Chilika the largest Brackish water Lake in India

Chilika lagoon, the largest brackish water lake, is located in the heart of the state of Orissa and is spread over 1100 square kilometers. The name Chilika conjures up shimmering waters of the lake, elegant siberian cranes scrumptious crabs and lobsters, playful dolphins and a host of fishing boats as well as the beautiful ad enchanting view of the setting sun.

Chilika Lake is encircled by the jagged blue hills and has got many small islands with fanciful names, like, Honeymoon, Kalijai, Nalabana, Breakfast, Bird Island etc. Among these small islands Kalijai is famous for the temple with Kalijai as the presiding deity and is a much favoured pilgrimage spot. Makar mela is held in January every year in the Kalijai temple.

You can enjoy boat rides to Satapana which is said to be the best for sighting dolphins and Nalabana which is the place for bird watching. You can see about 211 species of birds which come to Chilika from other parts of the world like Siberia, Mongolia, Central nd south east AsiaLadakh and the Himalayas. Mangalajodi is another birds paradise on Chilika. You can see egrets, swallows,Kingfishers and cormorants there

Barkul and Ramba are two other islands in the Chilika Lake which is said to the best for relaxation as well as enjoy the blue Lagoon. Chilika is a living lagoon with the rich plant life and fishing grounds that it attracts and becomes a water fowl habitatfor the birds and a relaxing quiet retreat for the humans away from the maddenning city life.

Chilka Lake is spread over the three district, Khurda, Ganjam and Puri of the state of Orissa. Balugaon and rambha are the two towns which serve as the entry points to the Chilika Lake. If you are travelling by air, you have to reach Bhubaneswar which is 120 kilometers away. You can get cabs, buses, trains from Bhubaneswar to the Chilika Lake. If you are travelling by rail the nearest stations are Balugaon and Rambha. Balugaon is the nearest at about 90 kilometers from Chilika, you can get bus transport oe cabs from the station to reach Chilika. Rambha railway station is about 120 kilometers from Chilika

To get around in the area auto rickshaws and cabs are available OTDC Orissa Tourism and Development corporation has made motorboats and local boatmen available to access all the islands.You can hire them at Barkul and rambha. A special tour is also operated by OTDC between Barkul and Kalijai. For more details contact the OTDC authorities at the below mentioned address.

Chilika Development Authority

Plot No. C-11 , BJB Nagar, Bhubaneswar - 751014

Orissa , India

Tel - 91 674 2434044/2436654

Fax - 91 674 2434485

Email: chilika@chilika.com