Chilka Lake (also Chilika Lake) is a brackish water coastal lake in Orissa state, south of the mouth of the Mahanadi River. It is the largest coastal lake in India. Chilka lake was formed due to the silting action of the Mahanadi River, which drains into the northern end of the lake, and the northerly currents in the Bay of Bengal, which have formed a sandbar along the eastern shore leading to the formation of a shallow lagoon. The area of the lake varies from 1165 km² in the monsoon season to 906 km² in the dry season, and is studded with numerous small islands. The larger islands lie between the sandbar and the lake, separated by shallow channels, and include Parikud, Phulbari, Berahpura, Nuapara, Nalbana, and Tampara. These islands, together with the peninsula of Malud, constitute the Krushnaprasad revenue block of Puri District. The open air and scenic natural flora and fauna of Krushnaprasad are an attraction for tourists and visitors. The north shore of the lake is part of Khordha District, and the western shore is part of Ganjam District.
The lake is an important habitat and breeding ground for both resident and migratory
and aquatic birds, most notably flamingoes. Migratory birds arrive in October from as
far away as Siberia, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan and the Himalaya, and generally stay until
March. Part of the lake is protected by the Chilka Lake Bird Sanctuary, which harbors
over 150 migratory and resident species of birds. The Nalaban Island within the
lagoon is classified as a Bird Sanctuary under the wildlife protection act. The lake is
also home to a diverse range of aquatic life, including 225 species of fish and the
Irrawaddy Dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris). The rare limbless lizard Barkudia insularis
is endemic to one of the lake's small islands.
PLACE TO VISIT
Nalabana – a forest of reeds and resting place for migratory birds in winter.
Bird Island – watch birds in their natural habitat.
Kalijai – abode of Godess Kalijai. Pilgrims flock here in January during Makar
Mela (at the time of Makar Sankranti) to pay obeisance to the Goddess.
Satapada - dolphins may possibly be seen here
Brahmaputra - The place is known for its scenic beauty.
Some of the other islands.
If you are staying for 1 day extra.Then you can visit some more places near by
Balugaon and Banpur.You can visit famous places like Narayani Temple,Bhagawati
Temple at Banpur and a dam constructed ove river Salia known as Salia Dam for
scenic view.
HOW TO REACH
By air – the nearest airport is Bhubaneswar, about 120 km away.
By rail – the nearest rail stations is at Balugaon, on the Howrah-Chennai track.
From Balugaon buses are available to the lake.
Some of the trains which stop at Balugaon are: 6003/6004 Howrah Chennai Mail,
2703/2704 Faluknama Express, 8645/8646 East Coast Express, 6358/6357
Gurudev Express, 2863/2864 Howrah Yeshvantpur Express, 5228/5227 Muzaffarpur
Yeshvantpur Express (weekly), 2508/2507 Guwahati Ernakulam Express (weekly),
2530/2509 Guwahati Bangalore Express (triweekly), 5628/5627 Guwahati
Trivandrum Express (weekly).
For timings etc. check with Indian Railways.
By road – a part of Chilka lake is visible from NH5 and the Howrah-Chennai train
track.
