Olive Ridley Turtle Festival.

Going for this? Bhitarkanika in February

Getting there

Where to stay in Bhitarkanika

• Sand Pebbles Bhitarkanika Jungle Resort

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  jungle-resort · Khola, Dangmal, Rajnagar — at the Khola entry gate of Bhitarkanika National Park

  A 17-key Swiss-tent and room resort at the Khola gate of Bhitarkanika — AC luxury tents, deluxe tents and family suites, with a restaurant ('The Crocodile') doing local prawn and crab. The most established private base for crocodile and bird safaris in the park.

• Aranyanivas Bhitarkanika (OTDC)

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  government-guesthouse · Bhitarkanika National Park — the OTDC state-tourism property in the mangrove park

  The Odisha Tourism Development Corporation's Bhitarkanika property — government-run accommodation inside the mangrove national park, the dependable state-tourism base for boat safaris to spot estuarine crocodiles and the heronry. Book ahead through OTDC.

• Killa Aul Palace

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  heritage-homestay · Aul, on the banks of the Kharasrota River — a 40-acre palace estate near Bhitarkanika

  A 16th-century royal estate turned heritage homestay, hosted by the current royal family — traditional architecture, gardens across 40 acres, kayaking on the Kharasrota and guided visits to Bhitarkanika for crocodile and bird watching. A distinctive heritage gateway to the park.

All stays in Bhitarkanika →

Where to eat

• Dangmal Forest Rest House Canteen

  Dangmal, inside Bhitarkanika National Park · ₹₹

  SignatureBasic Odia meals — rice, dal and fish curry cooked to order

  Meals must be arranged in advance with the rest-house caretaker — there is no walk-in kitchen deep inside the park. Confirm food when you book your Forest Department permit and accommodation. Carry your own water, tea and snacks; supplies inside the mangroves are minimal.

• The Crocodile Restaurant (Sand Pebbles Bhitarkanika Jungle Resorts)

  Khola, near the Bhitarkanika National Park gate · ₹₹

  SignatureFish patra poda — fish wrapped in leaves and slow-cooked

  Bhitarkanika has almost no standalone restaurants — meals here come bundled with resort or camp packages, so book on a meal-inclusive plan rather than expecting walk-in à la carte. Ask for the fish patra poda specifically; it is the regional speciality. Stock up on water and snacks before entering the park's boat zones.

• Bhitarkanika Eco Resorts Dining

  Nalitapatia, near the Khola gate · ₹₹

  SignatureHome-style Odia meals included with the stay

  As with everything at Bhitarkanika, dining here is for resort guests on a meal-inclusive package, not casual diners — book the room-with-meals plan. The kitchen is small, so flag any dietary needs at check-in. Khola gate is the road-accessible entry; reaching the park interior still needs a boat.

All eateries in Bhitarkanika →

Other festivals in February, elsewhere

• Desert FestivalFebruary (3 days)
• Fagli FestivalFebruary
• Taj MahotsavFebruary 18-27 (10 days)
• Nawalgarh FestivalFebruary (varies)
• Baneshwar FairFebruary (Magh Purnima)
• Gopeshwar Shivratri MelaFebruary-March (Maha Shivaratri)

See every festival in February →