Positioned to the South West of Puri, in Odisha, Chilika Lake is the biggest saline water lake in Asia with tiny islands, split from the Bay of Bengal by a sandy ridge. Spreads over 1100 square kilometers the lake is stretch across the districts of Puri, Khurdha and Ganjam along the east coast at the confluence of the Daya River. Chilka with marshes, low lands and islands is a hot tourist spot of bio-diversity for fishing, bird watching and boating.
In 1981 Chilika Lake was chosen as Ramsar Site the foremost Indian wetland of international fame under the International Ramsar Convention. Chilka is the biggest coastal lagoon in India and the second largest lagoon in the world. The Lake is surrounded with Kalijai, Breakfast, Nalaban, Honeymoon, Parikud Island and Birds island. Nalaban Island is a Bird Sanctuary for the migratory birds. Kalijai island is famed for religious worship of Goddess Kalij where a fair is held on the event of Makar Sankranti in January each year.
