Cuttack

Cuttack, officially Kataka (କଟକ Koṭoko), is the second-largest city of Odisha after Bhubaneswar. The state's former capital is steeped in old traditions, with a perfect combination of traditional and modern lifestyles. Its silver filigree works have led the city to earn the nickname "Silver City".

Cuttack is known as a place of Bawan Bazar Tepan Gali (meaning '52 Markets, 53 Lanes'). This place might give you the impression of an old place with very small and dirty lanes, but that's how you define a lotus. If you happen to want to have a lonely evening and fresh air, just hop into the Bidanasi River Embankment or have a drive/ride on Baimundi Marg, you won't be disappointed.

It's perhaps only the second-lowest city in the world after Amsterdam, which is below sea level. Cuttack is protected from the mighty Mahandi and Kathjodi by the Baimundi Mark, which acts as an embankment to the city.

The name 'Cuttack' or 'Kataka' is from the Sanskrit word for 'army' or 'troop' (कटक). Cuttack was established more than 1000 years ago as a military establishment by Marakata Keshari of the Somavanshi dynasty.

The city was a major trading hub and a junction of two trade routes: the land route connecting North India to South India, and the water route connecting Odisha to Southeast Asia. Cuttack is said to have survived a dangerous past due to the presence of Maa Kataka Chandi and Maa Gada Chandi, who guard the city from the evil eyes and the mighty Mahanadi.

The nearest airport is in Bhubaneswar (BBI ^IATA, around 30 km (19 mi)). It has domestic flights to New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and other destinations; and an international flight to Kuala Lumpur.

• 20.46658885.901561 Cuttack Junction  ECoR . Cuttack Junction is on the Kolkata–Chennai railway line, taking roughly five and a half hours from Kolkata, and roughly twenty hours from Chennai.  

• 20.45407985.8806912 Cuttack Netaji Bus Terminus (CNBT). A hi-tech bus terminal connecting Cuttack to different parts of Odisha and neighbouring states like West Bengal  (updated Jan 2026)

Hired cars, auto rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are readily available for moving around. City/Town Buses cover part of the city. Bus Route: College Square - OMP - Link Road - Badambari Bus Stop - Ring Road - High Court - Deulasahi - Bidanasi - CDA.

• 20.48463185.8644251 Barabati Fort. Sumrise-sunset. A 13th-century fort built by the Eastern Ganga emperor Anangabhimadeva III (1211-1238). Later, the Gajapatis, the Chalukyas, the Bengal Sultans, the Mughals and the Marathas took over the fort. During that time, the fort ent through renovations and extensions, with rumours of housing a nine-storeyed palace with nine courtyards. The East India Company took control of the fort in 1803, and its valuable Khondolite stone was used to pave roads and construct buildings. Of the great wall surrounding the fort, only the eastern gate survived. The surviving moat is covered with water hyacinth. The fort interiors have been converted to an event space with indoor sports complexes. Free.  (updated Jul 2025)
• 20.4855985.863652 Museum of Justice (High Court Museum) (Located inside Barabati Fort). 11AM-6PM (closed Mon). A law museum hosted in a colonial-era bungalow, which was once the residence of the Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court. It is not just a repository of antiques, rather it is a cultural space for legal academicians, researchers and also commoners. It contains a list of eminent lawyers of Odisha, the Laxman Nayak conviction case, a model of a courtroom, a gallery of Chief Justices, and old court apparels and accessories like wigs and judges’ wig stand. Photography not allowed inside the museum. ₹20 for adults, ₹10 for children below 10.  (updated Jul 2025)
• 20.46989285.8665393 Netaji Birth Place Museum. 10AM - 5PM (lunch break 1:30PM - 2PM) (Mon Closed). Janakinath Bhavan, the birthplace of Indian independence activist Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose is converted into a museum and is named the Netaji Birth Place Museum. A huge gate on the Jail Road leads visitors towards the museum. The gate is topped with statues of marching Azad Hind Fauj or the Indian National Army (INA) soldiers. At the entrance of the complex stands a bust of Netaji. Next to the entry gate stands the stable of the Bose family. Once, the stable housed the horses of the Bose family along with luxurious horse carriages. Today, one of the vintage carriages has been restored to its former glory. It is fitted with the model of a horse and displayed in front of the stable. The stable also displays a model horse. A saddle, stirrup and other riding accessories are also on display. The two-storied museum houses a total of 12 galleries covering the personal, political and spiritual life of Netaji. ₹10 (Indians) ₹200 (Foreigners).  (updated Oct 2023)
• 20.4789485.8961774 Odisha State Maritime Museum. 10Am - 4:30PM (Mon closed). The museum came up in 2013 and is housed in the former complex of the River Boat Construction and Repair Workshop. The workshop dates back to 1866 and was not restricted to manufacturing boats, it also looked after the inland water ways, irrigation projects and distribution of water. The exhibits of the museum give an insight into the ancient Odisha’s famed maritime history. The museum houses 10 galleries, including boat sheds and models of boats and ships. An aquarium and 3D shows are also part of the display.  (updated Jan 2026)
• 20.47724485.8625645 Kataka Chandi Temple. An ancient temple dedicated to the Goddess Chandi, the presiding deity of Cuttack. It is famous for the annual Durga Puja and Kali Puja festivals.  (updated Oct 2023)

Take a stroll on the banks of the River Kathajodi and enjoy the sunset. This is a magnificent site. If you are visiting Cuttack sometime in mid-October or November don't forget to enjoy the Dusshera and Balijatra (the biggest trade fair held in the eastern region).

If you arrive in autumn (September to November) you can see this city showing its cultural tradition, at the time of most of the festivals. Easily the second largest celebration of Durga Puja with a huge following, Cuttack hosts about 1000-1500 Puja pandals every year. Each of them is unique and distinct in shape and size. It is quite crowded during this time and chances are that you may not be allowed to travel in your vehicle through most of the parts of the city; if you have time and you are fit enough, just settle for walking throughout the city.

• 20.48111185.8686111 Barabati Stadium. A multipurpose stadium used for cricket, football and hockey. It is a regular venue for international cricket and is the home ground of Odisha cricket team.  (updated Jul 2025)
• 20.4833285.8628622 Jawaharlal Nehru Indoor Stadium.  (updated Jul 2025)

• Filigree work in silver and ivory.
• Textiles - the famous Kataki saris.
• Filigree Work - Ashok Jewellers Nayasadak Cuttack. 091-0671-2619203, 091 9861370725

If you visit, don't miss the mouth-watering plate of dahi vada, Aludam ghuguni and seu. You will also get the best of Mutton, Cham and Chicken Chops at Professor Para. Mouthwatering, Roadside 'Dahibara(Dahiwada), Aaludum, ghuguni and seu'. (Its little spicy) Pav Bhaji near Gauri Shankar park. Hot tea and coffee near cantonment road.

Bidanasi--raghu dahibara

Manglabag---Pratap dahibara

These are readily available.

• Hotel Neeladri, Mangalabag, Telephone +91 671 2614221/ 2614331, Tariff ₹250 – 700. There is a very good restaurant attached to this lodge where you can find all types of foods: south Indian, north Indian etc. Very near the station, you can just take a rickshaw for just ₹30 and tell him to go to Neeladri Manglabagh.

• Bhubaneswar
• Konark
• Paradip
• Puri