CUTTACK- THE SILVER CITY

  Cuttack is the former capital and city of state Odisha, India. It is the headquarters of Cuttack district and is located about 28 km to the north east of Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha. It is the judicial capital of Odisha as the Orissa High Court is located here.The name of the city is an anglicised form of Kataka that literally means The Fort, a reference to the ancient Barabati Fort around which the city developed. The city is spread across an area of 398 km2 (154 sq mi) and is situated at the beginning of the Mahanadi river delta. The city consists of 54 wards; in south it starts from Phulnakhara to Salipur, and in east it begins from Bidyadharpur to Choudwar

BARABATI  FORT

                                                    

                                                                           The name Kataka is derived from Sanskrit, and means a military establishment/ camp/ bunker. The city was known as Bidanasi Katak (meaning Bidanasi Military Base) during the days when Barabati Fort was in existence. Bidanasi is now a ward in Cuttack city.

                                                                  

Description

Country- India

State-Odisha

District-Cuttack

Founder- Kalinga market Keshari

Government

Type- Democracy

Body- Municipal Corporation

Municipal commissioner- Rabi narayan Nanda

Mayor- Saumendra kumar ghosh

Area

Total- 398 km2 (154 sq mi)

Population (2011)

 Total  -606,007

  Rank-              70

 Density           4,382.23/km2 (11,349.9/sq mi)

Languages

  Official          Oriya

 Religious places

 Religious places

Cuttack is not different from other ancient cities in India, and for over a thousand years has seen the influx of every major religion in India. There are different religious establishments often been built within close proximity of each other.

Katak Chandi Temple- The temple of goddess Katak Chandi, is probably the most famous religious establishment of city. With Katak Chandi being worshipped as the main goddess, the temple has smaller temples of other Gods and goddesses within its small compound. Not far from this temple, is the Gada Chandi temple which inside the Barabati Fort. There is also temple of Lord Shiva on the banks of Mahanadi River, and near the fort, known as Gada Gadia temple.

Cuttack also hosts Paramahansa Nath temple (near Biribati, 14 km away from the city center), Bhattarika Temple, Dhabaleswar temple, Panchamukhi Hanuman temple and the most oldest temple is Paramahansanatha others. The Barabati fort houses the Gada Chandi temple which is one of the oldest temples in Cuttack. The Dhabaleswar temple is located on an island in the river Mahanadi and is connected to the mainland by a long hanging bridge. The pillar less hanging bridge is unique of its kind in India.

A holy historical Sikh shrine The Gurdwara Daatan Sahib is located in this city. It is here that the first Sikh Guru, Shree Guru Nanak Dev halted on his way to Puri. It is believed that a tree branch planted by him after using it as a tooth cleaner still flourishes here, hence the name Daatan Sahib. Cuttack houses several churches that include holy Rosary church, Oriya Baptist church, etc. Cuttack town enjoyed for a pretty long time the honour of being the seat of political authority of the Muslims in Odisha. During this period numerous Muslim monuments were built in Cuttack. It has various mosques, like Qadam-E-Rasool, Juma Masjid, etc.

Qadam-E-Rasool- the Qadam-E-Rasool is a monument of beauty built by Shujaddin Khan. At four corners of its high compound wall are four small yet strong towers constructed out of chiselled stone. It is adorned with four flat domes and pucca pavements from all direction of the grave yard to the main octagonal building with magnificent dome in the centre. It contains the foot print of the Prophet engraved in a circular stone. The dome outside is adorned with a golden pinnacle.

Juma Masjid- Juma, means Big, and this is the oldest, biggest, and the most beautiful masjid of Cuttack. It was built during the Mughal era. 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 (storehouse) as it is apparent from the two Mehrabs on the flanks which are closed with bricks.

Festivals

Cuttack, being the aesthetic capital of Odisha for a long period of time, celebrates all festivals from all religions with much fanfare and devotion.

Dusshera, the festival of goddess Durga, is very popular in Cuttack. There are thousands of idols are worshipped in many streets and localities. In this city, Dussehra is famous for its Chandi o Sona Medhas, in which the idols are adorned with huge amounts of gold and silver, with localities trying to outsmart each other by constructing more attractive idols. Indeed, the whole city comes to a standstill on Astami, Navami and in Dashami burning of effigy of the demon Ravana (the eighth, ninth and tenth days of Dussehra) as people travel all over the city appreciating all the idols put forth by the neighbourhoods.

Kali puja, Just after Durga puja gets over, cuttackis gear up with all their vigour to celebrate Kali puja. On the auspicious day of Diwali amidst the bursting of firecrackers on the banks of Mahanadi (called Gadgadia ghat) people not only celebrate the victory of good over evil but also pay tribute to the goddess Kali.

