One of the major cities and trading centres of odisha, Cuttack is located on the banks Mahanadi, the state’s most important river. There are plenty of interesting religious, historical and cultural sites to savour in and around this city. The ruins of the Barabati Fort are an archeologist’s delight. What makes Cuttack a compelling destination is its being the most convenient base for visiting the famous Buddhist sites of Lalitgiri, Udayagiri and Ratnagiri.
Known for brass and horn work, silverware and filigree, and silk and cotton textiles, Cuttack, also called Millennium City, is a great place to shop for souvenirs.
Located in the heart of the city, the fort is a prime destination for history buffs. Built by the the rulers of the Ganga dynasty on the bank of the Mahanadi, the fort is located adajascent to the shrine of Katak Chandi, the presiding deity of Cuttack.
A famous sacred site in odisha, the 18th century shrine comrpisning mosques is venerated by both the Hindus and the Muslims. The shrine predominantly figures in the list of Cuttack’s attractions.
One of the oldest temples in odisha, the shrine is dedicated to Lord Shiva. What makes it unique is that its water hole (Ananta Garva), immerses the sanctum sanctorum on sacred occasions.
Visitors, who travel to Cuttack, set off for the ancestral house of Netaji Suhash Chandra Bose who was born in and brought up here till the days of his early education. It has now been converted into a museum which conatins the memorabilia of Netaji who had founded the Indian National Army to achieve independence for India from the British.
Other attraction that will dray your attention in Cuttack is the Stone Revetments which protect the river banks at the city. Completed in the 11th century AD, these Revetments are testament to highly developed technological skill of ancient Odisha.
24 km from Cuttack Choudwar is situated on the northern banks of the Mahanadi. It was the capital of the Ganga rulers who removed their capial to Cuttack in the early part of the 13th century. The ruins of eight Shiv pithas (temples) built by the Keshari Dynasty are the major attractions here. The 12th century Chateswar-Bateswar Temple is another highlight of Choudwar.
30 km from Cuttack, Chatia or Chhatiabata as it called locally, is a famous pilgrimage centre. Ananta Gopal temple, another adobe of Lord Jagannath , is a major attartion here. It is belived that Lord Jagannath and his siblings will return to this temple as Puri will be submerged by the sea in future. The empty pedestal of the temple is a sign of this prophecy.
Chatia is known for its Amaravati-Kataka, one of the five forts built by Chodaganga Deva.
A beautiful island on the Mahanadi river, Dhavaleswar is home to a well-known Shiva Shrine attartcing thousands oof visiitors. Visitors can reach the shrine either by by ferrying across the Mahanadi river or a hanging bridge. Dhavaleswar is 35 km from Cuttack.
A scentic place on the bank of Mahanadi river, Naraj is home to several Buddhist relics. 18km from Cuttack, the place is famous for Siddheswar temple.
92 km from Cuttack, located on the bank of the Mahanadi River, the place is well-known for temple dedicated to the Goddess Charchika on the bank of the Mahanadi. A centre of tantricism, the shrine houses the eight-armed deity of Chamunda. Anshupa Lake is locatd here.
43 kms from Cuttack is located Chandikhol which is famous for its Mahavinayak temple which attartcs thousands of visitors every year. Situted in a breataking landscape aocmppriisng thickly wooded hills and perennial stream, the Mahavinayak temple, dedicated to Lord Ganesha, is unique in the sensne that Ganesha, Shiva, Vishnu, Shakti and Sun God are worshiped as a single deity in a single sanctum sanctorum. An eco-tourism centre has been set up.
47 km from Cuttack, Niali is home the 12th century Sobhaneswar temple which is located on the Prachi River, a tributary of Mahanadi. The walls of the temple are adorned with beautiful sculptures which are in urgent need of preservation.
Spread over an area of 141-hectare, the picturesque lake of Ansupa attracts birdswatechers. Located in an incredible landscape of the Saranda Hills and Mahanadi River, this sweet water lake attartcs migratory birds in winter. Visiotrs can enjoy boating and fishing in the lake. Ansupa Lake is 70 km from Cuttack.
70 km from Cuttack is located the world renowned 3 Buddhist sites of Ratnagiri, Udayagiri and Lalitgiri, The excavations of these sites by the Archeological Survey of India established the rich Buddhist heritage in Orissa dating back to the ancient period.
It is believed to be the earliest Buddhist complex as early as the 1st century AD. The huge rock monastery, the remains of a chaitya, a number of votive stupas, and a renovated stone stupa at the apex of a rugged sandstone hill dominates the rural greenery around. The discovery of caskets containing sacred relics, probably of the Buddha himself from the stone stupa at the top of the hill enhances the sacredness of the place for the Buddhist world.
Situated on the Virupa river valey of Cuttuck, Ratnagiri is famous for its rich Buddhist antiquarian remains. Excavations have revealed two large monasteries, a big stupa, Buddhist shrines, sculptures and a number of votive stupas. This Buddhist settlement dates back to the first half of the 6th century A.D suring the period of the Gupta ruler, Narsimha Gupta Baladitya. It was an important centre of Vajrayan form of Buddhishm in which tantricism played its part.
Udaygiri is the largest Buddhist complex in Orissa. Excavations have revealed the ancient name of the monastery as Madhavpura Mahavihara and brought to light a sprawling complex of brick monastery with a number of Buddhist structures. These structures consist of Boddhisatva figures and Dhyani Buddha figures belonging to the Buddhist pantheon that flourished between 7th – 12th centuries AD.
Air: Nearest Airport is Biju Patnaik Airport, Bhubaneswar, 29 kms from Cuttack. It connects Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengalur Chennai, Hyderabad, Raipur by Indian Airlines, Kingfisher and Indigo airlines.
Rail: Cuttack is connected by direct train from Bhubaneswar, Puri, Kolkata, Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai and all other all major cities of India.
Road: The National Highway NH.5 passes through the city of Cuttack which is connected by motorable roads to different places and cites of India. Some of the places and cities connected with Cuttack are Bhubaneswar (62km), Patadip (94 km), Kolkata (416 km), Ranchi (516 km) and Jamshedpur (369 KM).
Hotel Akbari Continental, Hotel Dwarika Resorts, Hotel Sagar Shree, Hotel Blue Lagoon, Hotel Surya Kiran, Hotel Ashoka, Hotel Bishal Inn, Hotel Ambika, Hotel Basanti, Hotel Silver City, Hotel Bishal, Hotel Roxy, Hotel Sagar, Hotel Anand, Hotel Veena, Hotel Bijay, Hotel Adarsha, Hotel Maitri, Hotel Jasmin and Cuttack Hotel are some of the famous hotels in Cuttack.