The journey by boat from Satapada is like a trip to the end of the world. When you cross the enormous, blue surface of Rajhans chilika, the land gradually disappears behind you. Flowing through a brackish lake for approximately 18 km will take you to ‘Rajhans’ Island which is a small strip/native land sitting in between the tumultuous waves of the Bay of Bengal and the serene waters of Chilika Lake, which are located within Puri District, Odisha, India. The only way to visit Rajhans Island is via a relaxing boat trip. Most visitors come here to locate the sea mouth where the lake is joined by the ocean, but when you get to the island, you will realize that the island itself is the real treasure. This is an island in Odisha which is so close to fresh water and salt water that it seems like it has one foot in each.
The name of the island is derived from an extremely old word. “Rajhans” refers to the Royal Swan, a bird that is well known in Indian tales for its trick of separating milk from water. The locals say that the island was given its name because of the special layout of the place. It is the only spot on the earth where one can turn their back to a very calm and quiet lake and see the mighty ocean waves crashing just a scant few hundred meters apart. It is said in the local legend that during the time of the severe storms, the island rose up like a shield to save the fishing villages concealed in the depths of the lagoon.
The landscape of this place is far from complicated, but it is very attractive. There, one can see the Chilika beach itself, washed by the sea, covered with soft white sand, and surrounded by slender high trees. The wind causes the trees to rub together and emit a whistling sound, an illusion of a distant singer calling. Incidentally, if you reside at Rajhans nature camp, you will divide your nights under those singing trees located next to the eco-friendly tents. Rajhans nature camp Chilika knows no more than simplest forms of construction, rarely employing heavy concrete or noisy machines.
The cultural sentiment on the island is very calm. The local boatmen as well as the staff at the Rajhans nature camp hardly talk. They mainly rely on hand signs, a finger pointed at the water generally means that an Irrawaddy dolphin is going to appear. These dolphins are really the main inhabitants of Rajhans chilika. They are secretive, gray animals that only raise their heads for a flash. The fishermen around here are on a first name basis with them. There’s a notion among the fishermen that the dolphins show the path of fish to their nets. Definitely, no shops or malls are present here. On the other hand, there are only some small huts where the guys prepare freshly caught prawns and crabs on wood fires.
