Derjang reservoir is a hidden gem in the Angul district. It’s calm and lies beneath a large sky, with trees and fields all around, and is away from any traffic or sounds. People visit as the place has a quality of being unspoiled – there aren’t any crowds, simply room to take a breath. It’s liked for its calm, for the pretty water it offers to look at, and for the natural surroundings. Winter days bring more people, meaning it’s busier than it once was. Also, it gets more visitors following rainfall.
Initially, the Derjang dam was built to give farms a reliable water supply. As time went on, a large lake formed behind it – this is what people currently refer to as the Derjang Reservoir. A wide area of water, with green banks, has come to be something people are more and more interested in viewing. On winter mornings the reservoir is quiet, its surface is as smooth as glass. After the heavy rains of the monsoon, it becomes filled with lush greenery. The changing looks of Derjang dam Angul are what the seasons give it. Beauty isn’t in remaining the same, but in change.
A primary thing people like is the wide and calm setting. Past the dam, trees grow between small hills, and wide fields spread out under peaceful skies. Water can be heard nearby, and a clean breeze flows through the air, making everything seem slower.
Birds in groups meet by the bank when the sun comes up, or when it goes down, adding movement to the calm water. As a result, Derjang in Odisha is ideal for a slow walk in the greenery, or for stopping to photograph things.
Over the years the dam has become a popular picnic spot in Angul. Weekends we see a steady stream of local folks which is drawn by the peace that the river brings. During holidays large groups show up with coolers full of that morning’s cooking. Once you step onto the sand by the water, time seems to slow. Laughter echoes here better than at home. Besides the open space which is all it is, this place does great with small groups which never seems to fill up. Still we ask that what you bring in you take out, care for the natural setting here so Angul’s quiet picnic area remains the same.
What sets Derjang Reservoir apart? its simplicity. Here we don’t find business hustle or flashy attractions. Stillness envelops you, wide and quiet. This place near Angul doesn’t scream, it breathes. Away from the daily grind it holds out a moment of peace. A break like this is hard to come by. Open skies replace schedules. You arrive worn out.
