Cuttack
30 Km north of Bhubanewar was the medieval capital Cuttack, one of the oldest towns in Orissa. It was the capital and administrative centre until the end of the British Raj, still the year 1956. Cuttack was founded by Nripati Kesari (920-935). It occupies an important strategic position in relation to the network of canals in the region. The town is almost an island and situated at the head of the Mahanadi delta and surrounded by the great river and its tributary the Kathjuri.
Time stops in Cuttack, Katakis are a confident a lot, with thousand years of history behind them. Thousands of Katakis witness the century's worst floods in their unique style, eating Dahibaras and Aludam on the embankments of Kathjori and Mahanadi. Bhaichara, Parampara and Aitiho: these three words dominate every public discourse in Cuttack, roughly translated; these words mean brotherhood, tradition and history. We have seen all, is the predominant sentiment of Katakis. And truly so, Katakis have seen the glory of Kalinga empire, the might of Mauryan Ashoka, the Marathas and Mughals, the British and the fight for independence. Pride of thousand years of existence has an equalizing effect.
1803 is the foundation year of the Cuttack district under the Bengal Presidency of the British India. It was the capital of Orissa with Cuttack Commissioner as the head of the British Government. The district has contributed liberally to Orissa's who's who list. Cuttack district is a narrow strip of land spreading from East to West. Topographically Cuttack has two prominent divisions viz., hilly terrain on the west and Mahanadi delta plains in the East. The highly fertile and densely populated land in criss-crossed by hundreds of rivers and rivulets. These water bodies function both as tributaries of the Mahanadi river system. Large portion of the landmass is low lying and gets submerged during floods. With very limited industrialization, people of Cuttack depend upon agriculture as the primary means of livelihood. The vast network of irrigation canals established by the British after the great famine of 1866, is the backbone of agriculture. Cuttack city is still the commercial capital of Orissa with the Malgodown controlling the trade throughout the State. Following are some of the relevant facts about Cuttack district.
General Information
Geographical Area: 3932 Sq.Km. District, 59.57 Sq. Km. City
Altitude : 14.62 metres above sea-level
Major rivers : Mahanadi, Kathjori, Birupa, Debi, Kandal, Chitrotpala, Sapua, Hadua-Nallah, Rana- Sankha nallah, Genguti
Population : 23.40 Lakh
STD Code : 0671
Climate : Hot in summer, humid during monsoons and dry in winter
PLACE OF INTEREST
Stone Revetment of Cuttack
The river banks of Cuttack are protected by stone revetment, a great engineering marvel of the 11th century A.D. and a remarkable example of ancient technological skill of Orissa.
Barabati Fort
The ruins of a medieval fort with its moat and gate and the earthen mound of the nine-storied palace on the bank of the river Mahanadi are noteworthy. Adjacent to the fort is a modern stadium.
Choudwar - (10 km by road, 5 km by water)
Choudwar, a growing industrial area was once the capital of Somakuli Keshari Kings of Orissa. Eight prominent Siva pithas were established by the Keshari dynasty in the vicinity of Choudwar, which is now in ruins. Tradition records that it was the capital of Virat, the brother-in-law of Kichaka. The five Pandava brothers with their consort Draupadi took shelter in Choudwar in their secret exile.
Naraj - (15 km)
A picturesque scenic spot, Naraj was a famous seat for Buddhist culture and learning. The scenic view of the river Mahanadi at the origin of its branch Kathajodi is simply bewitching.
Quadam-i-Rasool
A sacred shrine both for the Hindus and Muslims, Quadam-i-Rasool, having a compound wall and towers at each corner has inside three mosques with beautiful domes and a Nawabat Khana (music gallery). It is an object of veneration for Hindus and Muslims alike.
Temple of Cuttack Chandi
Being the shrine of the presiding deity of the city, the temple of Cuttack Chandi is normally visited by every Hindu visitor.
