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Cuttack

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Cuttack is a large and busy city in the Indian state of Odisha.

Barabati Fort Main Entrance
Barabati Fort Main Entrance

It sits near the coast and is part of a large area called a metropolitan area. Many people call Cuttack the "Twin City" of Odisha because it is so close to Bhubaneswar. Together, these two cities have a population of 1.862 million people as of 2018. The city is also known as the "Millennium City" because it has a history spanning 1,000 years. Another nickname is the "Silver City" due to its famous silver filigree work.

Cuttack Tarkasi (silver filigree) pendant & ear rings
Cuttack Tarkasi (silver filigree) pendant & ear rings

This is a special type of art made with fine silver wires.

Water is a huge part of life in Cuttack. The city sits at the top of the Mahanadi River delta.

Dhabaleswara Cuttack
Dhabaleswara Cuttack

Four different rivers flow through or near the city. These include the Mahanadi, the Kathajodi, the Kuakhai, and the Birupa rivers. The Kathajodi River even splits into two more paths called the Devi and the Biluakhai. This makes the rivers look like a web of roots across the land. Many ponds, known as pokharis, also sit in the city to hold rainwater. The Mahanadi River provides much of the drinking water for the people living there.

Cuttack has a very long and changing history. It was first established as a military base by King Nrupa Keshari in 989 CE.

Barabati Fort Main Entrance
Barabati Fort Main Entrance

Later, in 1211 CE, it became the capital for a kingdom under Raja Anangabhimadeva III. Many different groups ruled the city over the centuries, including the Ganga dynasty and the Suryavamsi Gajapati dynasty. Eventually, the city came under Muslim and Mughal rule. By 1750, the Maratha Empire took control and helped the city grow as a business center. Later, the British occupied the city in 1803. Even after the capital moved to Bhubaneswar in 1948, Cuttack remained an important headquarters.

Today, the city is a major center for business and law. It is known as the commercial capital of Odisha.

Odisha High Court
Odisha High Court

It is also the judicial capital because the Orissa High Court is located there. The city is organized into 59 different wards under the Cuttack Municipal Corporation. Visitors often come to Cuttack to try its famous foods. People love eating snacks like Dahibara, Lassi, and various kinds of Chat. The city is also a cultural hub where many poets and artists enjoy spending time. It is famous for its big Durga Puja festival, which is very important to the people of Odisha.

Life in Cuttack can feel like walking through a maze. The city is full of many small streets and narrow lanes.

Cuttack dahibara aludum
Cuttack dahibara aludum

Some parts of the city are very old and crowded, while other areas are more planned. For example, Markatnagar is a newer area that covers about 2,000 acres. The weather can change a lot depending on the season. Summers are very hot and humid, with temperatures often between 35 °C and 40 °C. The monsoon season brings a lot of rain from July to October. In the winter, the weather is much milder and very pleasant for walking around.

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🖼️ Images & Media (33)
File:Cuttack Chandi.jpg
Cuttack Chandi.jpg
File:Dhabaleswara Cuttack.jpg
Dhabaleswara Cuttack.jpg
File:Baba Ramdev Temple, Bhubaneswar - Cuttack Highway, Odisha.jpg
Baba Ramdev Temple, Bhubaneswar - Cuttack...
File:Shrine of Baba Bukhari, Cuttack.jpg
Shrine of Baba Bukhari, Cuttack.jpg
File:Chaudhury Bazar Chandi Medha.jpg
Chaudhury Bazar Chandi Medha.jpg
File:Bali Jatra in Guinness Book of World Records - an initiative by CMC and Mayor Subhash Singh.jpg
Bali Jatra in Guinness Book of World...
File:Balijatra cuttack.JPG
Balijatra cuttack.JPG
File:Cuttack dahibara aludum.jpg
Cuttack dahibara aludum.jpg
File:BIJU PATTANAIK FILM & TELEVISION INSTITUTE OF ODISHA CUTTACK.JPG
BIJU PATTANAIK FILM & TELEVISION...
File:Odisha High Court.JPG
Odisha High Court.JPG
File:Elephants sculpted from cow horns.jpg
Elephants sculpted from cow horns.jpg
File:Cuttack Tarkasi (silver filigree) pendant & ear rings.jpg
Cuttack Tarkasi (silver filigree) pendant...

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