Nearly twenty years ago I and my college friend visited a place called Taptapani. It is situated among the Eastern Ghat Hills in Orissa. You have to take a bus from Bhubaneswar or Cuttack to reach Taptapani. You may also take local buses from Gopalpur that was famous for its sea beach. If you start from Bhubaneswar it will take nearly 4 to 6 hours by private cars or buses.
We traveled from Bhubaneswar to Gopalpur. Stayed there for a night and then the next morning visited Taptapani.
Taptapani is renowned for its hot spring and is a common tourist destination in Eastern India. This place is encircled by hills and covered by lush green forest. At least that was the case when we visited. Taptapani also has a guest house controlled by the Odissa Tourism Development Corporation. I think now there are many more options to stay. But at that time it was the only option. As Taptapani was not in our original tour plan we had to stay in a tent carried by us from our home. At those time both of us were studying in Bhubaneswar.
This place is frequented by Elephants and Bears. But other than the animals, the place is serene, peaceful, and sacred. You can also find a monastery if you walk a few steps more toward the peak of the hill.
We arrive at the location in the evening and took a bath in the hot spring where the temperature of the water is tolerable. After taking a bath in the hot spring's warm water, we wandered around and found a spot to set up our tent that was only 40–50 steps away. Keeping the hills in the background and with the help of three trees we set up our camp. At the time we finish our installation, it was nearly 6:30 pm and the sun has set on the horizon. But still, there was light. We decided to finish our cooking before darkness descended on the area. As there is a chance of trespassers like the bear and elephants. They often give a visit to fulfill their desire of having easy food from the campers.
I would also like to emphasize that we are the only campers in the area. Although this place is a popular location for weekend camping. But somehow that night we are the only ones living in the jungle.
That is why, the local people warned us about the attacks from the wild animals and ask us to keep the lights on both inside and outside the camp. Some of them also suggested that we keep the fire going even after we finished cooking.
It was a peaceful night without any disturbance.
The temperature was extremely soothable. It was Amabasya, so there is no moon in the sky. It was complete darkness. Just me and my friend chatting with each other which was also the only sound we can hear.
Around ten pm we finished our dinner and after doing the usual chores of the night we enter our camps. Now the winds are flowing at a high speed. However, no storms or rain are expected today, according to the weather forecast. But in those days we assume the opposite of whatever the IMD predicted and often these assumptions come true.
...Click here to read the Story of the Screeching sound in Hotspring.
