Chilika, a shallow, brackish-water, lake



Chilika, a shallow, brackish-water, lake in Asia covering an area of over 1,100 sq. km, and nestling in the heart of coastal Orissa, is a queen of natural beauty, lying 100 km from Bhubaneswar. The lake is a great tourist attraction with bird watching, fishing and boating. The lake is also dotted with many islands such as honeymoon, Kalijai Island, Nalaban (Island ofreed), Bird Island, Breakfast Island, Parikud Island, etc. a few of which are occupied by fisherman who scour the waters for prawn, mackerel and crab. The queen of natural beauty is called the hotspots of biodiversity in the country, and a few vulnerable, rare and endangered species, which have been listed in the IUCN Red List of threatened Animals can be found in the Lake area for a part of their life cycle at least.





(1) Places of tourist interest in Chilika:



(a) Kalijai Island, Honeymoon Island, Breakfast Island, Birds Island, Nalabana (Island of Reeds), Parikud Island, etc. are a few of the interesting and major spots inside the lake.

(b) The Island of Kalijai is known as the central point for religious worship owing to the temple of Goddess Kalijai where goes on Makara Sankranti that comes in January every year.

(c) The Island of Nalabana, 8 km in perimeter is dwelt with a distinctive place in the vast expanse of Chilika Lake, as it happens to be the central point for the migratory birds. One can view dolphins in their natural habitat at the mouth of Chilika near Satpada.



(2) How to go: By air to Bhubaneswar (Chilika is around 100 kms from Bhubaneswar), road and rail.



(3) Where to stay: Stay arrangements can be done with the local hotels and in the OTDC Panthanivas, at Rambha, Barkul and Satpada on Chilika.



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