Chilka Lake - Odisha

 Chilka Lake is recognized for its exotic splendor and is one of the largest inland salt-water lagoon not only India, but in the entire Asian continent stretching over an area of 1,100 sq km. It spread over the Puri, Khurda and Ganjam districts of Odisha.

It  is one of India's migratory birds paradise. It is a heaven for birds in East India.There are more than 150 species of migratory and residential birds here. Many rare and endangered birds are also in the list of birds that regularly visit Chilka.These groups include Polyzoa, Porifera, Protozoa, Coelenterata, Isopoda, Echiura, Chaetognatha, Platyhelminthes, Insecta, Crustacea, Archinida and Mollusca to Fishes, Reptiles, Amphibians, mammals and birds.  Boating and fishing facilities are also available in this lake.

It is dotted with some wonderful small islands that make the lake more picturesque. Kalijai is an important pilgrimage place as the Temple of Goddess Kalijai is situated here.

The nearest airport to the lake is in Bhubaneswar around 120 km away and the nearest railway station is in Balugaon and Rambha.