Cuttack Travel Essentials

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Cuttack Tourism

Referred to as the cultural capital of Odisha, Cuttack is a commercial city with plenty of impressive tourist attractions.

Cuttack is the second-largest city in Odisha and the former capital as well. Local handicrafts of this state are displayed and traded in this very city. Cuttack is always buzzing with cultural activities and plays host to a variety of festivals like the Baliyatra, which commemorates the ancient trade links the countries like Java, Bali and Sumatra, Durga Puja and the Kite Festival which is held in the month of January. 

Cuttack is also known as the silver city because of its famous silver work. SurCuttack is a highly-planned city and has a number of tourist attractions which will make a person's trip here a memorable one.

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History of Cuttack

The former capital of Orrisa, Cuttack is known to be one of the oldest cities in India. The town has a rich and eventful history. It was founded by King Nrupa in 989 A.D as a military cantonment and was later ruled by the Mughals, Afghans and Marathas before coming under the British rule, during which it was made the capital of Orissa. In the 12th century, it was the capital of the Ganga Dynasty. The city flourished beautifully till Firoz Shah Tughlaq captured it during the 14th century. There was distress in the city during this period, and there was mass destruction and looting that took place. In 1956, the capital was shifted to Bhubaneswar. Cuttack, however, remains an important commercial centre in the state.

History of Cuttack

The former capital of Orrisa, Cuttack is known to be one of the oldest cities in India. It was found by King Nrupa in 989 A.D as a military cantonment. In the 12th century, it was the capital of the Ganga Dynasty. The city flourished beautifully till Firoz Shah Tughlaq captured it during the 14th century. There was distress in the city during this period, and there was mass destruction and looting that took place. But today, the city has risen and remains to be the commercial capital of Orrisa.

Culture of Cuttack

Earlier, Cuttack was ruled by Mughals, Marathas and then the British and hence there is are influences of all these cultures. The language predominantly spoken here is Oriya. But English, Hindi and Bengali are spoken and understood widely. Odissi is the dance form that is originated from this region. Tarakasi is an art in jewellery, craft pieces and accessories are made from silver filigree. This art dated back to over 500 years and travelled through traders from Indonesia to Cuttack. Bali Yatra is a festival that is celebrated grandly and is known to be the second largest trade fair in Asia. It is a fair that celebrates trade with Bali where traders purchased goods from South East Asian countries and sold it in the city. Kartikeshwar Puja and Dusserah are also widely celebrated throughout the city with pomp.

Restaurants and Local Food in Cuttack

Do try authentic Oriya cuisine in Cuttack which is served in a lot of restaurants at affordable prices. Rice is the staple item in the traditional cuisine and one will find both vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies here. Among the local favorites are Dahi Vada, Ghuguni, Chaat, Alu Dum, Bhindi Bhaja, Aalu Palak, Jeera Pakhala, Saag, Prawn malai Curry, Crab Kalia, Fish curry and more. Other generic cuisines like North Indian, South Indian, Chinese and Continental and even Mughlai cuisines are also available here.
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Suggested Itinerary for Cuttack

Day 1: Visit Cuttack Chandi temple of Goddess Chandi and the Barabadi Fort built by the Ganga Dynasty in the 14th century. Both places hold great historic importance and are definitely a must-see.

Day 2: Begin the day at Bhabaleswar Island which is famous for its Dhableshwar temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Then, visit local handicraft stores and bazaars on the island. If you happen to be in Cuttack during the of the Baliyatra festival, go to the colourful and vibrant fair where more than 1500 stalls are put up selling merchandise purchased from the South East Asian countries. This festival is known to be the biggest trade fair in the whole of Asia l.

Day 3: Netaji Birth Place Museum is the place where Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was born. It is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Cuttack. Also, visit Ravenshaw University which was made by the Britishers in 1960 and the architectural jewel of the city.

Day 4: You can spend the day appreciating the natural beauty of the city by going to Mahanadi Barrage and the Sunset point and indulge in the serenity of nature and beauty. Also, try the famous Dahibahra Aloodum, which happens to be a delicacy of Cuttack.

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How to Reach Cuttack

How to Reach Overview

The railhead in Cuttack falls on the Chennai-Kolkatta line and is connected to all the metropolitan cities in the country. The nearest airport is in Bhubaneshwar, which is 25 km away from the heart of the city. You can hail a taxi or take a bus from there to the city.

How to reach Cuttack by flight

The nearest airport for reaching Cuttack in Orissa is at Bhubaneswar, lying about 29 km away. From there, you can take a bus, train or cab/car to Cuttack.

How to reach Cuttack by road

There are frequent bus services to Cuttack from all major cities and towns in India. You could also take a road trip from various cities.

How to reach Cuttack by train

Cuttack is well connected with other major destinations in the country via regular trains.

Local transport in Cuttack

Hired cars, autos, and cycle rickshaws are common ways to travel in the town. There are town buses also which cover some parts of the city.

Most frequently searched routes to Cuttack

Route Name Distance Time
Kolkata to Cuttack 421 km 6 hours 58 mins
Hyderabad to Cuttack 1,075 km 17 hours 50 mins
Chennai to Cuttack 1,256 km 20 hours 20 mins
Delhi to Cuttack 1,686 km 1 day 4 hours
Bangalore to Cuttack 1,463 km 1 day 0 hours
Ahmedabad to Cuttack 1,689 km 1 day 5 hours

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Cuttack, Orissa
Barabati Fort

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FAQs on Cuttack

What is famous about Cuttack?

Shopper's paradise. Rich history.

What is not so good about Cuttack?

Summers can be harsh.

Who should visit Cuttack?

Cuttack is a great getaway in the Eastern region of the country, particularly for those residing in Orrisa and West Bengal.

What is the best time to visit Cuttack?

Summers (April-June) are very hot and the scorching heat usually makes it very uncomfortable to travel around the city. The winters are mild with minimum temperature touching 8 degrees Celcius. The best time to visit this city is from October to March. July-September has moderate rainfall and you can also explore this place during this season.
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What is the local food in Cuttack?

Do try authentic Oriya cuisine in Cuttack which is served in a lot of restaurants at affordable prices. Rice is the staple item in the traditional cuisine and one will find both vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies here. Among the local favorites are Dahi Vada, Ghuguni, Chaat, Alu Dum, Bhindi Bhaja, Aalu Palak, Jeera Pakhala, Saag, Prawn malai Curry, Crab Kalia, Fish curry and more. Other generic cuisines like North Indian, South Indian, Chinese and Continental and even Mughlai cuisines are also available here.
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What is the best way to reach Cuttack?

The railhead in Cuttack falls on the Chennai-Kolkatta line and is connected to all the metropolitan cities in the country. The nearest airport is in Bhubaneshwar, which is 25 km away from the heart of the city. You can hail a taxi or take a bus from there to the city.
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What are the places near Cuttack?

The top places near to Cuttack are Bhubaneswar which is 19 km from Cuttack, Puri which is located 72 km from Cuttack, Dhauli which is located 30 km from Cuttack, Konark which is located 67 km from Cuttack, Tikarpada wildlife sanctuary which is located 114 km from Cuttack

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