Cuttack, the
erstwhile princely capital of Orissa lies on the banks of the Mahanadi, Devi and Kathajuri
Rivers. Cuttack’s main attractions are it’s 14th century fort Barabati;
the 18th century shrine sacred to both Hindus and Muslims called Kadam
Rasul with the imprint of Prophet Mohammad’s foot and shops that sell silk
and cotton textiles, horn and brass ware and Tarakasi, Orissa’s famous silver
filigree.
The city is only a few hours driving time from Bhubaneshwar and worth
visiting for a couple of days. One can get to Cuttack by air, train or bus. The nearest
airport is Bhubaneswar, 29km away. The drive to Cuttack will take you past cool green
paddy fields, edged by palm and mango trees. An important railway junction, it has regular
trains from Chennai, Kolkata, Delhi and Mumbai. Cuttack is also on National Highway 5
making it the most easily accessible city in Orissa.
Accommodation options in Cuttack include 3 or 4 top of the range hotels
with a choice of air-conditioned or non-A/c rooms with a few facilities like secretarial
services and conference facilities. Mid range hotels include the government run Department
of Tourism’s hotels and private establishments.
There is plenty to see and do around Cuttack, too. 90 km east of Cuttack
is Paradip, Orissa’s biggest commercial port and beach resort. Ratnagiri and
Lalitgiri, 65 km from Cuttack are the excavations of Buddhist ruins including large
monastery complexes. On the coast of the Bay of Bengal is the Bhitar Kanika Wild Life
Sanctuary, a nesting ground for more than one million Olive Ridley turtles; a reserve for
saltwater crocodiles and a vast water bird sanctuary. Resident and migratory bird flock
this place that has 62 of the world’s 70 species of mangroves. Chandipur is a beach
town, just about 50 km from the sanctuary.
