Cuttack, a city in the eastern Indian province of Odisha, is almost an island, due to its location at the top of the Mahanadi River delta and encompassed by the extraordinary waterway and its feeder, the Kathjuri River.
Almost 25 km away from the State’s capital Bhubaneswar, Cuttack invests heavily in having been the state capital for quite a long time in the past. It was solely after 1956 that the capital of the state was moved to Bhubaneswar and from that point forward Cuttack has worn the mantle of being the business centre of the state.
An abode of archaeological wonders, enthralling beaches and ancient temples, Cuttack spreads across a geographical area of 192.5 sq. km, has never been devoid of drawing in voyagers. Notable for its silver filigree works, horn works, Patta Chitra compositions, earthenware, woodcarving, craftsmanship calfskin and different handiworks, it is appropriate to consider it a customers’ heaven.
While the entire city including its shopping districts have a tale of their own, here are a few famous places of Cuttack that are a ‘must visit’ for the travelers:
Odisha Maritime Museum
The Odisha maritime museum in Cuttack gives colossal data about the antiquated journeys and route innovation. The gallery, which has been set up at the Jorba workshop, has numerous displays of the fragments of the erstwhile journeys.
With a delightful foundation, totally open green space and a very much looked after aquarium, the historical centre delineates the historical backdrop of the route through objects, diagrams, photos and models. The historical centre likewise incorporates a 4D show for youngsters as well as the grown-ups. Guests can likewise appreciate a stroll near Mahanadi close by.
Cuttack Chandi Temple
Considered the most seasoned sanctuary in Cuttack, the Chandi temple lays grandly on the banks of the River Mahanadi. With a symbol of goddess Chandi who is viewed as the living goddess by the local folks of Cuttack, this small site is a significant tourist spot.
The idol embellishing the sanctuary is said to have risen out of the ground while burrowing. The goddess herself appeared in Hansa Panda’s (who was the Purohit of the then King of Kanika) dreams and asked him to take her out of the ground. From that point onwards, people of Cuttack have revered the goddess as a ‘living being’. This old sanctuary with an excellent passage and engineering has become a reflection of Odiya culture and customs. The best time to visit this sanctuary is during the Dugra and Kali pooja celebrations.
Paradeep Beach
About 94 km from Cuttack, the Paradeep seashore is situated at the conflux of Mahanadi and Bay of Bengal. Sightseers decide to encounter the blue waters at the hour of dawn and nightfall. Ideal for sunbathing, the seashore gloats of a calm beaches, rich greenery and delightful stones laid on the sides of the seashore.
Barabati Fort
Built by the Ganga dynasty in the eleventh century, the Barabati Fort was re-inherent in the 14th century. The moat, gate and earthen mound of the nine-celebrated royal residences aid travelers remember the rich past of Cuttack.
Sitting close to the contemporary Barabati Stadium, the fortress has likewise had a complicatedly cut passage and a 20-yard wide ditch to most forts. Recent excavations and investigations by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) show confirmation of a manor made of khondalite stone. Lately, several idols of deities and female dancers have been dug out from this chronicled site, which adds to the historical appeal of the fort.
Bhitarkanika National Park
One must not miss exploring variety of flora and fauna in Cuttack. Rambling over a zone of 672 sq km, Bhitarkanika opens the travellers to encounter wildlife in its surreal natural surroundings.
One of the few public parks in India that permit boat rides to tour the park, Bhitarkanika is known for its variety of crocodiles. Once, Bhitarkanika was home to the world’s biggest crocodile too. Thick mangrove woods likewise draw present-day travellers towards their natural habitat.
Aashi is a working PR professional who enjoys a good amount of her free time reading, cooking, and taking care of her 2 dogs.