Chilika at a Glance
If you’re anywhere near Puri, Bhubaneswar, or just anywhere in Odisha, you cannot leave without visiting Chilika Lake. Among the best tourist destinations in the state, Chilika Lake is a salty water lagoon at the tip of Daya River that flows into Bay of Bengal.
Situated at just 70 Km from Puri and 61 Km from Bhubaneswar, Chilika Lake provides sustenance to fishermen familiesfrom around 132 villages on the shores or islands surrounding the lake. During the migratory seasons, as far as 160 species of birds flock around the lake. The rich eco-biodiversity of the lake has also made it home to Irrawaddy dolphins which can be spotted on the Satpada islands. If your ideal vacation involves breathing fresh air whilst listening to the sweet chirping of birds and watching the graceful dance of dolphins, Chilika Lake is where you should be.
October to March would be the best season to visit Chilka, because it is the time when the lake is visited by the migrating birds. Devotees and pilgrims come to Chilka in the month of January during Makar Mela (at the time of Makar Sankranti) to pay homage to the Goddess Kalijai.