Chilika

          Nestling in the heart of coastal Orissa, Chilika is India's  biggest inland lake. Spread over 1,100 square kilometers, it runs along the borders of three  districts of Pun, Khurda and Ganjam and finally joins the Bay of Bengal through a narrow mouth, forming an enormous lagoon of brackish water. Dotted with many emerald green islands with colorful names such as Honeymoon Island and Breakfast Island, Chilika is home to a rich variety of aquatic fauna. It is also a sanctuary and winter resort for migratory birds, some coming from as far as Siberia.

Containing a large variety of fish, the lake provides livelihood to thousands of fishermen. Hundreds of boats sail out daily on the lake s blue expanse in search of mackerel, prawn and crabs- the sight providing an insight into the pageant of rural India at its colorful best.

Encircled by hills all along its arched shape shores Chilika lake color changes with passing clouds and the shifting sun. The water ripples languidly, occasionally dancing with the gentle breeze from across the Bay of Bengal. Chilika was declared a sanctuary in 1987. Winter is the loveliest time to visit Chilika with thousands of migratory birds flying in from as far as Siberia, Iran Ladakh, the Caspian Sea, Russia and other countries to make it their winter sojourn. A real paradise for bird watchers, Chilika offers visitors a spectacular display of its colourful avian charms in a thousand different hues.

Among the variety of birds, you can get to see the white Bellied sea Eagle, the Grey-Legged Geese, Purple Moorhen, Flamingos, Pelican among others.
 

Attractions within the Lake

  Nalabana
  An asylum for long-range migrants in winter
  Birds Island
  A haven for resident and migratory birds
  kalijai
  Abode of the island Goddess " kalijai".
  Satapada
  An ideal place for viewing cavorting dolphins
  Parikud & Malud
  Colourful islands within the lake

Way to Lake

Air - Bhubaneswar is the nearest airport- 105 Km from Barkul and 130 Km from Rambha and 110 Km from satapada. Indian Airlines has flights from Delhi, Calcutta, Visakhapatnam, raipur, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Chennai.

Rail - The Calcutta - chennai rail route of South Eastern railway touches Chilika lake at Balugaon, Chilika, Khallikote and Rambha. The nearest Railway Station for Barkul is at balugaon (5 Km) and for Satapada, at Puri (50 Km).

Road - The Chennai bound N.H.No.5 linking Calcutta-Cuttack-Bhubaneswar-Balugaon-Barkul-Rambha-Berhampur and Visakhapatnam runs along the lake. Buses and taxis to Chilika are available at Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Puri and Berhampur.