So there was this one idle day when I didn't feel like moving a limb. Now when the dominant mood is this, waves upon waves of feelings generally wash down upon us. For those with an intellectual bend of mind, these could range from ennui to void to retrospection to nostalgia.
People like me, however, with slightly baser levels of thought get to deal with two overwhelming feelings- laziness, closely followed by hunger.
And this was also one such day when I didn't have anything specific to do in my city. What I did then, was- I packed my bags and rode off to Bramhapur, which incidentally happens to be a town I adore.
Now, it's no secret that people in Odisha have been waiting for a KFC outlet in their town since the Dark Ages. It hasn't happened yet, but instead of being a sourpuss, some guy has atleast up and done something about it.
So, instead of waiting for KFC, they have opened up a fried chicken joint that, if not better, is at par with the brand it's competing with.
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| Latest pictures of Taptapani, Ganjam: Got the punch, eh? ha ha :) |
The chicken is juicy and piping hot. I have tried their burger and let me be honest with you- that's not the best bun you would find. I would suggest you to just stick to the fried chicken and you will not be disappointed.
Those looking for the quintessential KFC experience, however, will feel slighted with the desserts and stuff but then, as I said- stick to fried chicken, and you won't be disappointed a bit. In fact, you will feel the taste channeling Broaster more, with their hot spices and aroma. And God knows that I prefer Broaster to KFC any given day.
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| Latest pictures of Taptapani, Ganjam: Looks familiar, doesn't it, KFC-eaters? ha ha! |
So, if any of you chance to drive/ride by Bramhapur, do check this place out. You won't regret the decision; you may, however, regret the exxxxtraa calories! ha ha ha :D
And after that, I planned to check out the famous hot-water spring in Ganjam, that is eponymously referd to as Taptapaani.
This was on our way. A huge tree uprooted and blown away by the deadly winds of Phailin. It is said that this tree is lying atleast ten to twenty feet away from its original location.
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| Effects of Phailin on Bramhapur- A huge tree uprooted by the brutal force of wind. |
This is the entrance to Taptapani. You will find wares of varying prices around the entrance.
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| Latest pictures of Taptapani, Ganjam: The entrance to Taptapani |
Taptapani is basically a hill all over. So the journey back to Bramhapur took half the fuel that was needed to reach here. It was all a long, winding downward slope.
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| Latest pictures of Taptapani, Ganjam: Way to Taptapani |
The parking lot at Taptapani. Looks like a lost place, doesn't it? :)
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| Latest pictures of Taptapani, Ganjam: Parking lot at Taptapani |
And this is the first of the many temples you will find in the surrounding. However, this one holds special esteem as the geyser sprouts from the center of this temple.
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| Latest pictures of Taptapani, Ganjam: The interior of the temple at Taptapani |
And this is the second temple. Nice one. And breath-taking scenery inside.
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| Latest pictures of Taptapani, Ganjam: The scenery of Taptapani |
And there it is! The mother-lode! This is the place where the underground water surfaces. You can check out the ripples on the surface of water.
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| Latest pictures of Taptapani, Ganjam: The hot-water spring at Taptapani |
These three seemed to have come to the mutual agreement and decision that if there's no fun available for the kids, they will find some way.
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| Latest pictures of Taptapani, Ganjam: Natural vegetation at Taptapani |
Hot spring. How adequate a name... Once in, you WILL spring, all right.
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| Latest pictures of Taptapani, Ganjam: Entrance of Taptapani |
Although, I must admit that on first sight, the place looked dirty enough to have hosted World War-II. Thankfully, the geyser area is not that unhygienic but you might still need either a strong motivator or a bottle of Rophenol to convince yourself to enter the bathing spot.
That said, after entering the pool, you will just have to let your body get used to the temperature of the water, and then you won't ever want to get out of the pool.
They say the waters here have a therapeutic effect on skin. Some people claim to have gained a glowing skin and some claim to have got rid of their skin diseases by taking a dip here. That might just be all the motivation you need.