Chilika Lake, Odisha

Chilika Lake: India's Flamingo Paradise
Located on the eastern coast of India in Odisha, Chilika Lake is Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon and a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. Spread across over 1,100 square kilometers, it’s a paradise for bird watchers and wildlife photographers, especially in winter.

I travelled to Chilika in late January, when the migratory birds were at their peak. Mangalajodi, at the northern edge of the lake, is a haven for bird photographers.

We set out at dawn in a small wooden boat, drifting silently past marshes. The mist lifted slowly, revealing thousands of birds: Whiskered terns, Brown-headed Gull, and Flamingos.


🛠 Workshops Offered: Yes, seasonal private and small-group workshops

Chilikla lake

It’s a hidden gem in Odisha—the Asia's largest lagoon and a biodiversity-rich haven for nature lovers and photographers alike. From greater flamingos and pelicans to ospreys and countless other unique species, there’s so much to witness and capture. Locals even say that dolphins visit the lagoon, though I haven’t been lucky enough to see them yet. Maybe next time, I’ll get the chance to observe these incredible creatures!

Ornithography is a photographic technique that focuses on capturing the shapes and patterns created by birds in flight, essentially "painting pathways in the sky.

Glitter of sun on earth
Glitter of sun on earth