PLACES OF TOURIST INTEREST IN CHILIKA:
KALIJAI ISLAND is famous as a center of religious worship due to the temple of GODDESS KALIJAI where a big fair is held on the occasion of MAKARA SANKRANTI that falls in January every year. The NALABANA ISLAND in Chilika is the chief bird watching region and forms the core area of the bird sanctuary. Here, MIGRATORY BIRDS are the biggest draw that seek asylum during the harsh winter season back in Siberia and Iran. The SATPARA ISLAND is popular as a DOLPHINE-SPOTTING site in Chilika Lake, Orissa. You took can marvel at the wonders of nature on your tour to Chilika Wildlife (Bird) Sanctuary.
HONEYMOON ISLAND, BREAKFAST ISLAND, BIRDS ISLAND, AND PARIKUD ISLAND, besides the many other smaller ones, are other prominent islands that you ought to visit on your tour to Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary, Orissa, with Tourism of Orissa packages.
Other places of interest that you can visit on your tour to Chilika Wildlife Sanctuary include the PICNIC SPOTS at NARAYANI and NIRMALJHARA and TEMPLE OF GODDESS BHAGABATI and the TEMPLE OF DAKSHYA PRAJAPATI at Banpur.
SATPADA :
Located on the eastern shore of the lake, it is 55 Kms from Puri. It is bounded by the lagoon on three sides and thus offers an excellent view of the Lagoon. One main attraction of Satpada is Irrawaddy Dolphins. At present 150 unemployed youth of Satpada area are operating 75 number of boats to conduct the tourist into the Lake from Satpada.
RAMBHA :
Situated at the southern end of the lagoon Rambha bay is dotted with a number of Islands and because of its enchanting beauty it happened to be the picnic ground of Britishers. The number of inviting islands popping out of vast stretch of blue water and each Island has got some story to tell. It is an excellent site for Island trip as each island has got some uniqueness.
HONEYMOON ISLAND :
It is situated in the Rambha Bay near the Sankuda Island. It is 5 Kms away from Rambha Jetty. It is otherwise known as "Barkuda Island”. Britishers used this island for picnicking. The waters around the island are very clear a luxuriant bed of red and green macro algae grow on the bed. Dr. Anandale & Kemp recorded the limbless lizard an endemic species from this island which is named after this Island.
BREAKFAST ISLAND :
This island is located in the Rambha Bay between Badakuda and Somolo island. It is a pear shaped island. It is otherwise known as "Sankuda island". The remnants of a dilapidated bungalow constructed by the king of Kalikote still exist on this island. 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 on this island. The flora of the island is quite interesting. A number of interesting rare plants are still found on this Island.
BECON ISLAND :
Located at 3.0Kms 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 Ghantasila hill. Mr. Snodgrass built this who, the then Collector of Ganjam under the east India Company. As per the old document Mr. Snodgrass used to relax and do his office work on this island. The ornamental pillar was constructed to put a light on the top. The water spread around the Beacon Island is very charming, surrounded by the Eastern Ghat.
SOMOLO AND DUMKUDI :
Situated in the Central and Southern sectors of the lagoon, these islands are inundated remnants of the Eastern Ghats. Though rocky, they are rich in flora and fauna. Dolphins are often sighted on the peripheral waters of Somolo island. A scenic and unique backdrop to Somolo is the Khalikote hill range.
BIRDS' ISLAND :
It is situated in the southern sector of Chilika. This is a hillock with huge exposed hanging rocks. It is 4 Kms away from Rambha Tourist Bungalow, and 1 Km away on the Eastern side of the Ghantasila hill. The island is covered with herbs, shurbs, trees and creepers. The granite rocks are the remnants of Eastern Ghats. Some of the huge rocks are painted white because of the folic acid from the droppings 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 and few mangrove species.
PARIKUD :
A group of composite islands constitute the Garh Krishnaprasad Block and are ideal spots for nature lovers, during the winter season it becomes an avian grandeur.
KALIJAI TEMPLE :
Kalijai temple is situated on an island considered to be the abode of the Godess Kalijai. She is venerated due to the folk-lore and the legend. An excellent destination for the tourists.
BARUNKUDA :
It is a small island situated near Magarmukh with a temple of Lord Varuna.
NABAGRAHA:
An ancient deity located near village Berhampur, along the outer channel.
CHOURBAR SHIVA TEMPLE :
Located along the outer channel near village Alupatna.
MANIKPATNA :
It is situated along the outer channel. As per historical evidence, there was a port which was used for trade with Far-East. Bhabakundeswar temple of Lord Shiva is located here. An old Mosque exists here ,the entrance door of the Mosque is made of the jaws of the whale. A typical curd is prepared here by tradition in bamboo basket.
SAND-BAR AND MOUTH OF CHILIKA LAGOON :
A beautiful and endless un-explored stretch of empty beach exists across the sand bar which separates the Lagoon from the Sea. The entire stretch is more than 30 Kms. It can be developed for extending the camping facility to the high budget tourists
NARAYANI :
22 Kms. from Rambha, Goddess Narayani adorns the Vallery hill-top which is girdled by a stream. It is an ideal picnic spot.
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 bf the early group of temples at Bhubaneswar. The large member of Buddhist images discovered at Banpur relate the place to the Vairayan cult of Buddhism. The temple of "Dakshya Prajapati" is a fine specimen of extraordinary artistic excellence of Orissan art. Banpur is 8 Kms. from Balugaon, 42 Kms. from Rambha and 104 kms. from Bhubaneswar.
NIRMALJHARA :
11 Kms. from Rambha, Nirmaljhar has earned name as an ideal place of 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. |