Chilika Lake is Asia's largest brackish water lagoon, stretching across about 1,100 square kilometres along the Odisha coast in eastern India. The lake is separated from the Bay of Bengal by a narrow strip of land and is fed by more than fifty rivers and streams that drain the surrounding hills. Where fresh and salt water mix, the result is one of the richest ecosystems on the subcontinent.
The lake is best known for its birds. Every winter, from November through February, over a million migratory birds arrive from as far as Siberia, Central Asia, and the Himalayas — flamingos, pelicans, herons, ospreys, and waders of every description. The reed-covered Nalabana Island at the centre of the lake is the core sanctuary, a protected area where the bird concentrations are highest. Boat trips from Barkul or Rambha bring you close without disturbing the flocks.
Besides birds, the lake holds the Kalijai Island temple, a pilgrimage site that draws thousands of devotees each January for the Makar Sankranti fair. Dolphins are regularly spotted in the deeper channels near the mouth of the lake — Chilika has one of India's largest populations of Irrawaddy dolphins. The best base for exploring is Barkul, where Odisha Tourism operates accommodation and boats. Rambha to the south is quieter and has good views across the lake.