When you leave the bustling Balasore and head towards the remote area of Remuna, the atmosphere begins to change. The smells of city living disappear, and there are now salty and pine aromas in the air. It is here you will discover Bagda. Just before you arrive at the expansive beach, you will pass a serene, small body of ocean water near the village area of Dublagadi. It is a natural lake, benefiting from the backwaters of the sea, and is believed to be the homely resting spot of the ocean’s tidal spirit prior to submerging back into the deep blue seas. The local people say that the lake remains calm regardless of the ocean’s crashing waves because of its location, which is only 200 meters from the shoreline. In the early hours of the morning, the sun makes this lake appear to have a thin layer of hammered silver. It is a breathtaking sight that indicates that you have arrived at one of the most unique ocean beaches within Balasore.
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ToggleLoud music and large hotels cannot be found at Bagda Bay. The area is largely undeveloped and has a lot of natural beauty due to its location between two enormous casuarina forests that form an immense, barrier-like structure, creating a shelter from rain and wind. The most fascinating aspect of Dublagadi beach is the thousands of red crabs found throughout the sand at low tide. These small crustaceans all move very quickly and appear to be creating a “red carpet” appearance across the golden beach. On my visit to Dublagadi, there were very few people except for one Tuesday morning in January, when we went to check out the area during the day. When you walk quietly, the crabs remain on the sand; however, if you make a loud noise, they will quickly disappear into the sand.
Seeing thousands of eyes watching you can seem overwhelming; however, once you take the time to appreciate how beautiful and interesting this area is, you will realise that these crabs have been guarding this stretch of Balasore since before humans populated this country.
At Dublagadi, the atmosphere at the beach makes you feel very much respected. You will not see anyone yelling or shoving people around. The fishermen in the area move through their routine in a slow and deliberate manner and often only use a few words; most of the time, they are simply enjoying the view of the sky and ocean. To them, while fishing, the Balasore sea beach is where they spend their time at home. When you are there, you may have the opportunity to see small groups of friends gathered together under the casuarina trees, sharing a simple meal consisting of rice and fish; everything they have left behind when they go home will not create any litter at all. The heart knows what the signs don’t say; therefore, while at Dublagadi, you will find one of the few places where you will have the chance to hear your own thoughts among the sound of the ocean waves.
If you’re looking for the best time to visit Bagda, go in the winter months, when the sun is pleasant, and the wind is cool. In the summer months, the sand will be painfully hot and hard on your feet. Bring sandals that you can easily remove or put on. The sand on the beach is soft, so my recommendation is to walk toward the water when the tide is low. The beach is very flat, and as such, the water goes out almost a mile at low tide. You’ll have an incredible sensation of damp sand between your toes as you walk toward the horizon. If you’re planning a day on the beach, bring your own drinking water and a small bag of snacks (such as fruit and chips) from Balasore, because the local stalls near the Dublagadi beach sell mostly very basic tea.
