Chilika Lake : Tranquil Escape from Puri
Hello all,
The first feeling that comes to me once we started our journey in the boat is PEACE. The sound of the motorboat also doesn’t affect the serenity of the place. Chilika Lake is the largest and one of the most serene brackish water lagoons in Asia, located in Odisha near Puri.
The area of Chilika varies between 1165 and 900 sq.km during the monsoon and summer, respectively. There is a 32 km long channel that connects the main lagoon to the Bay of Bengal. There are many entry points in this vast lake – Barkul, Rambha, Balugaon, and Satapada. We visited it from Satapada village, which is about 50 km from Puri. Satapada means “a group of seven settlements”. We took a boat ride from here.
There are a few small villages on the islands. You will see many bamboo poles with nets. The lake is a highly productive ecosystem. Fishing is one of the most important occupations in this region, and there are more than 0.15 million fishermen who live around the lake with interesting ways of catching fish and crabs. In fact, the lake is home to Irrawaddy dolphins and crabs, which camouflage perfectly in the sand of the islands. The name Irrawaddy is derived from the Ayeyarwady River of Burma. It is one of the ten species of dolphins found along the coast of Odisha and the only species found in Chilika Lake.
Things to do:
Boating:
There are many wooden motorboats with canopies. Our boat was arranged by Mr. Pulak from Grassroots Travel. Endless sky, calm water, and the company of your loved ones. What more do we need? Life is filled with the treasure of such little moments. These moments, which will become memories of a lifetime, will be stored in our souls.
Relax and Rejuvenate:
After the busy day in Bhuvneshwar, this was super calm and soothing for us. We were in our fully relaxed mood, chatting with kids, listening to the stories of our guide, and enjoying doing nothing.
Watch amazing dolphins:
This lake is home to the Irrawaddy dolphins, and if you are lucky, you will definitely be able to see them. I mean, here the dolphins are in their natural habitat, so they won’t be jumping and giving you the picture-perfect poses. Mostly, you will be able to see the upper surface of their bodies in the region of the nose or the dorsal fins. The Irrawaddy Dolphins are shy in nature, so there is a chance that they will change their course once they feel the boat nearby. We didn’t spot any dolphins while going, but we were lucky to see a pod of dolphins with at least 5-7 dolphins near us. Their movement is so fast that in the blink of an eye, they moved to another place, and we were shouting crazily.
Birding:
This lake is home to many migratory birds from Siberia, Mongolia, and Iran in winter. According to some, if you want to spot birds, then go to Balugaon, Mangalajodi. And if you are interested in birding, then winter is the best time.
Eat a delicious homemade meal on the boat.
We were lucky that Mr. Pulak had arranged a healthy traditional Odia meal cooked in our fisherman’s home. We had our meal on the boat in the picture-perfect setting!
Explore islands:
After our lunch on the boat, we went to one of the islands. We explored the island a little bit, walked for a while, and boom! On the other side, there is a roaring sea of the Bay of Bengal. How amazing this geography is! The beach was like for us, as we were the only people there.
Best time to visit:
October to March
Morning and evening times are the best. We went in the afternoon and were there upto sunset. The vibrant hues of the sky reflecting on the water are all the therapy you need.
Points to consider:
- The main issue in reaching Satapada village is the traffic jam due to herds of cows. Do consider at least 1 hour more in your transit, especially in the evening, as there will be lots and lots of cows on the road, which are not ready to budge and cause a traffic jam on the road.
- If you want to spot dolphins, go in the early morning or late afternoon. Don’t go if there are many boats; instead, take a little detour and try later.
So, dive into the serenity of this amazing lake if you are in Puri. In this fast-paced life, just dive into the slow-paced stillness of this placid lake. We are sure you won’t be disappointed.
Here is the contact number of Mr. Pulak from Grassroots who has planned a perfect trip for us and who is a kind and warm hearted gentleman, and just like the name of his company, deeply attached to his roots – 9437022663
Thank you..
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“This was a fantastic read and definitely a breath of fresh air.
Beautiful Captures👌
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