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Chilika Lake - The Unknown Tale of Raktabahu

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Arindam Das
July 26, 2025 1:41 PM
In the heart of Odisha lies a shimmering expanse where sky kisses water—Chilika Lake, the second-largest lagoon in the world. Home to over 160 species of migratory birds, its surface tells a tale of breathtaking beauty. But beyond the birdsong and silver ripples whispers a darker legend—the tale of Raktabahu, a fearsome invader whose treachery once stained Chilika's calm with betrayal. In this forgotten myth, the lake hides more than reflections—it holds the memory of a kingdom lost to deceit.

The Cursed Waters of Chilika – A Pirate King's Folly

Long ago, when the 4th-century shores of Odisha whispered legends into the wind, a pirate king named Raktabahu set sail with dark intentions. His eyes were fixed on the prosperous city we now call Puri, and with a fleet of ships, he approached quietly, hoping to catch its people unaware. But fate had other plans. The locals, sensing the lurking danger, fled with all they held dear. When Raktabahu arrived, he found nothing but silence. Enraged and deceived, he hurled curses at the sea. And in a twist of destiny, the sea answered back—swallowing his fleet whole, giving birth to what we now revere as the Chilika Lake - a living memory of ambition, escape, and the sea’s silent justice.

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Haunted Waters: The Ghostly Tale of Raktabahu

In the heart of Odisha lies Chilika Lake, tranquil yet tinged with ancient sorrow. Legends echo of Raktabahu, a pirate king whose thirst for conquest ended in watery ruin. Locals believe his soul, restless and unholy, never left. Even today, visitors speak in hushed tones of a shadowy man rising from the waves — a spectral pirate watching from the mist. Next time you sail Chilika’s waters and see a figure too still to be real, remember: Raktabahu’s story is not just legend — it lingers, with eyes set on the living.

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