Cuttack
Time stops in Cuttack. Katakis are a confident lot, with a thousand years of history behind them. Thousands of Katakis witnessed the Century’s worst floods in their unique style, eating Dahibara and Aloo Dum on the embankments of Kathajodi and Mahanadi. Bhaichara, Parampara, and Aitiho: these three words dominate every public discourse in Cuttack. Roughly translated, these words mean brotherhood, tradition, and history. We have seen all, is the predominant sentiment of Katakis.
Top 9 Attractions
1. Ansupa Lake
68 km West of Cuttack, lies the Ansupa lake in the Banki sub-division of Cuttack district. The
Saranda mountains are to the west, and the Mahanadi river is to the south of this lake. Even
though it’s small, it does not hesitate to captivate the eyes of the visitor. It is the home of
various migratory birds in the winter.
2. 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.
3. Barabati Stadium
The Barabati Stadium is a cricket venue in the eastern Indian city of Cuttack, Odisha. It is the
home ground of the Odisha cricket team and is operated by the Odisha Cricket Association. The
Barabati Stadium is one of the older grounds in India.
4. Dhawaleshwar Temple
Dhawaleshwar Temple is situated on an islet in the middle of the river Mahanadi in the district
of Cuttack. The temple is established on the top of a tiny mountain peak. This temple is devoted
to Lord Shiva. It is a very charming place with serene beauty.
5. Cuttack Chandi Temple
Chandi is the presiding deity of the city, and the shrine dedicated to her is on the itinerary
of all those visiting Cuttack. The temple still bears the architectural resonance with its
splendidly carved interiors and gateways. It attracts tourists from every pocket of the country.
6. Lalitagiri
The earliest Buddhist Complex, dating back to the 1st Century AD, Lalitagiri forms an important
node of the Diamond Triangle, i.e., Lalitagiri (in the present Cuttack district) and Ratnagiri
and Udayagiri (in the present Jajpur district). The majestic ruins of the huge brick monastery,
the remains of the Chaitya hall, several votive stupas, and a renovated stone stupa at the apex
of a small, rugged sandstone hill dominate the rural greenery around.
7. Naraj
A picturesque scenic spot, Naraj was a famous seat for Buddhist culture and learning. It is at the confluence of the Mahanadi and the Kathajodi. The scenic view of the river Mahanadi at the origin of its branch, Kathajodi, is simply bewitching. A famous Shiva temple, the Sidheshwara Mahadev temple, is situated here. The place is best reached by taxi from Cuttack, which is about 15 km away.
8. Odisha State Maritime Museum
The Odisha Maritime Museum is located by the Mahanadi River. It opened in 2013 and is one of the
first maritime museums in India. The museum was built on the
site of an old British workshop called the Jobra Workshop, where boats were once made and
repaired. Inside the museum, there are many interesting galleries that show the rich sea history
of Odisha. You can learn about how boats were made long ago, how Odisha traded with other
countries by sea, and how sailors lived and worked.
9. Ravenshaw College
Ravenshaw University came into existence on November 15, 2006. It was an upgradation of
Ravenshaw College, established in 1868, one of the oldest and largest colleges in India. The
college was established in 1868 by Thomas Edward Ravenshaw, a descendant of William Withers.