District: Cuttack, State: Orissa, India Area: 0 Languages Spoken: Oriya, Bengali, Hindi and English Long Distance Code: +91-671 Importance: Ruins of the Barabati Fort and famous for its textiles Best Time to Visit: January to December
Description
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. <br />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.<br />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. <br />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
Location
Just 30 kms off Bhubaneshwar, this old city was once the capital of the Kalinga dynasty. Surrounded by the forests and jungles and situated on the delta formed by the Mahanadi and the Kathjuri Rivers, this place normally enjoys a pleasant weather round the year.
It is a beautiful small island in the River Mahanadi placed around 37 kms from Cuttack. Apart from its natural beauties that the place is abundant with, it is also famous for the Shiva temple that is perched on a hillock offering a stupendous view of the small island.
A treasure cove of Buddhist relics hidden in the well-watered backcountry, south of the River Brahmani, Ratnagiri means the Jewel Hill. One of the ancient three Universities of Orissa, Ratnagiri has come up with immense findings in the excavations which have been undertaken. A place for the Vajrayana Buddhism, it was always a center for major Buddhist studies as has been noted in the travelogues of the Chinese traveler. Just 70 kms from Cuttack this place, the main attraction of this place is the enormous Stupa with a stone casket containing gold and silver artifacts, believed to be actual relics of the Lord Buddha. There are two monasteries belonging to the 7th century down the Stupa. One of them has a paved courtyard surrounded by cells and a beautifully carved doorway made from local blue-green chlorite stone. There are many figures carved inside the Stupa most of which are postures of women, either dancing or meditating.
Lalitagiri is the earliest Buddhist complex of Orissa which is believed to have developed in the 1st century A.D. and is 55 kms form Cuttack. The recent excavation has brought to light significant archaeological material, which upholds Lalitagiri as a great centre of Buddhist attraction. The huge brick monastery, the remains of a chaitya hall, a number of votive Stupas and a renovated stone Stupa at the apex of a small rugged sand stone hill dominates the rural greenery around.
The largest Buddhist Complex in Orissa, Udayagiri although in the district of Jajpur is 60 kms from Cuttack. It came in to the lime light with the excavation of the brick monastery known as Madhavapura Mahavihara. There are innumerable Buddhist sculptures in the brick monastery and the entire area is found located at the foothills of a large hill that acts as an imposing backdrop. \r\nThe Udayagiri caves now have the evening sound and light show, giving an indepth vision to the marvels carved in rock.
The revetment on the embankments of the Rivers in Cuttack is the piece of engineering marvel. One can imagine the level of engineering development of Orissa during that period. Built in the 11th century by the Kesari kings, it is something that is not to be missed.
Situated on the banks of the River Mahanadi stands the ruins of the Barabati Fort, a mute testimony to the glorious days of the past. Built in around the 11th century it could not with stand the time and later a nine storied palace was built in the 14th century, it was looted by the Mughals and other Islamic rulers. The Fort has a huge moat surrounding it which used to be full of crocodiles and water in it's hey days. \r\nThere is a beautiful ancient temple of the presiding deity Goddess Chandi near the Fort. Today the interiors of the forts have been transformed into a stadium, but still it retains its old charm.
A beautiful example of the religious unity is this Mosque built in 18th century. Basically because it was built by the Hindu rulers for its Muslim subjects, the mosque is the sacred place for both Hindus and the Muslims. Inside there are three other mosques and most important of all are the foot prints of Prophet Mohammed that are present inside the mosque. The three mosques have beautiful domes each and the whole mosque has a big Naubat Khana or the music hall.
It is a beautiful small island in the River Mahanadi placed around 37 kms from Cuttack. Apart from its natural beauties that the place is abundant with, it is also famous for the Shiva temple that is perched on a hillock offering a stupendous view of the small island.
A treasure cove of Buddhist relics hidden in the well-watered backcountry, south of the River Brahmani, Ratnagiri means the Jewel Hill. One of the ancient three Universities of Orissa, Ratnagiri has come up with immense findings in the excavations which have been undertaken. A place for the Vajrayana Buddhism, it was always a center for major Buddhist studies as has been noted in the travelogues of the Chinese traveler. Just 70 kms from Cuttack this place, the main attraction of this place is the enormous Stupa with a stone casket containing gold and silver artifacts, believed to be actual relics of the Lord Buddha. There are two monasteries belonging to the 7th century down the Stupa. One of them has a paved courtyard surrounded by cells and a beautifully carved doorway made from local blue-green chlorite stone. There are many figures carved inside the Stupa most of which are postures of women, either dancing or meditating.
Lalitagiri is the earliest Buddhist complex of Orissa which is believed to have developed in the 1st century A.D. and is 55 kms form Cuttack. The recent excavation has brought to light significant archaeological material, which upholds Lalitagiri as a great centre of Buddhist attraction. The huge brick monastery, the remains of a chaitya hall, a number of votive Stupas and a renovated stone Stupa at the apex of a small rugged sand stone hill dominates the rural greenery around.
The largest Buddhist Complex in Orissa, Udayagiri although in the district of Jajpur is 60 kms from Cuttack. It came in to the lime light with the excavation of the brick monastery known as Madhavapura Mahavihara. There are innumerable Buddhist sculptures in the brick monastery and the entire area is found located at the foothills of a large hill that acts as an imposing backdrop. \r\nThe Udayagiri caves now have the evening sound and light show, giving an indepth vision to the marvels carved in rock.
The revetment on the embankments of the Rivers in Cuttack is the piece of engineering marvel. One can imagine the level of engineering development of Orissa during that period. Built in the 11th century by the Kesari kings, it is something that is not to be missed.
Situated on the banks of the River Mahanadi stands the ruins of the Barabati Fort, a mute testimony to the glorious days of the past. Built in around the 11th century it could not with stand the time and later a nine storied palace was built in the 14th century, it was looted by the Mughals and other Islamic rulers. The Fort has a huge moat surrounding it which used to be full of crocodiles and water in it's hey days. \r\nThere is a beautiful ancient temple of the presiding deity Goddess Chandi near the Fort. Today the interiors of the forts have been transformed into a stadium, but still it retains its old charm.
A beautiful example of the religious unity is this Mosque built in 18th century. Basically because it was built by the Hindu rulers for its Muslim subjects, the mosque is the sacred place for both Hindus and the Muslims. Inside there are three other mosques and most important of all are the foot prints of Prophet Mohammed that are present inside the mosque. The three mosques have beautiful domes each and the whole mosque has a big Naubat Khana or the music hall.
