Chilika Lake in Odisha gets all the attention as the country’s largest brackish water lagoon. Not many know about Ansupa, the state’s largest freshwater lake. Spread across 382 km, and located on the banks of Mahanadi river near Banki in Cuttack district, Ansupa attracts migratory birds during the winter. This is an oxbow lake, which is a U-shaped lake formed when a wide river meander is cut off, resulting in a free-standing body of water. Located approximately 40 kilometres from Cuttack, the lake is set amidst the Saranda Hills (part of the Eastern Ghats) and surrounded by verdant green forests of bamboo, mango, and more.
Located near the bank of the Mahanadi River, the lake is surrounded by the Saranda and Bishnupur hills and the depth of the water is ideal for fishing and boating. You can hire paddle and mechanised boats. With tranquil waters and lush greenery, the place is also a popular picnic spot.
Explore the park here which is home to a variety of flowering plants, a jogging track and a children's play area. A nature camp is also being developed around the area.
The lake has national and international significance due to its unique biodiversity, as it is home to a variety of migratory and resident birds. A 2003 amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act (1972) designated Ansupa Lake as a Community Reserve. There were 11,860 individuals from 42 bird species, according to the inland wetlands of India report. Since 2021, the lake has been designated as a protected Ramsar site.
According to the Chilika Development Authority (CDA) and Odisha Biodiversity Board, 3,372 birds of 46 species were counted during the waterbird census in 2022, the most in the previous three years.
Saranda Hills is a fascinating location to explore. Birds that migrate from distant lands spend their nights on Saranda Hill and their days on Ansupa Lake's waters. This area is home to many migratory birds. It is now referred to as Saranda Garh after formerly being known as Saranda. There are references to Saranda Hill in both mythology and history. The last king of the Keshari dynasty, Subarna Keshari, is reported to have arrived here following his victory over Chodaganga Dev of the Ganga dynasty. But he settled on Saranda Hill after learning about Ansupa Lake.
Getting There: Ansupa is 50 kilometres from Cuttack on a highway that connects the Athagarh and Banki blocks of the Cuttack district.
The nearest airport is Bhubaneswar, 88 km away. The nearest railway stations are Cuttack, 62km and Bhubaneswar, 72km away. Regular bus services are available up to Subarnapur, Banki near Ansupa & to Athagarh from Cuttack.
Best Time To Visit: October to March
Stay Options: There are a variety of accommodations available here, ranging from nature camps outfitted with state-of-the-art Swiss tents to state tourism hotels, and even homestays. The area also offers stays in ecotourism cottages made of bamboo. Lunch, dinner, and morning snacks are also included in the package.