Chronic pancreatitis is a progressive inflammatory disease of the pancreas characterized by destruction of pancreatic parenchyma and subsequent fibrosis. The prevalence of chronic pancreatitis has been found to be very high in southern India (114-200/100 000 population). Alcohol is the most common etiology worldwide, while idiopathic pancreatitis is the most common type in India and China, accounting for approximately 70% of all cases of chronic pancreatitis. It is a cause of considerable morbidity in the form of pain, steatorrhea and diabetes mellitus. Natural history of chronic pancreatitis is characterized by variable course stretching over decades with recurrent acute pancreatitis in the early stage and steatorrhea, diabetes and pancreatic calcification in the later stages. Pain is a prominent clinical feature of chronic pancreatitis and the most troublesome symptom for which medical attention is often sought. Unfortunately, despite much work, the pathophysiology of pain in CP remains poorly understood. Multiple factors have been suspected, which include inflammation, encasement of sensory nerves by the fibrotic process and neuropathy, and duct obstruction, which can lead to high back pressure and parenchymal ischemia. Increased pressure in the main pancreatic duct is likely to be an important cause of pain, particularly in patients with duct dilatation. This explanation forms the conceptual basis for both endoscopic and surgical drainage procedures. Approximately one half of patients with pain owing to chronic pancreatitis come to an intervention aimed principally at pain relief, along with relief of bile duct, duodenal, and major venous obstruction. Patients with chronic pancreatitis can be treated with medical management, endoscopic therapy and surgical treatment. For patients with dilated ducts, ductal decompression is advocated. The pros and cons of endoscopic versus surgical therapy are debated.