Chilka Lake Orissa

[Sujatha]

Chilka Lake



Hi softys

After visiting Jagannath we went to Puri Railway station. The Puri railway station is new, brightly illuminated, and clean. There is no over bridges. The station has been planned like Chennai Central model. You can travel from one platform to other with out climbing over bridges. I think I paid Rs29/- for railway journey from Puri to Bhubaneswar.





On the other day morning, our TATA Indica started from our hotel room at Bhubaneswar. Unfortunately, one mistake had happened. The taxi driver based on incorrect advises took us to a place called Barkul. The journey took two and half-hours.

By the time, we reached Barkul, the Orissa tourism boat had already left. You can book the boat ticket at Panthnivas-Govt hotel complex. We reached there around 1200 hrs. I saw a notice board there with details regarding the boat journey and timings. The boat starts from Barkul Govt launch pad at 0900 hrs and reaches back at 1600 hrs. They charge Rs400/- for the seven hour boat trip. It covers the important points, the sea mouth, temple island (Kalijai temple), and most importantly the bird watching island (Nalabana)

Unfortunately, we had no time to go to sea mouth point. We could select only the bird watching island (Nalabana). We went to a private boat operator. Its name Maa Kalijai Motor Boat Owners Association PRIVATE SERVICE


By that time, we reached the private boaters launch pad, only we three were waiting. We had to hire a whole boat. They charged Rs 600/- for two and half hours ride.


The motor boat started with big sound. The main driver was a person of around 25 years of age. His assistant was around fifteen years of age. During the journey, the assistant boy asked me money(bribe). Somebody say Chilka is not a lake. It is a biggest brackish (salty) water collection. Somebody say it is just a wet land. The depth is so low that you can see the floor of the lake especially when you approach the Nalabana Island. The floor was just 2 feet near the island.



We could see a special group of birds. They were running (exactly) over the water for a distance of 100 meters and suddenly took off in the same as that of a flight. We could see three more groups of birds. I have no knowledge to identify those special bird species. We returned after two and half hours.



Another wonder in Chilka is wonderful way of catching fish. About 50 to 100 fishermen form a mega circle. They make very big fishing net circle. Several Kilos of fish get caught in a very short interval. In fact this wonderful to watch this way of catching fish.



My suggestion based on my personal experience. Tourists can select the point SATAPADA on Puri side,for visiting Chilka Lake. Satpada is nearer to sea mouth point. For that you have to go to Puri initially and then to Satpada. Over and above, somebody say that you can watch the Dolphins in Satpada in winter months.



Anyway Chilka remains in my memory.



On the subsequent day, we proceeded to our next target Araku valley in Andhra Pradesh.

[behera]

Unfortunately, we had no time to go to sea mouth point. We could select only the bird watching island (Nalabana).

excellent. You have tried to explain better. Unfortunately you have missed the most important attraction the seamouth. and dolphins in Chilka.



better luck next time



with best wishes behera