Cuttack is a city in the state of Odisha which is the second largest city as well. It is also the former capital of Odisha. The history of the city of Cuttack makes it unique. Here are the top 10 places to visit in Cuttack that every tourist must visit. These places that I have put in the list of top places to visit are based on my experience and will surely leave a remark on you.
Cuttack
The former name of the city was Bidanasi Katak. Cuttack is in fact the anglicized form of Katak which means capital. The word has been derived from Sanskrit which is also the mother of many languages. The city has seen many ups and downs in the past. The city of Cuttack is culturally very rich which can be seen even today in the yearly festivals of the locals. These festivals give a tourist more than just some places to explore.
Cuttack is a city located about 82kms from Puri. There are buses, cabs and trains available between Puri and Cuttack. If you want to visit the Jagannath Temple, Puri from Cuttack, you can start your trip in the morning and can come back to Cuttack easily in the afternoon.
Top 10 places to visit in Cuttack:-
Coming to the topic from where we started. Let us see the top 10 places to visit in Cuttack. Although the list may end at 10 because these are the top places to visit in Cuttack but that does not mean that there are no more places in Cuttack.
Netaji Birth place Museum:
How many people reading this article think that Netaji Subash Chandra Bose was born in Bengal? Well, even I knew the same. I came to know the reality just a few days back before writing this article. The birth place of Netaji is in Cuttack. It is not very far from the famous Cuttack Chandi Devi Temple. It is now a museum and a great place to spend some time in there. You can expect many artifacts related to Netaji and freedom movements.
Cuttack Chandi Temple:
This is a very ancient Chandi Devi temple on the Chandi road in Cuttack. It is a famous Hindu pilgrimage site as well. The vibe of the temple is very impactful. Once you enter the temple you can feel the aura of the temple.
Barabati fort:
It is basically the ruins of the elegant Barabati Fort. The fort is not anymore at this place. But the ruins of it can be explored which will be a memorable experience for any tourist. The fort was built by a Somavanshi dynasty king Marakata Keshari in 998AD.
Odisha State Maritime Museum:
It is one of the best tourist attraction centres in the state of Odisha. The Odisha Maritime Museum was constructed in the Era of British Government in India. Later it has been renovated and at present, the museum came into existence after the renovations and reconstruction done in 2013.
Barabati Stadium:
For sport lovers this is one of the best places to visit in Cuttack. Many local and national level games are organised at this stadium from time to time. One can explore the stadium and if by chance any game is going to take place during the visit, it is better than anything. You may not be allowed inside it but you can have a look at the stadium from the outside.
Deer Park:
You might have seen deer in a park or a zoo but this time it is going to be different. This deer park accommodates more than a hundred of them. This park is not very big but is a home to hundreds of them. It is located on the banks of Mahanadi River in the city of Cuttack.
It is a kind of deer care centre established and run by the government. Tourists are not allowed inside the park but one can have a close look of them from the outside. If you go by the side of the Mahanadi River, at a few places the boundary is a little low and there are no plants in between. So, one can have a close view of them.
Many tourists buy biscuits and feed them to the deers which I personally do not think is a good idea. So, I will also request our readers to avoid this.
Mahandi Barrage:
Mahanadi is the biggest river flowing in Cuttack and one must cross this river to enter this beautiful city. The area of the river and the bridge upon it makes a scenic view and one of the top places to visit in Cuttack.
Mahanadi River:
Beside the Deer Park that we read above flows the river Mahanadi. When I walked on the banks of the river, I found it very amazing and mesmerizing. It is no less than a river beach. You can walk to the river side and spend some time to see the setting or the rising sun.
Temples in Cuttack:
There are almost 10-12 famous temples in Cuttack which are a good pilgrimage site for Hindus. Apart from the Cuttack Chandi Temple, there are many temples in Cuttack which a tourist looking for pilgrimage can visit. Also, these temples give a good idea of the architecture at different times in which they were built. It reflects the culture of the local Odia people.
Naraj Barrage:
Naraj Barrage is over the Kathajodi river, a part of Mahanadi River. This barrage is also a beautiful place to hang out. Even if you cross the bridge by a vehicle I am damn sure that you will not be able to resist yourself from taking pictures and videos. The view from the bridge itself is very pleasant and mesmerizing.
Conclusion:
Cuttack is a city of cultures and traditions whose history is filled with glory and pride. These sentiments can be seen in the traditions and rituals held in the city. It has seen modernisation keeping its culture and traditions equally parallel to it. These top 10 places to visit in Cuttack reflect how intricately it is mixed even today.
