Barabati Fort
The ruins of a medieval fort with its moat and gate, and the earthen mound of the nine-storeyed palace, lie on the bank of the river Mahanadi as the silent witness of the vicissitudes of Odisha's history. It is a mute testimony to the glorious days of the past. Built around the 11th Century, it could not withstand the time, and later a nine-story palace was built in the 14th Century. It was looted by the Mughals and other Islamic rulers. The Fort has a huge moat surrounding it, which used to be full of crocodiles and water in its heyday. Today, the interiors of the forts have been transformed into a stadium, but it still retains its old charm.
Another item of interest for the visitors to Barabati is the Stadium adjacent to the fort. The Stadium, with its impressive structure, covers an area of twenty-five acres and affords seating capacity for more than thirty thousand persons. Its construction work started in 1954. Since then, its delightful soft green turf hums almost daily, with programs of sports events and cultural functions. The sprawling modern cricket stadium near Barabati Fort. The stadium holds many Test and One-Day International cricket matches nowadays.
