Chandipur was one of the pitstops I made during my bike trip from Kolkata to Nagpur. I was going back after IRS On the Job Training. I decided to waive off the government TA and ride my bike from Kolkata to Nagpur. My scheduled stops were at Chandipur-Bhubaneswar-Sambalpur and Raipur
Every day, in the morning and evening, the sea recedes three to four Kilometres in Chandipur during the low tide, this exposing the underlying mudflats. It is an extraordinary sight and is one of the most beautiful beaches I have been to. The beach is present in Chandipur only during the low tide. The rest of the time, it is only a narrow opening to the sea.during the low tide, you will be able to listen to the distant rumbling of the sea. However, the beach will be right in front of you.
The mudflats that have been exposed will be having a wavy pattern, beaten into them by the cradling of the waves. At many points, you’ll see sea water trapped and small fishes swimming around in the ankle deep water. There will be hermit crabs, walking around and they seem shy to make any contact with you.
I was surprised to see that no vegetation is there underneath. I thought that at least some sea weed should be growing at this level. But I couldn’t find any.
A disheartening sight was the plastic that is exposed at the sea bed. You see first hand how pollution reaches even these seemingly unreachable areas. Plastic bottles and Gutkha packets can be seen lying around at the sea bed.
The best thing is however, when the high tide starts. Unlike in other places where there is a sudden upswell of water, here the sea slowly starts coming in. You can actually start towards the shore from 3 kilometres in, and the sea starts following you. You will almost feel like Moses, where the water starts falling behind you.
Chandipur is a very romantic spot. You can kiss your lover under the full moon with the sea at a distance, surrounded by mudflats and not a person at sight for a long distance. It is one of the most romantic settings I have been to.
(All pictures were taken by me during the trip)