The moment we reached Digha, the beauty of the place stole my heart. The waves of the sea came rushing towards us with wild joy, and the white foam splashed onto the bonnet of our car again and again, soaking it completely. It felt as if the sea itself was calling out to us — “Come closer… come play with me… come lose yourself in my endless waves.”

Hearing the name “Marine Drive” always brings to mind the iconic, glittering arc of Mumbai, so discovering that Digha has its very own coastal stretch was a beautiful surprise. Driving along this scenic four-kilometre road connecting New Digha to Udaipur Beach felt incredibly liberating. On one side, a dense canopy of deep green casuarina trees frames the route, while on the other, the vast expanse of the Bay of Bengal stretches out to the horizon.

Fishermen pulling in nets at sunrise on Digha Beach, capturing a serene coastal scene. Photo: Pexel

Rolling down the windows to let the cool, salty sea breeze rush in made the entire journey feel like an open invitation to slow down and take in the coast. It is a spectacular addition to the town, turning a simple drive between beaches into a memorable scenic experience of its own.

But what touched me even more deeply was the Jagannath Temple of Digha. Standing in front of the temple felt calm and comforting, almost as if time had slowed down for a while. Its beautiful structure, inspired by the famous Jagannath Temple, carried both devotion and art in every detail. The peaceful atmosphere around the temple made the heart feel lighter, as though all the noise of life had stayed far away.

Jagannath Temple in Digha. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Walking past the grand Aruna Stambha and through the Chaitanya Dwar, I found myself surrounded by magnificent Kalinga architecture, where every block of Rajasthan sandstone and the multi-tiered Jagamohana hall felt like a direct bridge to the ancient traditions of Puri.

Inside the serene inner sanctum, looking upon the beautifully consecrated deities carved from pristine marble and sacred neem wood, the typical beach-town bustle completely vanished, replaced by an overwhelming sense of peace and deep coastal devotion.

What makes Digha truly special is how beautifully nature and spirituality exist together. On one side, the restless waves continue their endless journey, while on the other, the temple stands quietly with grace and faith. That contrast itself feels poetic.

And yes, when the time came to leave Digha behind, my heart became unbearably heavy. Suddenly, a drop of salty water fell onto my hand. I touched it to my lips and realized it was salty.

Jagannath Temple in Digha. Photo: Sraboni Dey

But how could there be salty water now? We had already left the sea far behind.

Then I understood… those drops were not from the ocean. They were my tears.

This journey was not only about travelling to a new place; it was about feeling something beautiful without even trying to explain it. Even now, when I think about Digha, I remember the sound of the sea, the calmness of the temple, the magic of Marine Drive, and the quiet happiness that stayed with me long after I returned home.

Sraboni Dey is a Kolkata-based travel enthusiast.