Tourist places in and around Cuttack

Barabati Fort

Once home to a magnificent 9-storeyed palace, Barabati Fort is located on the banks of Mahanadi River. The highlights of this fort are the elaborately carved gateway and the Gadakhai moat surrounding it. The fort as we see today is actually an improvement on the original structure, which was built in laterite and sandstone. The interiors of the fort have been converted to a huge stadium, which is believed to have the capacity to accommodate over 30,000 people. This stadium is the venue of several sports tournaments and cultural activities.

The ruins of a medieval fort with its moat and gate and the earthen mound of the nine-storied palace on the bank of the river Mahanadi are noteworthy. Adjacent to the fort is a modern stadium.

Stone Revetment of Cuttack

This stone structure on the banks of River Kathjuri is a great engineering marvel of the 11th century AD. Constructed during the time of th Keshari Kings, these structures protect the city from floods.

Temple of Cuttack Chandi

Dedicated to Goddess Chandi, the presiding deity of the city, this temple is located close to the Barabati Fort. The presiding deity here is an incarnation of Goddess Durga and the temple has splendidly carved walls and gateways.

Being the shrine of the presiding deity of the city, the temple of Cuttack Chandi is normally visited by every Hindu visitor.

Quadam-i-Rasool

One of the most prominent mosques in Cuttack, the mosque is bounded by high walls and towers. There are three mosques within, which sport attractive domes and hallways. A fine blend of Indo-Islamic architecture, the central halls contains the footprints of Prhophet Mohammed on a circular stone. Also visit the Nawabat Khana, which is an 18th century music gallery.

A sacred shrine both for the Hindus and Muslims, Quadam-i-Rasool, having a compound wall and towers at each corner has inside three mosques with beautiful domes and a Nawabat Khana (music gallery). It is an object of veneration for Hindus and Muslims alike.

Paramhansnath Temple

Located on the outskirts of the city, this temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is famous for its Ananta Garva or waterhole, which is said to flood the temple on special occasions.

Dhawaleshwar

Located almost 37 km from Cuttack, this beautiful temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Perched on a hillock, the temple is set in sylvan green surroundings and is accessible by a flight of stairs.

Bhattarika (108 km)

This place is famous for the shrine of goddess Bhattarika, often crowded by pilgrims and picnickers.

Chandikhol

Located about 50 km from Cuttack, Chandikhol is a picnic spot set amidst thick hills and flowing springs. Important landmarks here include a shrine of the five godheads and the Ashram of Baba Bhairavananda.

Chandikhol in the lap of thickly wooded hills and by the side of a perennial stream is an extremely ideal picnic spot. The Ashram of Baba Bhairavananda is an added attraction of the place. Adjacent to Chandikhol, Mahavinayak enshrines the five godheads in one Lingam. It is a place of worship for Ganapati.

Choudwar - (10 km by road, 5 km by water)

Choudwar, a growing industrial area was once the capital of Somakuli Keshari Kings of Orissa. Eight prominent Siva pithas were established by the Keshari dynasty in the vicinity of Choudwar, which is now in ruins. Tradition records that it was the capital of Virat, the brother-in-law of Kichaka. The five Pandava brothers with their consort Draupadi took shelter in Choudwar in their secret exile.

Naraj - (15 km)

A picturesque scenic spot, Naraj was a famous seat for Buddhist culture and learning. The scenic view of the river Mahanadi at the origin of its branch Kathajodi is simply bewitching.

Ansupa Lake

Located about 70 km from Cuttack, Ansupa is known for its picturesque landscapes of mangroves and bamboo trees and stunning views of the Saranda Mountains. This pictorial lake is a home to a large number of migratory birds and you can hire a boat and enjoy an interesting session of bird spotting and fishing.

Ansupa, the small but picturesque lake holds a prominent position in the tourist map of Orissa and offers an asylum to the migratory birds in winter. The play of the shadow of Saranda Mountain and surrounding bamboo and mango groves on the rippling waters of Ansupa make it a real thing of beauty. One can have a boat journey or go for fishing in the lake. Ansupa is 70 km from Cuttack and 20 km from Raja-Athagarh station, connected with regular bus service.

Chhatia (30 km)

Popularly known as Chhatiabata, Chhatia is a sacred place of pilgrimage. The shrine of Lord Jagannath at Chhatia is a modern piece of Orissan temple architecture. Nearby one can find the archaeological remains of Amaravati-Kataka, one of the five important forts of Chodaganga Deva. Amaravati with the backdrop of the hill "Dhania" presents an attractive sight.

Dhabaleswar (35 km)

A small island in the Mahanadi, the temple of Dhabaleswar is situated on a hillock. Though a new structure, sculptures of 10 / 11th century A.D. are found in the temple premises.

Jajpur (92 km)

Otherwise known as Vaitarani Tirtha, Jajpur with Goddess Viraja (Durga) as its presiding deity is one of the sacred places of pilgrimage in Orissa. The place has its unique importance in India as Navigaya Kshetra where pinda is offered for the satisfaction of the ancestors. The shrine of Sweta Varaha (the white boar incarnation of Vishnu) along with hundreds of other shrines here made Jajpur a Tirtha par excellence. The "Dasasvamedha Ghat", the flight of steps leading to the Vaitarani where the ten horse sacrifices were performed is a great sanctified spot for the Hindus.

Kendrapara (65 km)

Known as "Tulasi Kshetra", Kendrapara is famous for the temple of Lord Baladeva. A grand car festival is held here annually which draws a mammoth crowd.

Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary

Sprawled over 672 square Kilometers, it has a variety of animals in its mangrove forests crises-crossed by rivers and creeks. Known for crocodiles, sea turtles (on the Gahirmatha beach) and water monitor lizards, it has rare white crocodiles. It is also a sanctuary for deer and migratory birds. One can also see 10th-11th century temple, sculptures, mud-forts and pottery. Accommodation is available at the forest Inspection Bungalow and Interpretation Center at Dangmal and Forest Rest house at Ekakula on Gahirmatha beach. Contact Divisional Forest Officer, Rajnagar, Dist, Kendrapara.

Niali-Madhava (47 km)

Niali is famous for the shrine of Sovaneswar. There is an archaeological sculpture shed here. 8 km from Niali is Madhava, a small village where is enshrined the lovely image of Madhava. It is also a beautiful picnic spot.

Paradeep (94 km)

Paradeep, a major sea port of India for trade activities with a fine sea beach and a marine drive is an enjoyable tourist resort attracting large number of visitors from far and wide.

Ratnagiri (70 km),

Lalitgiri (50 km) and Udayagiri (60 km): These are renowned Buddhist pilgrimage centers forming the Diamond Triangle of Orrisa. All the three regions are filled with rock-cut caves, excavated monasteries, viharas, chaityas and sacred relics in terracotta chambers.

These three hills comprise a remarkable Buddhist complex. Hieun-T'sang, the Chinese pilgrim found it to be the seat of a flourishing Buddhist University called "Puspagiri". Extensive ruins of brick pagodas, sculptured stone portals and esoteric Buddhist images testifying its ancient glory have been unearthed. Ratnagiri is the gem of this complex. The magnificently carved doorjambs of the Vihar and superbly finished Buddha images form perhaps the greatest concentration of Buddhist sculptures of the post-Gupta period. Ratnagiri is 70 km, Lalitgiri is 55 km and Udayagiri is 60 km from Cuttack.