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Chilika Lake, popularly known as Chilka, the queen of natural scenery in Odisha, also known as the Swiss-lake in the continent. Nestling in the heart of coastal Odisha, Chilika is India's biggest inland lake. Spread over 1165 square kilometres during the monsoon season and 906 square kilometres during dry season, 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. Chilika is the largest brackish water lagoon of Asia situated on east coast of India. It is situated between 19028' and 19054' North latitude and 85005' and 5038' East longitude.
Due to its high productive ecosystem, rich biodiversity and socio-economic importance, Chilika was designated as a Ramsar Site in October 1981, under the convention of wetlands of international importance.
Chilika lake has been declared as 'Destination Flyway' by the United Nation's World tourism Organisation (UNWTO) because of its natural treasure and biodiversity.
Mangalajodi freshwater wetland and Nalabana Island which form part of the Chilika lake have been identified as Important Bird Areas (IBA).
Enriched by picturesque hills all along its arched shape, its colour changing in Kalidoscopic glory with passing clouds and the moving Sun, its body rolling in languid abandon, excited by the gentle breeze wafted from the Bay of Bengal. It is said that any visit to Puri remains incomplete without a visit to Chilika Lake. Chilika provides an opportunity to visit nature and natural beauties through its vast coverage of bluish water, small green mountains and islands in it and the clean bluish sky with floating clouds. Hundreds of boats sail out daily on the lake's blue expanse in search of fish, prawn and crabs. This sight providing an insight into the pageant of rural India at its colourful best. That is why Chilika has attracted many poets, nature lovers, bird watchers and even the general public and tourists every year.
Chilika Lake bird sanctuary
Since the lake is located on the east coast of India and has large water bodies, the place is a heaven for migratory and resident birds. In winter Chilika lagoon flutters with thousands of migratory birds and water-fowls from as far as the Siberia, Iran, Caspian Sea, Lake Baikal, Aral Sea, remote parts of Russia, Kirghiz steppes of Mongolia, central and south east Asia, Ladakh and the Himalayas for feeding, resting and roosting. The graylag geese, purple moorhen, flamingo, Brahminy Kite, spot-billed pelican, bar-headed goose, open-billed stork, pintail, king fisher, Egret, Avocet, gulls, tern, herons and white-bellied sea eagles are found here in large populations. In fact, the Chilika Bird Sanctuary is home to one of the largest breeding colonies of flamingos in the world. Every year the birds start coming to the lake around the second and third week of October and stay up to March. They start their homeward journey at commencement of summer.
Flora and fauna at Chilika Lake
Chilika Lake is also home to a rich variety of aquatic flora and fauna. The lake also harbours a rich variety of wild animals, such as golden jackals, spotted deer, black buck and hyenas. The aquatic basin area houses over 225 species of fishes, including the well-known Chilka dolphins, prawns and crabs. Marine wildlife such as prawns and limbless lizards can also be spotted here. The lake privides livelihood to thousands of fishermen. Apart from having a vibrant and dynamic variety of wildlife, the lake is also home to a healthy floral system that comprises of aquatic and non-aquatic plants. Visitors can spot rare and endangered species of all forms of flora here. In fact, it may interest you to know that the Chilika Lake is the most popular eco-tourism destination in the entire Odisha and is considered as a Ramsar site, because of the vast variety of endangered species that it provides shelter to.
Tourist information banners at Chilika Lake
Tourists can get more informations and also find the visitor rules about Chilika at the information banners provided by CDA (Chilika Development Authority) near chilika lake. Please find some of those banners below.
Facts about Chilika Lake
| Location | 19028' 19054' North Latitude 85005' 85038' East Longitude |
| Boundaries | East - Bay of Bengal West - Rocky hills of Easternghats North - Alluvial plain Mahanadi Delta South - Rocky hills of Eastern Ghats |
| District coverage | Puri, Khurda and Ganjam |
| Length and breadth | Maximum length - 64.30 km Maximum breadth - 18.00 km Minimum breadth - 5.00 km |
| Water Spread area | Maximum - 1165 square km Minimum - 740 square km |
| No. of rivers and rivulets (running water flowing on or under the earth) draining into it | 35 |
| Total area of island | 223 square km |
| Annual rainfall | 1160 mm |
| Lagoon mouth | One (near Moto village, previously near Arakhakuda) |
| Fishermen village | 132 |
| Depth | 0.38m - 4.2m |
| Declared as Ramsar site | 01 October, 1981 |
Best time to visit Chilika Lake
Winter is the best time to go Chilika, from October to March, when the lake is crowded with large number of migratory birds from different countries. Avoid rainy season from June to September. In January visitors also congregate in huge numbers at kalijai temple, situated on Kalijai island in Chilka Lake, during Makara Sankranti to pray Goddess Kalijai, when the Makara Mela takes place.
Things to do at Chilika Lake
Current weather at Chilika Lake
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