Baliyatra-

The festival which Cuttack is look forward to most is the Bali Yatra. Bali Yatra is supposedly the second largest trade festival in Asia. In olden times, merchants used to trade with South-East Asian countries. And whatever items they brought from those places after trading Oriya goods used to be put up for sale in the capital city (which was then Cuttack). People from all over the state and beyond used to come to Cuttack to buy these items. Bali Yatra is the festival of continuing this ancient tradition. It is held every year in the month of November on the banks of the Mahanadi ("Bali Yatra" literally means a festival to celebtate the trade that the ancient Oriyas had with the island of Bali in the ancient days), where many stalls are set up selling both local and exotic goods. People from all over Odisha come to the Baliyatra to buy items, as was the custom back in those days.

Kartikeshwar puja: The organized puja committees in charge of carrying out the worship of the deity of Cuttack get ready for Kartikeswar Puja. Kartikeshwar is the eldest son of Lord Shiva. Nowhere else except Sabarimala is the Kartikeswar puja carried out with so much elan.

Kite flying is also celebrated with much enthusiasm and energy in the city. Kite-flying culminates with the Makar Sankranti, with kite-flying competitions being held all over the city. All the other regular Indian festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, Vasant Panchami, Holi, Id, Good Friday, Rath Yatra, Diwali, Christmas and the numerous Hindu festivals are also celebrated here.

Cuisine

Among the culinary delights unique to the Millennium City, none compare the famed Dahi Bara and Aludum, a spicy concoction of three basic dishes i.e., dahibara – vadas soaked in

skim yoghurt, ghuguni – curried chickpeas and aludum – whole size potatoes immersed in fiery curry.

Other popular fast foods include Chaat, Gupchup (Panipuri), Bara (Vada), Piaji, Aluchop (Bonda), Singada (Samosa), Pakudi (Pakora), Chakuli (Plain Dosa), Idli, etc.
Here Idlis and Baras are served with a spicy curry unlike Sambar and Chutney in South India.
Thunka Puri is a unique food of Cuttack available only during Bali Jatra.Seu Ganthia a preparation made from Bengal gram flour similar to Chanachoor of North India & Dhanu Moa available during Makar Sankranti are unique to Cuttack

Demographics
As of 2011 India census, Cuttack had a population of 606,007. Males constituted 52% of the population and females 48%. Cuttack has an average literacy rate of 77% with male literacy at 86% and female literacy at 67%. 29% of the population is under 14 years of age.


 Civic Administration

At the Parliament Cuttack has been the seat of Odisha politics since a long time. In the Indian parliament, Cuttack parliamentary constituency is represented by Mr. Bhartruhari Mahatab of Biju Janata Dal (BJD).

At the state Assembly Cuttack City is divided into three constituencies viz. Barabati-Cuttack, Choudwar-Cuttack and Cuttack Sadar. Cuttack sadar is represented by Mr. Kalindi Behera of (BJD) Biju Janata Dal whereas Cuttack Barabati is represented by Mr. Debasish (Rishi) Samantaray of BJD at the State Legislative Assembly while Choudwar-cuttack is represented by Mr. Pravat Biswal (BJD).

At the Municipal Corporation Mr. Soumendra Ghosh is the Mayor of the Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC). He is a lawyer by profession and won the municipal elections with a Biju Janata Dal (BJD) ticket.

Bhubaneswar–Cuttack Police Commissionerate, under the control of Commissioner of Police, looks after the law enforcement in Cuttack. The different police stations in the city are- Cantonment, Bidanasi, Markatnagar, Lalbag, Purighat, Madhupatna, Chauliaganj, Malgodown, Mangalabag, Daraghabazar, Mahila, Choudwar, Jagatpur, Spl. Energy, Sadar, Baranga, Badambadi, Kandarpur, Traffic and Traffic NH Phulnakhara.
 Industries

 Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys (IMFA), the country's largest producer of ferrous alloys is situated at Choudwar, Cuttack. There are a few more industries in Chowdwar. For example the paper mill and the Odisha textile mill. Jagatpur & Khapuria are two industrial estates inside the city. OSL Group one of the leading stevedoring firms of the country is also head quartered in Cuttack.

