Nesling in the heart of coastal Orissa, Chilika is India's biggest inland lake. Spread over 1,100 square kilometres, it runs along the borders of three districts of Puri, 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 colourful names such as Honeymoon Island and Breakfast Island, Chilika is home to a rich variety of aquaticfauna. It is also a sanctuary and winter resort for migratory birds, some comingfrom asfar as Siberia.

Containing a large variety offish, the lakeprovides livelihood to thousands offishennen. 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 colourful best.

Encircled by hills all along its arched shape shores Chilika lake's colour changes with passing clouds and the shifting sun. The water ripples languidly, occasionally dancing with the breeze from across the Bay of Bengal.

Attractions Within the Lake

Nalabana
An asylum for long-range migrants in winter

Birds Islanui
A haven for resident and migratory birds

Kalijai
Abode of the island Goddess "Kalijai"

Satapada
An ideal place for viewing cavorting dolphins

Brahmapura
A place of scenic beauty.

Parikud & Malud
Colourful islands within the lake

Excursions

Nirmala Jhar - (11 km from Rambha and 21 km from Barkul)
A place of religious worship as well as a picnic spot of great interest.

Narayani - (10 km from Barkul and 22 km from Rambha)
By the side of a perennial stream, the shrine of Goddess Narayani adorns the place. It is also an ideal place for pleasure and relaxation.

Banpur - (13 km from Barkul and 8 km from Balugaon)
A centre of religious activities revolving the time-honoured shrines of Goddess Lbati and Dakshya-Prajapati.

Taptapani - (125 km from Barkul and 100 km from Rambha)
A pleasant health resort with a hot sulphur spring having medicinal properties. The water of the spring is channelised to bath - tubs of the Panthanivas for steam-bath.

Gopalpur - On - Sea - (75 km from Barkul and 60 km from Rambha)
An ancient sea-port, it is at present a favourite seaside resort.

How To Reach ThereApproach

Aiir :
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 of 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. Autorickshaws are available at Balugaon for Barkul.