Chilika Lake, Odisha · Chilika Lake travel guide
Island temple, Goddess Kalijai, pilgrimage site.
A revered temple located on an island in Chilika Lake, dedicated to Goddess Kalijai. It is a significant pilgrimage site, especially during the Makar Sankranti festival. The temple is situated about 12 kilometers from Barkul.
| Time to spend | About 1.5 h (1–2.5 h) |
|---|---|
| Best time of day | 8–11 AM — calm lake for the boat crossing, cool |
| Avoid | 12–3 PM — hot and winds make crossing rough |
| Best months | Nov–Feb |
| Months to avoid | Jun–Sep |
| Entry fee | Free entry |
| Opening hours | Mon–Sun: 7 AM–5 PM |
| Setting | Indoor & outdoor |
| Effort | Easy — boat crossing of about 30-40 minutes |
| Good for | Families, Elderly, Couples, Solo, Groups |
| Rating | 4.5 / 5 on Google (5,475 reviews) |
Reached by boat on Chilika; Makar Sankranti (mid-January) fair is busiest, monsoon crossings are rough.
Most visitors spend about 1.5 h; 1–2.5 h depending on pace.
8–11 AM, for calm lake for the boat crossing, cool. The best months are Nov–Feb.
Entry is free.
Mon–Sun: 7 AM–5 PM.
Modest dress; remove footwear