Chilika Lake

Chilika Lake is a saltwater lake located on the eastern coast of India and is connected to Bay of Bengal. It is one of the largest brackish saltwater lagoons in Asia and second largest coastal lagoon in the world. Area of the lake lies on the eastern coastline of Puri, Khordha and Ganjam districts of Odisha, flowing into the Bay of Bengal and covers an area of over 1,100 square kilometers.

Location of Chilika Lake

Chilika Lake is located on the eastern coast of India in Odisha. The lake spreads across the Khurda, Puri, and Ganjam districts of Odisha. The lake covers an area of about 1,100 square kilometres.

Best Time to visit Chilika Lake

The best time to visit Chilika Lake is during Winter season from October to March. During winter the weather is pleasant and the lake is full of various migratory birds. You can watch more than 160 species of birds, including flamingos, pelicans, cranes, storks, herons, egrets, and more.

Facts about Chilika Lake

The famous Lake is a salt-water lake and is home to millions of migratory birds and endangered plants and animals.

The best season to visit this popular Lake is during the winter season from November to February, when the variety of migratory bird species are found. The lake is surrounded by many small islands including Honeymoon Island and Breakfast Island.

It is the largest wintering place for a great number of migratory birds. Birds from the Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, Aral Sea and from Central and Southeast Asia, Ladakh and Himalayas come here during Winter season which makes this Lake tourist destination. Some of the beautiful bird species found include White bellied sea eagles, Greylag Geese, Purple Moorhen, Jacana, Herons and Flamingos which makes the Lake attractive.

• It is a top tourist attraction of Odisha. Thousands of Tourists visit the danous lake every year and the beautiful scenery of nature and Irrawaddy dolphins near Satapada Island.
• This lake is divided into four zones, depending on the depth and salinity of the water in the central zone, southern zone, northern zone, and outer channel.
• In 1981, This famous Lake was declared Ramsar Convention Wetland of International Importance in India.
• Nalaban, Birds Islands, Krushnaprasad, Honeymoon Island, Breakfast Island, Somolo, and Kalijai are some of the prominent islands in the lagoon.
• In 1972, Nalaban Island and Chilka Lake bird sanctuary were protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• The lake is an important source of income for more than 0.2 million fishermen and the livelihood of about 132 nearby villages located on the coast of the lake.
• The best time to visit Chilika Lake is during winters from the month of November to February as nearly 225 bird species are found near the lagoons.
• This lake is home for rare species of fishing cats, also known as Baghadi or Macharanka Bilei.
• Numerous Migratory birds from Siberia, northern Eurasia, Kazakhstan, remote areas of Russia, Caspian region, neighbouring countries, and Lake Baikal visit this lake every year during Winter season and return before summer.

Top attractions in Chilika

Nalaban or Nalaban Island

Nalaban is situated in the middle of Chilika lake. This is a main point for thousands of resident and migratory birds. This is the top tourist attraction visited by many visitors.

Kalijai Temple or Kalijai Island Temple

Goddess Kalijai is one of the most visited points for tourists. The island is famous because of its beauty dedicated to Goddess Kalijai. The temple is located on the coast of Lake.

Satapada

Satapada is a major tourist attraction, its a part of South Eastern part of Chilika lake. Its also known as Sea Mouth as Sea meets Chilika Lake. This is also the house of Dolphin. Irrawaddy dolphins are found in Satapada.

Honeymoon Island Chilika

Honeymoon Island is situated in the Rambha Bay near Sankuda Island. This land is also called Barkuda Island. The island is mainly used as a picnic spot for tourists. The waters around the island are pure and clean.

Beacon Island

The Island is famous for its beauty. The water  around the Beacon Island is clean, which is surrounded by the Eastern Ghat, a famous tourist attraction.

Birds Islands

The Birds island is fully surrounded with Herbs, Shrubs, Trees and Creepers. The rocks of Island  are painted white because of the folic acid droppings from the birds. During winter, the migratory birds visit this land in a large number.

Mangalajodi

This is also famous for migratory  birds  which attracts a lot of Tourists every year. Every year during winters, the place is inhabited by a huge number of species of migratory birds along with the residential ones which makes the Island beautiful.

How to reach Chilika

Area of Chilika lake lies on the eastern coastline of Puri, Khordha and Ganjam districts of Odisha, flowing into the Bay of Bengal and covers an area of over 1,100 square kilometres. Reaching Chilika Lake is east. You will reach the destination with flights, trains, buses or your own vehicles from any part of the country.

Bhubaneshwar to Chilika distance is 60km only.

Puri to Chilika distance is 31km only.

By Air-Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar is the nearest Airport located to Chilika. Flights for all the major cities of India are available from this International airport. You can easily reach Bhubhneswar from any part of the country and you can reach Chilika through buses or cabs available at the airport.

By Rail- Balugaon Railway station and Puri Railway Station are the nearest Railway Stations to Chilika Lake. You can book a cab from these stations for Chilika lake.

By Road- Chilika Lake is well connected by major cities of Odisha through well constructed roads. In NH-5, there are a lot of Buses available from other major cities of Odisha. You can also book a cab or taxi to reach your destination.

Hotels near Chilika Lake

There are few hotels situated on the banks of the lake and two famous tourist bungalows known as Panthnivas at Rambha and Barkul. Number of rest houses and tourist lodges are also available at the shores of the lake.

FAQs