Just South of Puri in Orissa there lies the largest brackish water lake in Asia.It opens to the Bay of Bengal by a narrow opening in its miles long barrier spit and there is very little exchange of elements between the lagoon and the sea.Chilka Lake is very shallow with an average depth of half meters but in some places it is as deep as 3 meters.

The Chilka lagoon has 150 species of birds out of which 100 are inter continental water birds.Around the Chika Lagoon there are around 100 villages.With around 100 000 people in these villages the lagoon becomes the main source of life for these villagers.The lagoon involves immense areas of marshes lowlands and islands.With more than 150 varieties of fishes the Chilka Lagoon also becomes the main source of food.

A number of small islands dot the Chilka Lake.On the one side of the lake there are the huge mountains and on the other side are the Green Trees.The lagoon was made by the sitting action of the Mahanadi River.The area of the Lake changes every year with 1165 sq kms in the winters and 90sq kms in the summers.The shores of Chilka are also the place where Bodhisatva sat in Samadhi for a short duration.For this reason too the Chilka Lake has a lot of religious significance.

There is also the Chilka Wildlife Sanctuary which is home to numerous species.The Chilka Wildlife Sanctuary attracts a lot people because of the range of fauna found here.Some of the species found here include Irrawaddy Dolphin prawns crabs the limbless lizard and crustaceans.There are also more than 225 species of fish found in the Wildlife Sanctuaries Chilka Lake.

Chilka Lake also offers boating facilities.Barkul Rambha Balugaon and Satpada are the bases for visiting Chilika from where boats can be hired.Near the Chilka Lake there is the Island called Nalbana Island filled with cheetals black bucks monkeys fishing cats snakes turtles mongoose porcupines.It is here where one can also see Dolphins coming out and going in the deep waters.This place is best for the kids to see.

How To Reach :-

1. By Air :-

Bhubaneshwar is the only airport 100 kms away One will have to hire cab to get to Chilka Lake.

2. By Rail :-

Balugaon is the nearest railway station – 5 kms away.Several express and passenger trains touch this station.

3. By Road :-

NH5 runs along the lake and brings you to Barukul.

Tourist Destinations :-

1. Kalijai Island :-

Its the Island where Makar Sankranti is celebrated.Its the Island where the sailors sail their boats at an immense speed to win the race.Its the happening Island of Chilka Lake the Kalijai Island.

2. Bhuvneshwar City :-

Known as the City of Temples Bhuvneshawar is the place for the religious kinds.With one of the best Temples of Orissa this city is a place worth visiting.

3. Gopalpur Beach :-

16 kilometers from Berhampur the Gopalpur Beach is the best beach around.Being the most popular beach of all the beaches Orissa has Goplapur Beach has all which can be found in a good beach.