Rushikulya Beach

Rushikulya Beach is one of the hidden gems of Odisha. Located in Chilika in the Ganjam district of Odisha, the beach is exactly at the confluence of the mighty Bay of Bengal and River Rushikulya. The beach is not very popular and is usually deserted due to lack of any touristy activity. However, it does come alive once every year when thousands of olive ridley sea turtles gather here to mate and lay eggs. The process happens in the wee hours of morning and within a span of 40 - 45 days, the eggs are hatched and ready to bring the young hatchlings into the world. Many nature enthusiasts accumulate at the beach during the season to witness the enchanting phenomenon. You will also see many people picking up the newborns and transferring them to a bucket of water till they go and drop them off into the sea. It is done to save them from getting picked up by eagles, crows and other scavengers when they cover the distance of 100 metres from the eggs to the sea.