Chilika Lake :Barkul Panthnivas & Boating

Barkul Panthanivas of OTDC ( Orissa Tourism Development Corporation ) is the hub of tourism from this part of the lake.
There is another Panthanivas ( OTDC resort ) at Rambha further south of Barkul.

Reaching Barkul Panthanivas.

Nearest railway station is 6 KM at Balugaon ( Station Code BALU). Superfast trains does not have stop here. Bhubaneswar is in north of Barakul at a distance of 145 KM. Berhampur ( Station Code : BAM) is south of Barkul at a distance of 70 KM.

Barkul is located by the side of NH 5 at distance of 145 KM from Bhubaneswar. In south direction Berhampur is at a distance of 70 KM. If you are travelling from Bhubaneswar then on NH 5 you can see board showing left turn towards Barkul Panthanivas.

Boating at Barkul

There are private operators are available for boating at Barkul, there rates are less than the rate of OTDC Barkul Panthanivas. However it is advisable to rely on Government services and take your boating ticket from Panthanivas reception counter. Rates for Boating at Barkul ( As on Aug 2014 )

Speed Boat 5 seat	Rs 2000
Nalaban - Kalijai by Speed boat	Rs 4000
Floating restaurant per Hours	Rs 2750
50 Seater Luxury boat per Hour	Rs 2000
50 Seater boat per Hour	Rs 1800
34 Seater boat per Hour	Rs 1400
22 Seater boat per Hour	Rs 1320
20 Seater boat per Hour	Rs 1000
08 Seater boat per Hour	Rs 850
07 Seater Luxury boat per Hour	Rs 850
Kalijai & Back per head	Rs 80
4 Seater paddle boat per hour	Rs 50
2 Seater paddle boat per Hour	Rs 40

Two main attractions for boating are Kalijai temple island and Nalabana. Kalijai is a temple of goddess Kali in an island. By boat it will take 45 minutes to reach Kalijai temple. You can spend minimum 20 minutes here. So it will take minimum 2 hours to visit Kalijai temple and return to Barkul. No one stays at Kalijai island. During daytime it is connected by boat.

While travelling you can see INS Chilika firing range and training camp at your right side.
To your left will be a small island with white stones known as Chadei or Birds Island.
You can also see other islands like Parikuda, Maluda from a distance. Villages are there in these islands. You can easily spot this islands because of mobile towers. Due to these habited islands you will get Mobile signals throughout the Chilika Lake.

The Story of Kalijai.

As per the legend, Jeei a girl from nearby village was travelling by boat with her father in Chilika to get married at Parikud Island. Due to storm the boat was capsized near the island on deep water and all survived except the girl Jai. It is believed that after her death the girl became Goddess Kali and worshiped as KaliJai in the same island.

It is considered that Banapur is the goddess Kalijai’s father village and Parikud is her in Laws place.

A festival is organized every year during Makar Sankranti time ( Month of Jan ) at KaliJai Island
While travelling you will see several hills surrounding the Chilika Lake.

Nalabana boating

Nalabana is famous for migratory birds arriving during winter seasons. Due to high water level Nalabana remains submerged during rainy seasons. During winter months this became a rendezvous for birds who settle here to escape for cold winter in Siberia and nearby areas.

After declaration of sanctuary approach to this area is restricted and tourist has to watch birds from a distance.

The best time for bird watching

It is during starting of winter months and during ending of winter months chance of spotting birds increases. So Oct-Nov and Feb - March period is best for this .

Boating at Rambha Panthanivas

Rambha Panthanivas is further south of Barakul and here also you can go for boating. The main attraction here are Breakfast Island, Honeymoon Island and Parikud Island.

Accommodation at Chilika

From Balugaon side of Chilika Orissa tourism Development Corporations Guest House Panthanivas is available at two places. One is at Barkul and other one is at Rambha.

Around Chilika Lake Chilika Lake Chilika from Train & NH 5 Chilika at Satapada Chilika at Rambha Puri Sri Jagannath

PANTHANIVAS BARKUL

Balugaon, Khurda - 752030

Phone: 06756-227388, 22748

PANTHANIVAS RAMBHA

At/P.O. Rambha, Ganjam - 761028

Phone: 06810-278346

PANTHANIVAS SATAPADA

Via Brahmagiri, Dist. Puri Pin : 752001
Phone : 06752 262077

Visit Orissa Govt tourism Development Corporation website Panthanivas.com for booking and other details. There are few private hotels available at Balugaon for budget accommodations.

Chilika at Rambha

Chilika Lake

Sri Jagannath Temple

Chilika at Satapada

Chilika from Train

Vessel at Satapada

This article is written by go2india.in team.

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