Chilika Lake, located along Odisha's eastern coast, is the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia, covering an area of over 1,100 square kilometers.
Spanning the districts of Puri, Khordha, and Ganjam, it is located at the mouth of the Daya River.
Its salinity ranges from freshwater inflows to ocean-like levels, influenced by tidal currents from the Bay of Bengal.
Chilika Lake was designated as the first Indian wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention due to its rich biodiversity in 1971.
This lagoon is home to nearly 315 species of fish, making it an ideal location for predators to hunt.
The Irrawaddy dolphins are the standout predators and star attractions of Chilika.
Ancient texts mention that the southern part of Chilika served as a significant harbor for maritime trade during the reign of Kharavela (209 BCE–170 BCE), the King of Kalinga, who was famously titled the "Lord of the Sea."
The Brahmanda Purana, a 10th-century text, refers to Chilika Lake as a significant hub for trade and commerce and a safe haven for ships traveling to Java, Malaya, Singhala, China, and other destinations. This indicates that the lake was once deep enough to accommodate seagoing vessels and had a channel to the sea wide enough for fully loaded trading ships heading to Southeast Asia. Even today, the villagers around Chilika Lake celebrate an annual festival called "Bali Yatra" (Journey to Bali).