Chilika Lake Odisha Top Attractions , Things to do , Chilika lake Resort , Kalijai Temple
Chilika Lake is located at a distance of 44 km from Puri .Chilika Lake is Asia’s biggest inland saltwater lagoon situated near Satapada in Odisha . Located at the mouth of the Daya River , Chilika lake is the largest coastal lagoon in India and second largest saltwater lake in the world. The Lake studded with small small islands like Honeymoon island , Breakfast island . Chilika lake resort are providing all kind of tourism facilities , about which we have mentioned in this article .
NALABANA BIRD SANCTUARY
The Nalabana bird sanctuary is the core area of Chilika . The large Nalabana island covering about 16 km was declared a bird sanctuary in 1987.The island disappears during the monsoon due to inundation , only to emerge again post monsoon. Nalabana and Mangalajodi are the two major places in Chilika where the birds congregate. Migratory birds usually start arriving at chilika in November as it is a comparatively hospitable alternate habitat compared to the extreme freezing conditions in their naturals habitats in Siberia , China , Japan and other countries in the northern hemisphere . Nalabana is marked by poles with signboard that read ‘No fishing inside’ this island has been kept off-limits for tourists . It takes an hour and a half by speed boat from Barkul to reach this island. most tourists who come to Chilika watch the birds from a distance , from behind the marked periphery of the sanctuary.
Chilika received a record 10.47 lakh migratory birds birds of 181 species this year , an increase from last year’s figures of about 9.83 lakh birds of 147 species. Located at the middle of the Lake Nalabana’s bird count has also increased to about 3.93 lakh last year.
CHILIKA LAKE DOLPHINS (SATAPADA)
Satapada is the ultimate place to watch Irrawaddy dolphins . If you are lucky then you will able to see dolphins during your boat ride in Satapada . Since last few years this spot is a major tourist attraction because of the development of DOLPHIN SANCTUARY . The best timeof the day to take a boat ride in Satapada to watch dolphins is the morning . The heighest number of irrawaddy dolphins are seen in Chilika. The motor boat switch off the engine at the dolphin point and maintain a distance of 50 meter. You have to maintain silence at that point to see the dolphins. Maximum five boats are allowed at the same time near dolphins. The Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) organises Bhubaneswar -Puri-Satapada tours every month . Chilika Visitor center is situated at Satapada . You can see details about Cholika lake ex .. Fishing Techniques , Fishing communities , Details about birds visiting to Chilika and other wildlife attraction .
MAA KALIJAI TEMPLE
Island of Goddess Klijai is the most frequent spot for tourists . The island is famous as a centre of religious worship due to the temple of Kalijai . There is a story behind the place. A newly married girl named Jaai along with her father was going to meet her husband . As her in-law’s house was on an island in Chilika Lake .They had to take a boat ferry them across the lake . Odisha’s coast is very prone to to cyclone and during this boat trip they were encountered with a serve Cyclone , as a result their boat was capsized in the Chilika lake . All the boatman and her father survived this event except for the girl Jaai . They searched for her but they were unable to locate her. After this accidental death of that newly wed girl , she became the Goddess of people residing nearby and till now , she is worshiped as an Excerpt of Kali . And this is how the place got its name. MAA KALIJAI TEMPLE was built by Sri Jagannath Mansingh , king of Bankad (Banapur) in the year 1717.
MANGALAJODI
This is another bird’s paradise which has been attracting a lot of Tourists over the year . If you are a photographer who loves clicking varied wildlife in pristine locations , then do spend some time in Mangalajodi where you can get some wonderful pictures of birds . Every year during winters , the place is inhibited by nearly hundreds of species of migratory birds along with the residential ones and the sight of them together is truly captivating .
BOATING TO DIFFERENT ISLAND IN CHILIKA
Boating in CHILIKA was a very beautiful experience of my life. If you are going to Chilika i will suggest you that you most book a Boat for your group and visit to different island , you most be glad after visit island’s in Chilika. During boating you can see different kind of view of wildlife and flying birds.
FAMOUS FOOD DISHES AT CHILIKA DHABA
This is a very popular dhaba / hotel near chilika lake , the food is just super delicious and there is no compromise on quantity or quality . You can have different types of Fish item and prawns . So if you are going to chilika you most try to have Lunch or Diner at chilika dhaba .
Chilika Lake Resort
There are some resots are available at Chilika to stay .
1- Swosti Chilika Resort (RS 5,678 including all charges )
This is the most famous resort in Chilika . The management as well as the workers are friendly and makes you comfortable to stay there . You can also book rooms for marriage and honeymoon . If you will go their you can see another level of environment inside the resort .
There are also other Resorts and hotels are available
2- Daaven Chilika Resort (RS 6,716 including all charges )3-Chilika Island Resort (RS 6,718 including all charges )4-Mangalajodi Bird View Resort (RS 6,719 including all charges )5-OYO 24234 Hotel Payal and Resort( RS 1,960 including all charges )
You can also stay at government Panthanivas which is located at Barkul . (OTDC Panthanivas)
Best time to visit – Any time except monsoon
HOW TO REACH CHILIKA
BY AIR;
Bhubaneswar is the nearest Airport to Chilika . As there are no direct flight to chilika , one must arrive at Bhubaneswar before boarding a Taxi or Bus to Chilika .
BY RAIL;
Balugaon and Puri are the nearest Railway Stations to reach Chilika lake . You can also come to Bhubaneswar through Rail and come by Car or Bus to Chilika .
BY BUS;
In NH-5 , there are a lot of Buses from other major cities of India that are going along the route that helps one for their Chilika trip by Bus or by Cab , Taxi and solving the problem how to go to Chilika .
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