Chilika Bird Sanctuary
103KM per person
| Bhubaneswar |  |
Chilika | ≈ 3Hrs 2Mins |
| Bhubaneswar |  |
Chilika | ≈ 1Hrs 58Mins |
Entry fee : Free
WHAT TO EXPECT INSIDE :
Things to Do
- Chilika is best explored by boat and most of the popular destinations within the lagoon can be covered in a day. However, an overnight stay is recommended. It is possible to hire boats from Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC). Guides can be hired from any of the entry points: Barkul, Satpada, Rambha and Balugaon. Many of them are boatmen-cum-guides.
- Barkul is the most convenient base for exploring Chilika. All tourists congregate here, however, those looking for solitude head for Rambha. Balugaon city and railhead are also close by (6km and 8km respectively). Public transport is available here.
- Speedboat fee ₹ 1,500 per hour (10-seater). Ferry services are run by the Inland Water Transport Depart-ment, from the mainland to the inhabited islands. There are many private boats as well. A visit to Nala-bana and Kalijai may cost about ₹ 3,000 per hour (in a 10-seater)
In ancient times, Chilika was a flourishing port, a major gateway to distant lands. Traders sailed from Odisha to Southeast Asian islands such as Java and Sumatra and Sri Lanka. Even today, a festival of sailing colourful, fancy paper boats, locally referred to as biota bandana, is celebrated on the day of Kartik Purnima, to mark that golden age of maritime traditions.
Ever-varying in dimension, the lake is affected by the flow of two major rivers, Daya and Bhargavi, and many small rivulets. When the monsoon retreats, saline water from the Bay of Bengal fills up the lake. The cyclic presence of both fresh water and saline water supports a diverse range of aquatic life.
The Chilika Lagoon is 64km in length, while its width varies between 18km and 5km. The lagoon has many islands, some of which are uninhabited. Nalabana Island, in the centre of the lake, is a bird sanctuary. Rambha Island lies in the southwest portion of the lake while Barkul is close to the centre. Between the two lie Barakuda and Pathra. Satpada is in the east.
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Destination
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Departure Time
Approximately 8:30 PM. -
Dress Code
Casual. Comfortable athletic clothing, hiking shoes, hat and warm jacket.
From Our Gallery
Chilika Bird Sanctuary
Making a fantastic residing option at the vicinity of Chilka Lake is really very exciting. The ambience and the locality can impel anyone to extend their stay by getting impressed with great residing options. There are a few hotels on the banks of the lake and two tourist bungalows (the `Panthnivas' at Rambha and Barkul) that have stunning views and a relaxed vacation ambience. A number of state-run as well as privately-operated rest-houses and tourist lodges also dot the shores of the lake, and tariffs vary considerably, depending upon the facilities offered.
