post news network, Bhubaneswar, April 24: For many youngsters, bike lovers, students studying at the various educational institutions across the city and families staying in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, the famous Naraj Bridge over the mighty Mahanadi River in Mundali has in the last few years turned out to be a perfect spot to spend a Saturday or a Sunday evening. Scores of people often descend on the site, just 35 kms from Bhubaneswar, to get a glimpse of the mighty river and soak in the scenic beauty that the rolling river has lent the area around.
Many makeshift shops selling tea, cold drinks, snacks and other products and a few carts selling ice creams at the banks of the river try to match up with the expectations and needs of the visitors. Many a time, several visitors, while passing by, are compelled to stop to click pictures and appreciate the prevailing natural beauty of the area around.
“The Naraj bridge area on Mahanadi is an awesome place to visit. I visit the place with my friends on our bikes whenever we get some free time. The scenic beauty appeals to all the people passing through the area. The best part of this place is its proximity to Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. Bikers never mind travelling 30-35 kms to get a glimpse of breathtaking scenic beauty. However, during monsoons the beauty of this place grows manifold,” said Debasis Mahapatra, a computer science student at the International Institute of Information Science in Bhubaneswar.
Like Debasis many other people often flock to the site to spend some quality time amidst tranquility. Many families also love to spend some time during their weekend holidays at the site. “I love coming to the site during evenings with my children. I come at least once a month. This site is around 20 kms from Nandankanan Zoo. My kids, after completing their tour of the zoo, compel me to come here. I believe it is a perfect weekend getaway for families,” says Sujay Maharana, a banker from Bhubaneswar.
The place in Cuttack district also has many additional attractions to woo the visitors. Visiting the few temples situated on the banks of the river often gives the visitors an additional reason to visit the place. Besides, the stairs at the bridge end facilitates easy entry of visitors from bridge end to the river site. To explore the sand beds, which have arisen out of the belly of the river, become an added attraction to the young adventurers visiting the site.
“We love to take photographs of the river site and upload it on social networking sites. Often we venture into the nearby areas in order to follow the trajectory of the river. I along with my group of friends assemble here to spend some time away from studies. No one can desist visiting the place after seeing the place once,” said Ajit Singh, a BTech student from KIIT.
