Introduction
Cuttack, the former capital of Orissa, also holds the distinction of being one of its oldest towns. The city has seen frequent power transfers, from the Keshari Kings (who founded the city) to Mughals to Afghans and then, the Marathas. Finally, it came under the rule of British Empire, which gave it the status of the capital of Orissa. Though Cuttack does not hold this title anyone, it is, nonetheless, one of the most visited cities of South India. One of the major reasons for this is the large number of tourist attractions and excursions it offers. In the following lines, we have covered the main places that you must visit on a sightseeing tour of the city.
 

Temple of Kataka Chandi
The present piece of land, where the holy temple is located, was lying fallow before the temple was built. Late Sri Hansa Panda, who happens to be the Purohit of the-then King of Kanika, used to graze cattles and sheeps in the land. One day Sri Panda was feeling tired and took rest on a heap of dry mud present there. While taking rest, he experienced a strange unusual feeling within himself. Surprisingly on the same night, The Goddess “Chandi” appeared in his dream and requested him to take her out of the land. There after he went to the King and told everything about the strange experience he had that night.
With the help of the king, Late Hansa Panda dug up the same piece of land. It is being said that around forty number of bullock carts of Red Sindoor came out while digging and then emerged The Deity of Maa Katak Chandi. Then the temple was built on the same land. Here in Cuttack, people strongly believe Maa Katak Chandi as The Living Goddess.
 
Netaji Birth Place
Cuttack is the birthplace of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, the famous freedom fighter. He was born on 23.1.1897, at their ancestral house, Janakinath Bhawan at Oriya Bazar and spent his early childhood here. Subhash Chandra Bose studied at Ravenshaw Collegiate School and later went to Calcutta to pursue higher studies.

The grand house has been now been converted into the Netaji Birth Place Museum and exhibits memorabilia associated with the great leader, which is worth seeing.
 
Kadam Rasool
Kadam Rasool is a famous mosque located in the vicinity of the old quarters in the Cuttack city. The domed mosque is spread over an area of 57 acres. The origin of Kadam-I-Rasool, in the Cuttack city of Orissa, can be traced back to the eighteenth century.
 
Juma Masjid
As the name suggests Juma, means Big, this masjid is the oldest, biggest, and the most beautiful masjid of Cuttack. It was built during the period of Mughals. It possesses several rooms for visitors and students. Earlier there used to be a Madrasa in this mosque. However, since last 10 years, the Madrasa is shifted out of the mosque. The neighbourhoods surrounding the Juma Masjid are inhabited both by Hindus and Muslims, who live peacefully with perfect communal harmony.
 
Shahi Mosque
The Shahi mosque is situated inside the Barabati fort. It is structurally similar to the Ujale Khan mosque at Mohammadia Bazaar. All these mosques are adorned with beautiful domes on hexagonal base. Stones and tiles are used in construction of the mosque. It seems that during the British rule of Odisha, it was used as a Magazine as it is apparent from the two Mehrabs on the flanks which are closed with bricks.
 
Gurudwara
The holy historical Sikh Shrine "`The Gurdwara Daatan Sahib`" is situated here. It is here that the first Sikh Guru, Shree Guru Nanak Dev halted on his way to Puri, way back in the 15 century. It is believed that a “Sahada “ tree planted by him after using one of its twigs as a tooth Cleaner still flourishes here, hence is the name Daatan Sahib.
 
Mahanadi Cruise
The double-decker vessel for cruise across river Mahanadi is the first of its kind river cruise service in the State. This enables people to experience the ethereal beauty of Mahanadi and its surroundings through the trip on the water.

The service involves cruise trips on a double-decker vessel replete with modern amenities including food. There are also individual boating facilities through small paddle boats. The vessel for the cruise has a capacity of between 50 and 60 and takes tourists around on a daily basis.
 
Barabati Stadium
Modern Cuttack boasts of Barabati Stadium, an important venue for international cricket matches. It is home ground of Orissa cricket team and is operated by Orissa Cricket Association. The Barabati Stadium is one of the older grounds in India, having hosted several touring sides – including the MCC, the West Indies team and the Australians - before it hosted its first international match. It is equipped with floodlights for day-and-night games and is a regular venue for One Day Internationals (ODI) matches.
 
Ravenshaw University
The Ravenshaw University, originally established in 1841 as a small school and later upgraded a to a College and then University, is one of the premier educational institutions of India.
 
High Court
The Orissa High Court was established on 26th July, 1948 and is functioning at Cuttack. The High Court Office is consisting of two departments namely, the administrative Department to carry on the Administrative business of the Court on its Appellate side and the Judicial Department which shall mean and include all the rest of it. A visit without seeing the majestic High court is an incomplete tour of Cuttack.
 
Saheed Bhawan
An important venue for hosting the major events/ seminars and very important dignitaries, it is a must see for people visiting Cuttack.
 
Barabati Fort

Constructed originally during the Ganga rule in the 13th Century A.D., profuse addition to the building  and fortification of the fort was done by king Mukunda Deva (A.D.1560-68). From 1568 to 1603 the Barabati Fort was under the Occupation of the Afghans, the Moghals, and the Marathas respectively as their seats of Administration. In 1803, the fort was captured by the British from the Marathas. It is surrounded by moat and double enclosures. Among the structural remains within, the arched get way and a mosque of Fath Khan are interesting.

Deer Park

Deer Park is situated in Madhusudhan Nagar. It is a place for nature lovers. A lot of beautiful deers running here stops the breath of its visitors. It is all about excitement, entertainment, and experience of beauty around the woods.
Important Places

Sl No.

Name of the Spot

Place

Block

Approximate Distance from Cuttack

1.

Lord Dhabaleswar temple

Mancheswar

Athagarh

25

2.

Sarpesswar Temple

Balarampur

-do-

21

3.

Baidanath Temple

Baideswar

Banki

74

4.

Ramanath temple

Rameswar

-do-

76

5.

Bhattarika

Sasanga

Baramba

109

6.

Singhnath Pitha

Gopinathpur

-do-

104

7.

Sidheswar Mandir

Naraja

Baranga

10

8.

Paramhansa Mahadev

Paramahansa

Cuttack Sadar

14

9.

Chandi Temle

Sheikh bazaar

Cuttack City

0

10.

Tarini Mandir

Biribati

Cuttack Sadar

10

11.

Barabati Stadium

Cantonment Road

Cuttack City

0

12.

Beleswar Temple

Beleswar

Sadar

6

13.

Banki Charchika Devi

Charchika Sahi

Dampada

54

14.

Dakhineswar Mandir

Bagalpur

Kantapada

27

15.

Biswanath Mandira

Dhanamandal

-do-

25

16.

Lalitagiri Temple

Lalitagiri

Mahanga

60

17.

Tribeniswar Temple

Chasakhanda

-do-

50

18.

Bhadreswar Temple

Bhadreswar

-do-

58

19.

Raghunathjew Matha

Asurewar

-Nischitakoile

125

20.

Padambana Pitha

Nemalo

-do-

55

21.

Rahunath  Jew Maths

Kulia

Salepur

35

22.

Pragaladevi Temple

Jaypur

Narsingpur

125

23.

Indra Bhuban

Narsingpur

-do-

130

24.

Baneswari Baudhakriti

Padamala

-do-

112

25.

Madhab Temple

Madhaba

Niali

55

26.

Bhisma Kunda

Jahangirabad

Salapur

24

27.

Choukibata

Balia

-do-

36

28.

Nrusingha Temple

Purbakachha

-do-

22

29.

Chateswar Temple

Krishnapur

-do-

25

30.

Srikhetra

Karanjigaon

-do-

28