A day after thousands of live sea snails were found scattered along Puri beach, several dolphins were spotted swimming close to the shoreline on Wednesday, creating a rare spectacle and drawing large crowds of tourists and locals.
Eyewitnesses reported that at least four to five dolphins were seen surfacing repeatedly along the busy Puri seashore before moving towards the Chandrabhaga side. The dolphins were visible for brief intervals as they surfaced and dived back into the sea, prompting visitors to gather along the beach to catch a glimpse of the marine mammals.
While dolphin sightings are common in Chilika Lake, locals noted that spotting them so close to Puri’s crowded shoreline is relatively uncommon. Some residents believe the dolphins may have strayed from Chilika, where Irrawaddy dolphins are frequently seen.
The dolphin sightings came just a day after an unusual marine event in which thousands of live sea snails were found along the same stretch of beach. The back-to-back occurrences have triggered widespread curiosity and speculation among locals and tourists about possible environmental, tidal, or climatic factors influencing marine life movement.
However, authorities and marine experts have not issued any official statement explaining the cause behind the unusual marine activity. The sightings have added to the intrigue surrounding the holy coastal town of Srikhetra, as visitors continue to throng Puri beach hoping to witness another rare natural spectacle.