Excursions
Ansupa - (70 km)
Ansupa, the small but picturesque lake holds a prominent position in the tourist map of Orissa and offers an asylum to the migratory birds in winter. The play of the shadow of Saranda Mountain and surrounding bamboo and mango groves on the rippling waters of Ansupa make it a real thing of beauty. One can have a boat journey or go for fishing in the lake. Ansupa is 70 km from Cuttack and 20 km from Raja-Athagarh station, connected with regular bus service.
Bhattarika - (108 km)
This place is famous for the shrine of goddess Bhattarika, often crowded by pilgrims and picnickers.
Chandikhol - (40 km)
Chandikhol in the lap of thickly wooded hills and by the side of a perennial stream is an extremely ideal picnic spot. The Ashram of Baba Bhairavananda is an added attraction of the place. Adjacent to Chandikhol, Mahavinayak enshrines the five godheads in one Lingam. It is a place of worship for Ganapati.
Chhatia - (30 km)
Popularly known as Chhatiabata, Chhatia is a sacred place of pilgrimage. The shrine of Lord Jagannath at Chhatia is a modern piece of Orissan temple architecture. Nearby one can find the archaeological remains of Amaravati-Kataka, one of the five important forts of Chodaganga Deva. Amaravati with the backdrop of the hill "Dhania" presents an attractive sight.
Dhabaleswar - (35 km)
A small island in the Mahanadi, the temple of Dhabaleswar is situated on a hillock. Though a new structure, sculptures of 10 / 11th century A.D. are found in the temple premises.
Jajpur - (92 km)
Otherwise known as Vaitarani Tirtha, Jajpur with Goddess Viraja (Durga) as its presiding deity is one of the sacred places of pilgrimage in Orissa. The place has its unique importance in India as Navigaya Kshetra where pinda is offered for the satisfaction of the ancestors. The shrine of Sweta Varaha (the white boar incarnation of Vishnu) along with hundreds of other shrines here made Jajpur a Tirtha par excellence. The "Dasasvamedha Ghat", the flight of steps leading to the Vaitarani where the ten horse sacrifices were performed is a great sanctified spot for the Hindus.
Kendrapara - (65 km)
Known as "Tulasi Kshetra", Kendrapara is famous for the temple of Lord Baladeva. A grand car festival is held here annually which draws a mammoth crowd.
Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary
Sprawled over 672 square Kilometers, it has a variety of animals in its mangrove forests crises-crossed by rivers and creeks. Known for crocodiles, sea turtles (on the Gahirmatha beach) and water monitor lizards, it has rare white crocodiles. It is also a sanctuary for deer and migratory birds. One can also see 10th-11th century temple, sculptures, mud-forts and pottery. Accommodation is available at the forest Inspection Bungalow and Interpretation Center at Dangmal and Forest Rest house at Ekakula on Gahirmatha beach. Contact Divisional Forest Officer, Rajnagar, Dist, Kendrapara.
Niali-Madhava - (47 km)
Niali is famous for the shrine of Sovaneswar. There is an archaeological sculpture shed here. 8 km from Niali is Madhava, a small village where is enshrined the lovely image of Madhava. It is also a beautiful picnic spot.
Paradeep - (94 km)
Paradeep, a major sea port of India for trade activities with a fine sea beach and a marine drive is an enjoyable tourist resort attracting large number of visitors from far and wide.
Ratnagiri, Lalitgiri, Udayagiri - (55 km - 70 km)
These three hills comprise a remarkable Buddhist complex. Hieun-T'sang, the Chinese pilgrim found it to be the seat of a flourishing Buddhist University called "Puspagiri". Extensive ruins of brick pagodas, sculptured stone portals and esoteric Buddhist images testifying its ancient glory have been unearthed. Ratnagiri is the gem of this complex. The magnificently carved doorjambs of the Vihar and superbly finished Buddha images form perhaps the greatest concentration of Buddhist sculptures of the post-Gupta period. Ratnagiri is 70 km, Lalitgiri is 55 km and Udayagiri is 60 km from Cuttack.
No comments:
Post a Comment