“Odisha Diaries: Where the Journey Begins”
Destination 01
“A Ride to the Clouds – My Mahendragiri Escape with Her”
The clock ticked close to 5 PM when we reached the entry point of Mahendragiri, hearts full of excitement and souls craving the wild. A small ₹20 gate pass for my bike was our symbolic ticket into another world. As we mounted the bike and took off from the base camp, little did we know we were about to ride through nature’s rawest form — a test of will, love, and wonder.The ghat road was no ordinary ride. Narrow, slippery, and dangerous, it twisted like an untamed river through the dense forest. To make it harder, the skies opened up, and heavy rain poured over us like blessings in disguise. My bike fought the curves bravely, tires dancing on the slick road, while I gripped the handles tighter — my eyes never leaving the trail ahead, and my wife holding me close from behind, her trust unshaken.Despite the ride’s danger, the scenery was breathtaking. Misty mountains, wrapped in clouds, stood tall like ancient guardians. Green valleys stretched below, wild and untamed. Each turn gave us a new canvas of colors — green, grey, gold, and deep blue.By the time we reached the base of the trekking trail, it was nearly dark. We were just the two of us, adventurers in love. We inquired with the locals about staying at the base camp overnight, but they denied permission — “Devotional reasons,” they said, and we respected that.So we took a few pictures — smiles with the wind, memories captured in pixels — and rode back down to the base camp. There, we found our own little spot and decided: This is where we make our night home.We unloaded our camping gear beside the bike, carefully setting up our tent under the twilight sky. The forest felt silent yet alive. As night fell, we sat close, cooked some hot Maggi, and shared it like a feast. It tasted better than anything five-star. The chill of the night wrapped around us, and the wind rocked our tent gently, singing lullabies through the trees. We drifted into sleep, wrapped in warmth and the wild. At 5 AM, the wind whispered us awake. The forest was still, covered in pre-dawn mist. We packed our tent, strapped our luggage to the bike, and prepared for the big part of our journey — the trek to the peak. At 6 AM, we fired up the engine again, hearts thumping like war drums, and by 7:30 AM, we stood at the foot of Mahendragiri,
ready to climb to the sky.
As the first light touched the hills, we were already geared up to hike. The mountain air was cold but filled with something more — spiritual energy. This wasn’t just a trek; it was a path walked by gods, sages, and warriors of the epic Mahabharata.Before beginning the climb, we visited two small temples at the base — one dedicated to Parashurama, the immortal sage-warrior, and another housing a Shiva Linga, said to be worshipped since ancient times. The aura around them was peaceful, and the silence spoke louder than words. Locals whispered stories of how the Pandavas, during their vanavasam (exile), stayed on Mahendragiri Hill — making each stone, each tree here part of their legacy.The trek began with a steady climb toward the Yudhishthira Temple, a small yet powerful shrine that feels frozen in time. Every step forward was a step deeper into history. From there, we moved towards our next spiritual stop — the Bhishma Temple, located on a nearby peak. The trail was steep, rocky, and mysterious. It felt like Bhishma himself had guarded this path with sacred silence.My wife, walking beside me, struggled through the tough inclines. Her steps slowed, the weight of the climb heavy on her, but her spirit remained strong. We paused, took breaths, shared water, and encouraged each other. And then — as if rewarded by the gods — we reached a viewpoint where the sunrise broke over the clouds, bathing the forest in golden light. We stood still. It was magical, and for a moment, the entire world disappeared.
But our journey wasn’t over.
Next was a longer, more challenging climb to the Kunti Devi Temple, located on another ridge connected to the same peak. The path twisted through dense foliage and rocky steps. Along the way, we passed several other sacred spots — a Hanuman Temple, a Naga Raj Temple, and a shrine dedicated to Garuda. Each one adding layers of devotion to our trail, reminding us why night stays at the peak are restricted by the locals — this is not just a hill; it’s a sacred realm.By the time we completed our circuit and stood at the highest point, the feeling was beyond words. My wife, now resting beside me, looked at the view with tearful eyes — not of exhaustion, but of fulfillment.
Mahendragiri didn’t just test our legs. It tested our spirit. And in the end, we didn’t conquer the mountain — we became a part of it.
“Every step on Mahendragiri isn’t just a climb — it’s a prayer in motion, a memory of myth, and a journey of the soul.”
Quote of the day:
“Some roads test your grip, some nights test your warmth, but every journey with the right one beside you — becomes unforgettable.”