What to See and Do on a Road Trip from Puri to Chilika Lake

If you are looking for a fun and adventurous way to explore the natural and cultural wonders of Odisha, then a road trip from Puri to Chilika Lake is a great option. Puri is a famous pilgrimage and beach destination, while Chilika Lake is the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia and a biodiversity hotspot. The distance between the two places is about 60 km, and the journey can take about 2 hours by car, depending on the traffic and road conditions. Along the way, Enjoy the scenic views of the countryside, stop by some interesting attractions, and experience the local cuisine and culture. 

Start your trip from Puri :

Puri is one of the four holy dhams, or sacred places, of Hinduism, and is home to the Jagannath Temple, one of the most revered temples in India. The temple is dedicated to Lord Jagannath, a form of Vishnu, and is famous for its annual Ratha Yatra, or chariot festival, in which the three main deities of Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra are taken out in procession on huge wooden chariots. The temple is open for darshan, or viewing of the deities, from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with some breaks in between for the rituals performed on each day. However, the timings are subject to change depending on the festivals, special occasions, and lunar phases.

Apart from the temple, Puri is also known for its golden sandy beach, which stretches for about 7 km along the Bay of Bengal. The beach is a popular spot for swimming, sunbathing, surfing, boating, and camel riding. enjoy the sunrise and sunset views, and watch the local fishermen in action. The beach is lined with hotels, restaurants, shops, and stalls, where you can find souvenirs, handicrafts, seafood and snacks. The beach is also the venue for many cultural events and festivals, such as the Puri Beach Festival, the Konark Dance Festival, and the Sand Art Festival.

Stop by the Raghurajpur Heritage Village

As you drive from Puri towards Chilika Lake, you can take a detour to visit the Raghurajpur Heritage Village, which is about 14 km from Puri. The village is a living museum of Odisha's rich art and craft traditions and is famous for its Pattachitra paintings, which are made on cloth or palm leaf using natural colors and intricate designs. The village has about 120 houses, each of which is a workshop and a gallery of the artists, who also make other handicrafts, such as papier-mache masks, toys, sculptures, wood carvings, stone carvings, terracotta, applique work, and palm leaf engravings. The village also has a community center, where you can watch cultural performances, such as the Gotipua dance, Odissi dance, Sankirtan, and puppet shows.

Reach Chilika Lake and explore its wonders

Chilika Lake is the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia and covers an area of about 1100 sq km. The lake is fed by several rivers and streams and is connected to the Bay of Bengal by a narrow channel. The lake is a Ramsar site, which means it is a wetland of international importance and is home to a rich diversity of flora and fauna, including over 200 species of birds, such as flamingos, pelicans, cranes, storks, herons, egrets, ducks, geese, and waders. The lake is also famous for its population of Irrawaddy dolphins, which are endangered and endemic to the region. The lake also supports the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen, who catch fish, prawns, crabs and oysters from the lake.

The best way to explore the lake is by taking a boat ride, which can be arranged from various points around the lake, such as Satapada, Barkul, Balugaon, and Rambha. The boat ride can last from one hour to several hours, depending on your preference and budget. You can also choose from different types of boats, such as motorboats, speed boats, houseboats and sailboats. The boat ride will take you to various islands, creeks, channels and bays, where you can enjoy the scenic beauty of the lake, watch the birds and dolphins, and visit some temples and shrines. Some of the popular attractions on the lake are:

• Nalabana Island: This is a bird sanctuary, which covers an area of about 15 sq km. The island is submerged during the monsoon season and emerges during the winter season when it becomes a breeding ground for thousands of migratory and resident birds. You can see a variety of birds, such as flamingos, pelicans, cranes, storks, herons, egrets, ducks, geese, and waders, on the island. The island is also a nesting site for the endangered Olive Ridley turtles, which come to the shore to lay their eggs.

• Kalijai Island: This is a religious and cultural site, which is dedicated to Goddess Kalijai, who is believed to be the presiding deity of the lake. The island has a temple, which was built in the 18th century, and attracts thousands of devotees, especially during the Makar Sankranti festival, which is celebrated in January. The island also offers a panoramic view of the lake and the surrounding hills.

• Honeymoon Island: This is a romantic and secluded island, which is also known as Breakfast Island, because of its shape resembling a breakfast table. The island has a lush green forest, which is home to some rare plants and animals, such as the spotted deer, the golden jackal, the hyena, and the monitor lizard. The island also has a watch tower, from where you can get a bird's eye view of the lake and the dolphins.

• Somolo and Dumkudi Islands: These are twin islands, which are located near the mouth of the lake, where it meets the Bay of Bengal. The islands are known for their natural beauty and tranquility and are ideal for camping and picnicking. The islands also have some ancient temples, such as the Somnath Temple, the Narasimha Temple and the Chandi Temple, which are worth visiting.

End your trip with some delicious food and shopping

After exploring the lake, you can treat yourself to some delicious food and shopping at the nearby towns and villages. You can find a variety of cuisines, such as Odia, Bengali, South Indian, Chinese and Continental, at the restaurants, hotels, and dhabas around the lake. You can also try some local delicacies, such as chuda, poha, upma, idli, dosa, vada, sambar, chutney, Dalma, spatula, ghanta, besara, macho bhaja, macho jhola, chingudi malai, kankada jhola, crab masala, oyster fry, prawn curry, fish fry, fish curry and fish pakora. You can also quench your thirst with some refreshing drinks, such as coconut water, lassi, buttermilk, lemonade, sugarcane juice and palm juice.

A road trip from Puri to Chilika Lake is a wonderful way to experience the diversity and beauty of Odisha. visit some of the most sacred and historic places, such as the Jagannath Temple and the Raghurajpur Heritage Village, and enjoy some of the most scenic and natural places, such as Puri Beach and Chilika Lake. also witness some of the most amazing and rare wildlife, such as the birds and the dolphins, and taste some of the most delicious and authentic food, such as seafood and sweets.

Also Read- Puri Tour Package: A Perfect Blend of Culture, History, and Nature