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Cuttack

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Cuttack is a major urban center in the Indian state of Odisha.

Barabati Fort Main Entrance
Barabati Fort Main Entrance

It serves as the judicial capital of the state. This is because the Orissa High Court is located there. The city also acts as the commercial capital of Odisha. It hosts many large trading and business houses. Cuttack is often called the "Millennium City" due to its 1,000-year history. It is also known as the "Silver City." This name honors its famous silver filigree work.

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

This delicate art uses fine silver wires to create jewelry.

The geography of Cuttack is defined by its relationship with water. The city sits at the apex of the Mahanadi River delta.

Dhabaleswara Cuttack
Dhabaleswara Cuttack

Four major rivers flow through or near the city. These are the Mahanadi, the Kathajodi, the Kuakhai, and the Birupa. The Kathajodi River further divides into the Devi and the Biluakhai. This branching pattern makes the geography look like fibrous roots. The Mahanadi River flows along the northern side of the city. It separates the main urban area from the Jagatpur Industrial Area. Many local ponds, called pokharis, store rainwater throughout the city.

Cuttack has a complex and long history of different rulers. Historian Andrew Stirling suggests the city began as a military cantonment. King Nrupa Keshari of the Keshari dynasty established it in 989 CE.

Barabati Fort Main Entrance
Barabati Fort Main Entrance

In 1002 CE, Maharaja Markata Keshari built stone embankments. These were designed to protect the new capital from flooding. Later, Raja Anangabhimadeva III of the Ganga dynasty made it a capital in 1211 CE. The Suryavamsi Gajapati dynasty ruled from 1434 to 1541 CE. Eventually, the city saw rule from the Mughals and the Maratha Empire. The Marathas conquered Cuttack in 1750. This helped the city grow into a major business center.

The British occupied the city in 1803. By 1816, Cuttack became the capital of the Odisha division. In 1948, the state capital moved to Bhubaneswar. However, Cuttack remained the administrative headquarters for Odisha. Today, it is often called a "Twin City" with Bhubaneswar. The metropolitan area of both cities reached 1.862 million people in 2018. Recently, there has been a proposal to rename the city to "Katak."

The Mayor suggested this to honor the city's original historic name. He cited archival records from Ravenshaw College to support this idea.

The city is organized into 59 wards under the Cuttack Municipal Corporation. It is classified as a Tier II city by the Government of India.

Odisha High Court
Odisha High Court

The urban layout is very diverse. Much of the old city is a maze of narrow streets and lanes. This earned it nicknames like "52 markets and 53 streets." In contrast, some areas are modern and planned. Markatnagar, also known as CDA, covers about 2,000 acres. This area has 15 sectors, with 11 being residential. The population of the CDA area is around 150,000. Other newer areas include Jagatpur and Mahanadi Vihar.

Cuttack experiences a tropical wet and dry climate. The summer lasts from March to June. During this time, it is hot and humid. Temperatures usually range from 35 °C to 40 °C. Sometimes, temperatures can exceed 45 °C. The monsoon season occurs from July to October. Most of the city's rainfall arrives during these months. The annual rainfall is approximately 1,450 mm. The winter season runs from November to February. It features mild temperatures and chilly northerly winds. Temperatures can drop to around 15 °C during this time. Because it is near the coast, the city faces risks from cyclones.

Culture and religion are very important in Cuttack. The city is a cultural hub for poets and artists.

Chaudhury Bazar Chandi Medha
Chaudhury Bazar Chandi Medha

The Durga Puja festival is a major event. This tradition grew after the visit of Saint Chaitanya in the 16th century. The Cuttack Chandi Temple is a famous pilgrimage site.

Cuttack Chandi
Cuttack Chandi

Another notable site is the Dhabaleswar Temple. It sits on an island in the Mahanadi River. A suspension bridge connects the island to the mainland.

Dhabaleswara Cuttack
Dhabaleswara Cuttack

The city is also famous for its unique food. People enjoy local delicacies like Dahibara, Lassi, and various types of Chat.

Cuttack dahibara aludum
Cuttack dahibara aludum

These flavors make the undivided Cuttack district very well known.

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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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