| Places
to visit around Chilika |
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Kalijai Island:
Situated at a distance of about half an hours boat
ride is the Kalijai temple, on a small island .A small
parable is associated with this temple, which the
boatman will be happy to narrate.
The island of Kalijai is famous as a centre of religious
worship due to the temple of Goddess Kalijai where
a big fair is held on the of |
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Makar Sankranti
that falls on january 14th every year. There is an
epic like story behind the place Kalijai which is
centered on an innocent girl called "Kalijai"
who got married and was going by a boat along with
her in-laws through this lake to the in-laws place.
In between, heavy storms came and the boat sank. Everybody
including Kalijai died in that storm. The place where
the temple stands now is exactly the place where the
boat sank. |
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Nalaban
Island: The Nalaban Island within the Lake
is notified as a Bird Sanctuary under Wildlife (Protection)
Act. Nalaban is one of the biggest islands, is a 10km
marsh which is submerged during the four or five monsoon
months, but is a major feeding and roosting habitat
during winter for over a hundred species of migratory
birds, which arrive in October from their temperate
breeding grounds. These birds include a few species
of flamingos, over a dozen species of ducks, and several
migratory birds. |
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From the shores of Barakul this small island is about
3-4hrs ride, this ride cuts across the length of the
lagoon, exhibiting the beautiful arch of hills that
surround it. |
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Rajhans Island:
Rajhans is a small island in "Chilika”,
Asia's second largest brackish water lagoon. This
island named after the legendary bird "Rajhans
“, is as beautiful as the bird itself. It is
a to be the ideal get-away. A 15-minute stroll had
takes the tourist, from the protected waters of Chilika
(where one could safely swim, sail, surf or pedal-boat),
through a forested hill station, to the mighty ocean
on the other side. |
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This small island in the lagoon "Chilika"
has a beautiful white verdant beach. On one side of
the island is the mighty ocean and on the other side
is the lagoon itself. This beach is clean and clear.
The ride in the motor launch enroute "Rajhans”,
is ideal for spotting Dolphins also.
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Satpada
Satpada, the place is just a tiny island, one of the
many on the mouth of Chilika lake. Satpada, relatively
unknown to larger masses retains it pristine purity.
It hardly covers an area of two or three square kilometers,
with one solitary bungalow, a pine grove and a small
retinue of tourism officials. |
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Any tourist accustomed to the bristle and bustle and
crowds of vendors on any other beaches would be delighted
to see the total absence of commercialization. It
a pure visual and auditory delight, a welcome surprise
for anyone who had despaired to find such an unpolluted
place.
The sea is the most wonderful shades of blue with
the purest sand, unspoilt even by human footprints.
Though provided with the most elementary necessities,
the overwhelming presence of the sea, dominating all
human presence is enough to compensate for the lack
of amenities.
The weather is temperate, with warm days and cool
nights, with a perpetual breeze and incessant music
of the waves. The pine grove that covers one-fourth
of the island offers a shady recluse for al fresco
picnics. The entire stretch of the beach is virtually
deserted and a virtual paradise for collectors of
shells and various colored pebbles that letter the
shores.
On the other side of the island lies the expanse of
Chilika Lake. About the most beautiful parts of the
island is a hillock upon which one can stand and in
front lies the endless sea and on the other, the sparkling
waters of the Chilika, an inspiring sight for any
poet. The beach is also perfect for camping and bonfires.
The island itself a birdwatcher’s paradise,
with many varieties of birds coming over in winter.
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| Parikud: It
is located in the eastern side of Chilika and is an idle spot
for nature-lovers during winter season when migratory avifauna
is abundant.
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| Manikpata :
It is situated in the outer channel having Historical significance.
This was a port that was used for trade with the Far East
in ancient Kalinga. Bhabakundeleswar temple and an old mosque
are located here.
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Rambha:
Situated at the southern end of the Lake, it is a popular
tourist site with a number of inviting islands and vast stretch
of blue water. There is a Panthaniwas at Rambha.The following
can be memorable and peaceful exclusions from Rambha.
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BEACON POINT:
Located at 3km away from Rambha OTDC Bungalow. It is an architectural
marvel with a conical pillar and a small room constructed
on a submerged mass of rock in the Rambha bay near Ghantasilla
hill. This way built by Mr. Snodgrass, the then collector
of Ganjam under the East India Company. As per the old document
Mr. Snodgrass used to relax and do office works on this island.
The ornamental pillar was constructed to put alight on the
top. The water spread around the Beacon Island is very charming.
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BREAKFAST ISLAND
: This Island is located in the Rambha Bay and between Badakuda
and somolo Island. It is a pear shaped Island.It is otherwise
known as Sankuda Island. A bungalow was constructed on this
island by the King of Khallikote. Mr. Snodgrass, the then
Collector of Ganjam, used to occupy this Bungalow quite frequently.
The Island was full of greenery and he used to do his office
work in this Island.
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HONEYMOON ISLAND:
It is situated in the Rambha Bay near the Sankuda Island.
It is 5Km away from Rambha Jetty. It is otherwise known as
"Barkud island". Britishers use this Island for
picnicking. The waters around the Island is very clear and
dark blue in colour.The limbless lizard was recorded from
this island by Anandale and Kemp.
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BIRD'S ISLAND:
It is situated in the southern sector of Chilika Lake. This
is a hillock with huge exposed hanging rocks. It is 4 km away
from Rambha Trourist Bungalow and lkm away on the Eastern
side of the Ghantasila hill. The Island is covered with herbs,
shrubs, trees and creepers. The granite rocks are the remnants
of Eastern Ghats. Some of the rocks are painted white with
the dropping of the birds. Some residential birds use the
island as perching ground. During winter season, the migratory
birds are sighted here. It is known for its rich algal communities.
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SOMOLO AND DUMKUDI:
Situated in the central and southern sectors of the Lake,
these island are inundated remnants of the Easter Ghats. Though
rocky, they are rich in flora and fauna. Dolphins are often
sighted on the peripheral water of Somolo Island. A beautiful
and unique backdrop to Somolo is the Khallikote hill range. |
Sea Beach At
The Mouth Of Rushikulya River Mouth: Located between
the river mouth and extending north wards the 4-6 Km long
stretch is the famous mass nesting site of endangered Olive
Ridley Sea turtles. It is only at a distance of about 2km
from the National High way No. 5 and an ordinary kacha road
passes through the coastal villages namely, Purunabandha and
Gokharkuda. There are multi purpose cyclone centres at these
villages. |
BARKUL
: A Wetland Research and Conservation Centre has been established
at Barkul with an aquarium, wetlands museum, auditorium with
hostel facility for scientists. |
| Narayani: About 10kms from
Barakul by road is the abode of the goddess Narayani; this shrine
is built beside a stream. |
| Nirmaljhara : Nirmaljhara
has earned its name as an ideal place for picnic as well as
pilgrimage. A stream that emerges out from the feet of a Vishnu
image enhances the importance and sanctity of the place. |
| Banpur : Famous for the
time honoured temple of Goddess Bhagabati, Banpur has earned
celebrity as a center of religious activities. Once it was the
capital of Sailodvaba dynasty, responsible for the construction
of the early group of temples in Bhubaneswar. The large number
of Buddhist images discovered at Banpur relate the place to
the Vajrayan cult of Buddhism. The temple of "Dakshya Prajapati"
is a fine specimen of extraordinary artistic excellence of Orissan
art. Banpur is 8 km from Balugaon, 42 km from Rambha and 104
km from Bhubaneswar. |
