tigers’ whereabouts and shared some jungle stories.
After breakfast, we bade goodbye to the smiling cottage staff. We went to see the Barehipani waterfall; it was spell-binding. We made a short visit to another waterfall. Madhu took a quick bath there. Madhu also posed for some great photos. This concluded our scenic-spot check in Similipal.
We exited through the Jashipur gate. After expressing gratitude to Bapu Bhai and saying our formal goodbyes, we drove from Baripada to Bhubaneswar. We reached late at night. With many memories deeply ingrained in our hearts, we had a blast at the Similipal Tiger Reserve. It will be a lifelong memory for everyone.
I am concluding the blog to thank the ever-reliable Avinash and the mischievous yet serious Madhu for the trip. We would like to arrange a similar trip in the future. It will be to another jungle, where another journey patiently beckons. Then, we can finally answer the question: What’s more important—the journey or the destination?
The Witty Stride 