Cuttack

Cuttack is a historic city in Odisha located at about 36 metres above sea level in the Mahanadi river delta, roughly 30 kilometres north east of Bhubaneswar. For those asking Cuttack which city it is, it served as the former capital of Odisha from 989 CE until 1948 and remains a cultural heart of the state. Many also wonder what is the old name of Cuttack, and it derives from the word Kataka, meaning fort, linked to the Barabati Fort first built by the Somavamsi dynasty in the 10th century and later expanded by the Ganga rulers and Mughals. Today, parts of the earthen ramparts and a stone gateway still survive. Modern Cuttack is widely known for its exquisite silver filigree craft called tarakasi, where artisans shape delicate silver wires into detailed jewellery, a craft mentioned in Akbar’s Ain i Akbari over 400 years ago. The city also hosts the famous Cuttack cricket stadium, officially known as Barabati Stadium, which draws national matches. The annual Bali Yatra festival held in November and December celebrates Odisha’s historic maritime trade with Southeast Asia and ranks among Asia’s largest open air fairs. Alongside heritage, Cuttack thrives as a commercial hub with traditional Odia cuisine, textile markets, and the Netaji Subhas Bose Memorial.