My first brush with the Gangetic river dolphins (locally called Taal Bhosh) was as a little girl. They left me star struck. No trip to the Ganges river would be complete without looking out for them.

My grandfather’s home is by the river Ganga, in a quaint, little town called Katwa, district Burdwan (in the Eastern periphery of India.) Back in those days, the Gangetic river dolphins ruled the river. I could spend hours by the banks, watching them come up for air, play and somersault.

On many occasions, the kids and elders of our family would go for the much awaited boat ride with jhal muri* and snacks in tow. There would be melodious singing, animated conversations and ample laughter, as the boat meandered into the depths of the Ganga. My little soul paid no heed to any of that. All I craved was the somersaulting river dolphins to make an appearance. When they did, I would be their most attentive audience.

I didn’t see them for almost twenty years. Their numbers have been dwindling, as the river gets choked with pollutants, and human interference. My attempts to watch them from the river banks went to nought. Neither a boat ride guaranteed a show up.

July 2025

We are visting our ancestral home.

I ask cousin who lives there, “Where can I see the Taal bhosh (dolphins)? I haven’t forever. They are my core memory from the yesteryears.“

“Shakai ghat**! We can go tomorrow, but has to be early morning. They do show up a lot there,” informs my cousin.

I am beyond delighted.

The Dolphins

The next morning, we walk down to Shakai ghat, hoping to meet my precious spirit animals. I have missed them sorely.

We get on to a gargantuan motor boat. This boat ferries people, including office goers back and forth; from other townships, across the river.

The boat anchors off the bank and starts moving as its motor pulsates to a loud blare. Then, suddenly with a quite whimper it stops. By then we are in the middle of the river.

“There’s an issue with the motor,” announces the boatman. I call this “divine intervention”.

As the boat silently floats on the river, I notice sudden movement. A Gangetic dolphin flips up. Then there are two! Three! And four! They tumble around playfully.

My cousin points to more in the opposite direction.

Ecstatic I whip up my camera, but the dolphins nudge me:

“Be in the moment. Enjoy our presence, while we are here. Stay with us an observer.”

The motor comes back to life in a few minutes. Yet, they continue to show up. Oblivious to its loud sound.

When we return from the from other side of the shore, there are bicycles, motorbikes and scooters on our boat!

My heart is full. Witnessing the playful Gangetic dolphins has been my high point. It’s made up for those two decades.

Their guidance and playful presence will remains etched in my minds eye.

Until, I go back to visit them again.🐬🐬

Feature image credits: Sumanta Pramanick, The Telegraph. Shakai Ghat (above) Credits : Krishna Gopal De

Jhaal muri* – Spicy puffed rice

Ghat** – a river bank/landing, quay

#DidYouKnow: Gangetic River dolphins are India’s national aquatic animals.

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I am participating in the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2026, and my theme is Nature’s Voice – Notes from Nature.

As a Telepathic Animal & Nature Communicator, and an avid nature lover, I receive plenty of messages and downloads from the animal and plant world, landscapes, water bodies, as well as aquatic life. I shall take you through a fascinating journey, where we shall connect and communicate with all things non-human, but as a humans. Together, we shall also appreciate nature’s offerings.

Telepathic Animal & Nature communication is an intuitive, two way exchange of information through words, emotions, feelings and images between humans and other species/nature. This transcends the barrier of a verbal dialogue and language, helping humans understand animals, nature (trees, landscapes, water bodies) and foster deeper connections. A professional Animal and Nature communicator is also known as an Animal and Nature Whisperer.