Bird Watcher's Paradise In Odisha #TheBlindList #SayYesToTheWorld

Chilika Lake in Odisha, India, is a bird watcher's paradise.
Chilika Lake is the largest brackish water lagoon in Asia and the second largest in the world.
Spread over 1100 square kilometres, this lagoon is the largest migratory bird congregation site.

Every year, thousands of of migratory birds flock to Chilika Lake.

If you are an overenthusiastic bird watcher, you must this Ramsar site in the months November-February when you can spot thousands of birds.

 

Chilika was designated as the first Ramsar site of India in 1981.
Chilika Lake is a unique habitat. Chilika's size, Hydrology, Macrophyte density etc favors the large congregation of migratory birds. 
Small wonder, the birds feel comfortable to flock here.  

There are many birds that feel at home at Chilika and have made it their home.

Seeing the birds secure in their homes i.e. their nests is such a fulfilling feeling!

It is said, "birds of a feather, flock together".
Seeing the birds in perfect harmony at Chilika Lake reinforces this.

However, the best part is that one finds birds of multiple species flock together at Chilika Lake!
Nalabana Bird Sanctuary and Mangalajodi in Chilika are prominent habitats for bird species.

I love the lines of the Hindi song from the movie 'Refugee' (released in 2000). Shri Javed Akhtar won the National Film award and the Filmfare Award for the lyrics of this song:

"Panchhi, Nadiya, Pawan ke jhonke; Koi Sarhad na inhe rokey.

Sarhad Insaano ke liye hai.

Socho tumne aur maine, Kya paaya Insaan hoke?"  

English Translation:
"Birds, Rivers, Wind; No border stops these (from travelling).
Borders are for human-beings.
Think what did you and I have got by being (born as) humans."

Chilika is an important wintering and stopover site for migrating birds.
Birds like Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper, Dunlin, Wood Sandpiper etc are some of the long distance migrant waders visiting Chilika. They have no visa or passport requirements...

Birds are great travellers! Curlew Sandpiper from Victoria, Australia, visited Chilika Lake.

We have lessons to learn from the birds as they are a travel inspiration.
The birds set a great example for co-existence and unity in diversity.
The birds are openminded.
They are prepared for exploration.
The birds fly for many miles and adapt to the new habitat in style.
When it is the time to leave, they do so with utmost dignity and respect to the land they leave behind...
And yes, these winged visitors do contribute a lot to the land they visit.

We need to ask ourselves these questions-
As travellers, do we value our date with-
a) Travel?
b) Our co-passengers?
c) The inhabitants of the land we visit?
d) The nation we visit, stay and then leave behind?

Imagine exploring the world seeing the birds from around the world at one place!
Chilika Lake is a travel and nature lover's delight and must feature on every bucket list.
Want to please the photographer, challenge self exploration and awaken the poet in you?
For an enriching experience, get ready for a blind date to Chilika.
Travel to explore Chilika Lake in Odisha, India, especially from November-February.

Chilika Lake is just about 100 kilometres from the nearest airport at Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha. Here is how you can reach Chilika Lake.
After reaching Chilika, one can meet avian friends from around the world!

"O Chilika! Your verdant waters are bedecked with swans,
You grant bliss to Kamala, the goddess of Utkala's wellness.
You adorn Utkala like a luminous jewel,
You are indeed the treasure-trove of enchanting beauty"
                                                                           - Chilika by Radhanath Roy

 Lufthansa asked if I am ready for #TheBlindList and for 'a blind date with the world'.
My answer- "The explorer in me is forever ready for a blind date with the world as I love to travel."
I #SayYesToTheWorld, do you? Please share in the comments below.