Cuttack Travel Guide
Cuttack earlier known as the Abhinaba Baranasi Kataka was always the
capital of the rulers of Orissa. Owing to its fertile land and strategic
positions for the trade and commerce, Cuttack till recently held a
significant position in the state of Orissa. It was only after 1956 that
the capital of the state was shifted to Bhubaneshwar and since then
Cuttack became a bustling commercial capital of the state. Cuttack was
founded by Nripati Kesari in the early 10th century. It was sited due to
its strategic position in relation to the network of canals in the
region. The town is almost an island and situated at the head of the
Mahanadi delta and surrounded by the great river and its tributary the
Kathjuri. The place was a major river crossing for the busy north-south
land route as well as a nexus for the canals that connect the Orissa
interior with the sea. The island proved an ideal platform from which to
dominate the region's economy. The rulers of the Kesari dynasty built
many beautiful structures in Cuttack which still stand a witness to the
glorious period of Cuttack. Later Cuttack went into the hands of the
Mughals and later the Nawabs of Bengal took over. The Marathas took over
Cuttack in the 18th century, and during this time, it expanded
further.Lucrative trade and other promising things made the British make
Cuttack as their capital when they merged the small princely states of
the region. It was only after India gained and independence and the
state of Orissa was founded with the linguistic background in 1956, that
the capital was shifted to Bhubaneshwar.
Cuttack now is a bustling commercial capital of the state and is the
base camp for many a tourist destination. Its historical importance and
the recent commercialization has made the city a favourite tourist
destination. It is a shoppers' paradise with most of the Orissan
handicraft items on sale on the streets of Cuttack
Getting There:
By Air : The nearest airport from Cuttack is
Bhubaneswar, which is around 29 km away. Flights to other important
cities in India can be taken from here.
By Rail : Cuttack is an important station on the
Kolkatta-Chennai main railway line and connected to Kolkatta, Chennai,
Delhi, and Mumbai through regular trains.
By Road : National Highway No. 5 passes through
Cuttack and makes it the most accessible city of Orissa. The city is
connected through regular bus services from Bhubaneswar, Puri, and other
important cities of the state.
The distances from some major cities to Cuttack are: Kolkatta, 416 km;
Delhi, 1720 km; Gaya, 749 km; Mumbai, 1482 km; and Varanasi, 940 km.
Tourist Attractions:
Barabati Fort
The medieval Barabati Fort, with its moat and gate and the earthen
mound of the nine-storied palace, is situated on the bank of the river
Mahanadi.
Quadam-i-Rasool
A sacred shrine both for the Hindus and Muslims, Quadam-i-Rasool, has a
compound wall and towers at each corner. Inside the shrine are three
mosques with beautiful domes and a Nawabat Khana (music gallery). It is
an object of veneration for Hindus and Muslims alike.
Chandi
Chandi is the presiding deity of the city and the shrine dedicated to
her is on the itinerary of all those visiting Cuttack.
