Rathika Ramasamy Mangalajodi Masterclass, 2025
Workshop : Mangalajodi Bird Photography Masterclass
Venue : Mangalajodi, Near Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
Workshop Dates : 10th-13th December, 2025 (3 Nights/4 Days)
Workshop Costs : INR 38,000/- (Twin sharing )
Available seats : 2 seats
Prerequisite : Basic Photography knowledge.
For registration Please click here.
Itinerary for Mangalajodi :
Day 1 : December 10th, 2025 :
- Arrival at Bhubaneswar airport by 9:00 AM.
- Departure for Mangalajodi. Check-in between 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM.
- Introduction session. Post-lunch, embark on an afternoon photography shoot via boat safari.
- Evening : Photography review session .
Day 2: December 11th, 2025 :
- Bird photography session and evening boat safari.
- Evening : Photography review session .
Day 3: December 12th, 2025 :
- Bird photography session : Morning and evening boat safari
- Evening : Photography review session .
Day 4: December 13th, 2025 :
- Morning birding session, Boat safari.
- Breakfast. • Check-out and departure.
Detailed schedule and packing list will be send once the registration is complete.
Cost includes :
- Mentor fee + tax
- Birding local guide charges
- Boating charges
- Park entry fee
- Accommodation at Mangalajodi Eco Tourism Homestay(Twin sharing)
- Food
- Local transport .
Cost Excludes :
- Air fare
- Transport from Bhubaneswar Airport to Mangalajodi and return from Mangalajodi to Bhubaneswar Airport.
- Any meal or extras not mentioned.
- Any kind of personal expenses like mineral water, soft drinks, phone calls. laundry etc
- Any additional activities.
- Any extra expenses due to change in itinerary due to delay/cancellation of flight, natural calamity, political unrest, medical condition or any other unforeseen circumstance.
Payment Terms:
You can register paying a 50% amount as registration confirmed(Non refundable).
Balance to be paid one month before the masterclass.
You can pay GPay or Direct bank transfer. Once registration is confirmed, will send the mode of payment details.
Other details:
- Accommodation : Eco tourism home stay (twin sharing)
- We have limited the number of seats to just 6, ensuring that Rathika can dedicate more individual time to each participant
- The transfer to Mangalajodi (1.30 hours from Bhubaneswar airport) will depart at 9-10 am.
- Return flight to be booked late afternoon or evening of 13th December 2025
- Car pool will be arranged at Bhubaneswar airport for participants on a shared cost basis (Details of cost will be shared closer to the trip date ).
- If your flight is delayed or arrives late, we can try and help you organise an alternative transfer but please be aware that the cost of this will have to be completely borne by you and not be shared by other participants.
- A WhatsApp group will be created for all participants once registration is closed, it helps with logistics coordination.
About the masterclass :
Rathika Ramasamy believes Managalajodi is an excellent place to explore and enhance one’s bird action photography skills, especially for capturing birds in flight, action shots, and creative nature photography. Mangalajodi is a place where you simply can’t stop pressing the shutter! It’s perfect for learning in-flight bird and action photography. The beauty of this location lies in how close the birds are—you can capture stunning shots even with a 300mm lens. Terns and Gulls will often fly right in front of you, offering endless photography opportunities.
The number of participants is intentionally limited to ensure Rathika and her team can provide personalized guidance, shoot alongside you, and share their expertise in real time. If you’re already into bird photography, this immersive field experience will deepen your understanding of bird habitats and help you create impactful, storytelling images. You’ll also learn how to capture dynamic action shots, making your photographs more compelling and visually striking.
Who could attend :
Whether you’re an aspiring or experienced bird photographer, this Masterclass is designed for anyone looking to elevate their skills. With over two decades of expertise, Rathika will guide you in anticipating action shots, understanding bird behavior and habitats, and mastering focusing techniques.
Mangalajodi is a birding paradise, offering the perfect setting to practice various techniques—from slow-motion shots and action photography to eye-level water bird compositions. Join this immersive experience and take your bird photography to the next level!
About Mangalajodi, Chilka Lake, Odisha
Chilka Lake is a bird paradise with many breeding residents and attracting thousands of migratory waterfowls. The Government of India declared the lake as a Ramsar Site in 1981, under the Convention of Wetlands of International Importance, especially as a waterfowl habitat. Chilkalake has over 200 species of birds, during the migratory season including 80 migratory birds.
Lighting was perfect and the background was clear for great photography of birds in flight. Black-tailed Godwits, that migrate and breed at this place, were in thousands. It is a wondrous scene to see these birds taking off in large flocks and cover the sky. Most of the shy birds like Bailon's Crake, Ruddy-breasted Crake, Spotted Crake and Yellow Bitterns will come from the grasses. Breeding ground for the Whiskered Terns, where you get to see them very near to you inflight. Numbers of waterfowls are huge like Northern Pintails and Northern Shovelers. Many small waders get camouflaged in the mud patches, good place to sight and photograph waders like Pacific Golden Plover, Kentish Plover, Little Stint, and the Oriental Pratincole.
The highlight of this place is that it has not become a commercial tourist spot. With a very large number and a high density of birds, it is an amazing place for bird photographers. Small fishing boats available to bird shoot. Most of the waterbirds, we need eye level images, photography from boat gives good eye level photography, you can go very near to them.
Mode of Transport :
Nearest railway station: Bhubaneshwar
By Air:
The nearest airports is Bhubaneshwar Participants are advised to book early morning flights from their respective cities. For return, book late evening flights.
If participants book their flights to arrive at the same time, a shared taxi from the airport can be arranged.
Mode of payment :
You can register paying 50% amount as registration confirmed(Non refundable).
Balance to be paid one month before the masterclass.
You can pay GPay or Direct bank transfer. Once registration is confirmed, will send the mode of payment details.
Terms and conditions :
*The workshop charges for Indian National Only. Foreign nationals write to us for charges.
*Rathika Ramasamy Photography is organising the workshop. It does not own or operate or control any transport company, hotel etc. We will take care of all arrangements with most care, but it since it has no control in their operation, it cannot be held responsible for any loss, damage, injury or death which may be caused by the act or default of the management or employees of any, hotels, airlines, transport company.
*Littering and taking anything from nature trails is strictly prohibited. All parks has certain rules to follow, everyone has to follow the rules. Breaking the rules is series offence.
*All our photography workshops we follow ethics of wildlife photography, Nesting Photography and sharing information about nesting places are not permitted.
*Group video, photographs we will use for promotion purpose. If any individual does not agree, feel free to inform us via email or whatzup message before the workshop.
*Don’t take locals and other participants without their permission. Don’t share them without concerned person permission.
*Alcohol & Smoking is strictly prohibited during the workshop.
*Rathika Ramasamy Photography will not be held responsible in case of any legal action mentioned above points.
*It is wildlife, Rathika Ramasamy Photography does not guarantee any wildlife sightings. Participants should come with open mind. Though we try capture all check list birds.
Please register only if you agree with Rathika Ramasamy Photography workshops terms and conditions.
