About Mangalajodi

Mangalajodi is one of the oldest village coming under Tangi block of Khurda district in Odisha, 75 km from Bhubaneswar towards Berhampur with a huge marshland along the northern edge of Chilika Lake. The area (about 10 sq.km) is primarily a fresh water zone connected by channels cut through the reed beds with the brakish water of Chilika lagoon. The numerous channels that crisscross through the greenery, harbour thousands of water birds, migratory and resident. Part of Chilika, 1165 sq.kms.brakish water estuarine lagoon of international importance. The wetland hosts more than 3,00,000 of birds in the peak season. October to March is the best time to visit this place. This region has is a significant global waterfowl habitat and is declared as an “Important Bird Area (IBA)”.

Mangalajodi epitomizes a sustainable lifestyle that is at brink of extinction. Mangalajodi village consists mainly of fishermen communities, who go fishing every evening to Chilika Lake and come back the next morning with fresh catch. Local communities still dwell on the indigenous methods of catching fish wherein country made fishing nets are made out of bamboo which do not pose a threat to aquatic life. Fish is an important part of their diet and can be cooked in many forms i.e. cooked; smoked or even sun dried - commonly called “Sukhua”. Dried fish is the staple food and eaten with fermented rice – another peculiarity of Odia Cuisine called “Pokhal Bhat.” Women are involved in collection of fuel wood which is actually dried leaves i.e. they don’t cut a tree for fuel wood - rather utilizes dried leaves.

Mangalajodi was famous as ‘poachers’ village’ because of the involvement of villagers in water bird poaching on a large, commercial scale. Even the eggs were not spared. It was no surprise therefore, when the census in the year 2000, counted a mere 5,000 birds in these waters. 

Chilika Development Authority, Department Forest and Environment and many private agencies put in efforts to reverse the situation. After many battles and years of deliberation, managed to wean the poachers away from their trade by giving them hope of a sustainable and peaceful livelihood from tourism that the Mangalajodi Marshes held immense potential for. The erstwhile poachers today actively patrol and protect their marshes from bird poachers. Born naturalists, they monitor the bird population, co-ordinate with the forest department, assist in research and take tourists around on birding trips into the marshes.

Protection has benefited not only Manglajodi birds, but all of its fantastic biodiversity including, among myriad others, fishes, snakes, monitor lizards and the elusive Fishing Cat.

Mangalajodi also has its spiritual importance. The ritual performances of the villagers are interesting. Many occasions and festivals are celebrated here. “Danda Yatra” , one of the important ritual performed by the villagers in an interesting way, is celebrated in the month of March – April (Chaitra in Odia language). “Shree Ram Leela Folk Theatre” is another significant performance of the villagers, celebrated on the eve of Shree Rama Navami. “Paika Akhada” is another marshal art dance form performed by the villagers on important occasions.

Patita Paban temple is the oldest and the biggest temple of this village. Besides, Gupteswar temple, Nilakanthaswara Dev temple, Maa Mangala temple, Maa Bramhani temple, and Maa Balimajhi Devi temple are the famous religious spots of Mangalajodi. Ancient legends of these temples give a unique religious status to this village. The surroundings of Maa Balimajhi Devi temple is a picnic spot at Mangalajodi. Another important one being “Raghunath temple”, approximately 250 years old, is in the vicinity of village.

Country boat manufacturing units in Mangalajodi supply different types of wooden boats to government and people of nearby villages. There are five boat manufacturing units operational in the village - witnessing the possibility of a port called Mangalajodi. Fishermen from more than 50 nearby villages depend on these manufacturing units for fishing in Chilika lake. Every winter season, the very sight of transporting boats to jetty is a common phenomenon – though not the way its in urban settings.

The name Mangalajodi has many myths. The village has twin temples – the reason behind calling it ‘Mangalajodi’ in the first place (Jodi refers to two). People also say Mangalajodi was a harbor where all big ships used to halt during their trading spree in Odisha.