Tourist Places To Visit In Cuttack

The city of Cuttack is situated in the East Indian state of Orissa, and is known to be the oldest city in the region along with being the former capital of the state. This second largest city of Orissa was also the birthplace of the famous freedom fighter Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, and boasts a rich cultural history that dates back almost a thousand years.

Cuttack is popularly nicknamed the ‘City of Brotherhood’, with various religious communities who not only peacefully coexist in this diverse city, but who also share places of worship in a manner that is rarely seen elsewhere. Religious monuments belonging to different faiths are some of the key attractions in this diverse city. Here is a list of some of the best places to visit in Cuttack.

Also known the Cuttack Temple, this religious monument is very popular and one of the oldest temples in Cuttack. It is situated along the banks of river Mahanadi and is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Chandika, who is another form of goddess Durga. The magnificent architecture of this monument is a brilliant example of structural design from the time of the Gajapati Dynasty. The best time to visit this temple is during the celebrations of the Durga Pooja, Dussehra and Kali Pooja.

This splendid island is located in the river Mahanadi and features a Shiva temple and a hanging bridge that leads to the temple, which are the most popular aspects of the island. The temple especially attracts a lot of Hindu devotees, and is located on a hilltop that can be reached after climbing a hundred steps. The island is the perfect getaway for a relaxing trip that provides some picturesque views of the river course as well; being situated around 35 km away from Cuttack, it is also within easy accessibility.

The Singhanath Temple is located on an island in the Mahanadi River, and is known to be one of the oldest temples in the city. While it is frequently visited by Hindu devotees who come to pay their respects to the deity Shiva, it is also a popular spot among tourists for its architectural brilliance and a tranquil environment with beautiful views of the surrounding river course.

This 18^th century shrine is believed to contain a stone with an impression of the Prophet Muhammad’s footprint, making it a place of immense religious significance for the Muslims. However, this exquisitely designed structure is believed to have been constructed by a Hindu King, and is widely visited as a place of worship by Hindus as much as by the Muslims, which speaks volumes about the religious harmony displayed by the place. The grounds consist of three mosques with beautifully designed domes, spread over an area of 57 acres, with the entire construction of the monument showcasing an impressive blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture.

A famous pilgrimage destination for the local Hindus, Bhattarika Temple is a shrine dedicated to the goddess Bhattarika, who is another avatar of goddess Shakti. According to a legend, this is also the spot where goddess Durga came to the aid of Parashurama, who prayed to the goddess upon facing defeat during his battle with Saharasjuna. Numerous festivals like Pana Sakranti, Dussehra, Akshaya Tritiya and Durga Puja are celebrated with a lot of grandeur in this temple.