Cuttak Tour & Travel Guide

Intricate Silver Filigree, Old Forts, Lip Smacking street food… It’s Cuttack

Cuttack, also spelt as Katak, is the millennium city of Odisha, which is more than a thousand years old. It is fondly called the Silver City owing to the globally recognized intricate silver filigree work done here. Cuttack was the previous capital of Odisha, and now a modern city rooted to Odiya traditions, which holds a perfect combination of traditional and modern lifestyle. It is also the second largest city in Orissa and an epicenter of commercial activities. The town is buzzing non-stop with cultural activities, performances, plays, religious celebrations, festivals, exhibitions & trade fairs. The very famous Baliyatra is also held here, which commemorates the ancient trade links of our country with Java, Bali and Sumatra. The city has innumerable touristy points of attraction owing to its rich history.

The history of Cuttack dates back to the Keshari dynasty. Historian Andrew Stirling, mentions that present-day Cuttack is the military cantonment of the past, which was set up by King Nrupa Keshari in 989 CE. The reign of Maharaja Markata Keshari is still alive for the stone embank that was built during his reign to protect this place from the massive flood in 1002 CE. Certain historical and archaeological evidence show Cuttack as the capital of a kingdom founded by Raja Anangabhimadeva III in 1211 CE.[13] After the end of Ganga rule, Odisha passed to the hands of the Suryavamsi Gajapati dynasty (1434–1541 CE) , Raja Mukunda deva and Mughals. By 1750, Cuttack was ruled by Maratha and it expanded as a business center. British occupied Cuttack in 1803 and from 1948 onwards Cuttack was an administrative headquarters for the state of Odisha.

Cuttack is dotted with Historical and Religious places. Some historical places of interest here include Barabati Fort, Cantonment, Maratha barracks, Anand Bhavan Museum Chudangagarh Fort, Madhusudan Sangrahalaya, Old Jail Complex and the Freedom Fighter's Memorial, Netaji Birthplace Museum, Odisha State Maritime Museum, Shree Gopal Krishna Goshala, Swaraj Ashram, Salt House, Lal Bagh Palace, Kanika Rajbati, Lalitgiri, Olasuni Hill, Barabati stadium, Gora Kabar Cemetery, Jobra barrage, and Odisha High Court complex. The different religious sites here include Cuttack Chandi Temple, Baba Ramdev Temple, Paramhansa Nath Temple, Qadam e Rasool, Jama Masjid, Madrasa and Odisha Urdu Library, Gurdwara Guru Nanak Daatan Sahib, Bukhari Baba Dargah, Digambar Jain Mandir and The Church of Epiphany. Once done with city tour visit nearby places like Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary and Dhabaleshwar.

Cuttack is rightly termed as the street food capital of Odisha. It is famous for its Dahibara Aloodam, Chaat, Puchuka (panipuri), Samosas and sweets like Chhena poda, Rasagulla etc. The city some popular food hubs like Dolamundai, Chandini Chowk, Choudhary Bazar, Bidanasi, Buxi Bazar, Stadium Road etc. Apart from street food, Cuttack is world famous for its Tarakasi (Filigree) work. This is an intricate & extensive art used in making of silver artefacts like jewelry, decorative pieces, souvenirs and a wide variety of accessories. This is an art form alive for more than 500 years now.