Education
 Primary and Secondary Schools

Schools in Cuttack are affiliated with the Board of Secondary Education, Orissa (BSE), the all-India Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) boards. Oriya and English are the usual language of instruction. Secondary Board High School (SBHS), considered to be one of the finest schools in the state, is situated here.
Cuttack houses a number of excellent public schools both in ICSE and CBSE such as Stewart School [Netaji's School], New Stewart School, D.A.V. Public School (C.D.A. Sector- 6), Cambridge School, St. Joseph's Girls High school, D.P.S. Kalinga, Kendriya Vidyalaya, S.C.B Medical Public School, etc. Together, these schools have brought pride and recognition to the city, state and country in the field of education.

The other important school in Cuttack is the famous Ravenshaw Collegiate school (oldest school of Odisha) which proudly boasts many eminent personalities in its alumni including Netaji Subash Chandra Bose, Biju Pattnaik, Harekrishna Mahtab, etc. Among other notable schools (run by Odisha state board) are Ranihat High School, Secondary Board High School, Odisha Police High School, Christ Collegiate School, Jobra High School, Kamalakanta Vidayapitha, Peary Mohan Academy, Badambadi New Colony High School, Matrubhaban, Saraswati Sishu Mandira, CRRI High School etc.

 

 Colleges

General Colleges
Cuttack has a number of high level colleges giving education in science, social science, and humanities. The colleges teach both +2 (intermediate) and +3 (bachelor) classes. Some of the prominent colleges are: Ravenshaw (now a University), Sailabala Women's College, JKBK, Stewart Science college, Christ college, Sri Aurobindo institute of higher studies & research. etc.
Medical Colleges
SCB medical College, one of the premier medical colleges in India and the largest medical institution in Odisha, proudly associates its origin to the Silver city – Cuttack. This college produces one of the finest brand of doctors every year. The quality of education imparted in SCB medical college is quite high. SCB medical college has produced some of the very first licensed medical practitioners of India medical fraternity. SCB medical college also has a dental college which gives bachelors degree in dental surgery.
Law Colleges
Cuttack houses NLUO, one of the premier National Law Universities of the country. It also has the Madhu Sudan Law college, named after Madhusudan Das.
Technical Colleges
Cuttack is home to several technical institutions which includes Dhaneshwar Rath Institute of Engineering & Management Studies (DRIEMS), Bhubananda Orissa School of Engineering (BOSE)the 1st technical school of Orissa, Image Institute of technology & management (IITM), IPSAR, IMIT, Ajay Binay Institute of Technology (ABIT), and JIET. The twin cities house around 117 engineering colleges. There exists a textile engineering college in Chowdwar. There is also a Biju Pattnaik film and television institute offering professional courses.
Research Institutes
Central Rice Research Institute (CRRI)
Cuttack hosts several national research laboratories such as the Central Rice Research Institute, located in Bidyadharpur, Cuttack. This is a premier institute of rice research in South Asia.
Swami Vivekananda National Institute of Rehabilitation and Training (NIRTAR)
The Swami Vivekananda National Institute of Rehabilitation Training and Research (SVNIRTAR) is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Govt. of India. It is located in a beautiful rural area at Olatpur at a distance of 30 km from Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. It conducts three Bachelor Degree courses in Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Prosthetics and Orthotics, two Postgraduate courses in Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy affiliated to Utkal University, Bhubaneswar.
Regional Spinal Injury Centre (RSIC)
The Regional Spinal Injury Centre, Cuttack has been functioning inside the S.C.B. Medical College Campus since 2001. RSIC is an autonomous organization under the administrative and financial control of Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Odisha and is headed by Director of the RSIC. This is one of the institutions which provide rehabilitation measures to persons with disabilities especially spinal injury.
Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre (AHRCC)
Acharya Harihar Regional Cancer Centre
The AHRCC, the only one of its kind in east India, carries out high-end research and treatment in cancer.
Universities

Ravenshaw University

Ravenshaw University came into existence on the 15th day of November, 2006. It was an upgradation of Ravenshaw College established in 1868, one of the oldest and largest colleges in India.

National Law University, Odisha

The National Law University, Orissa, at Cuttack, is a premier Law University established by the National Law University Orissa Act of 2008 and is a member of the existing group of National Law Universities of India.

Sri Sri University

The university is being established by the Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Vidya Mandir Trust, conceptualized and under the guidance of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar at Naraj, Cuttack. The legal process of establishing the University was completed on January 2010.[13] Sri Sri University will be functional from academic year 2011-12. Sri Sri Institute of Management Studies – the first college of SSU will induct the first batch of students in June 2011.

Air

The nearest airport is the Biju Patnaik Airport at Bhubaneswar, about 28 km away. A domestic airport, it has flights to almost all major Indian cities. The Charbatia Airbase located in Cuttack is for the exclusive use of the Indian Air Force.

Rail

Cuttack Rail Station

Cuttack is an important station on the Howrah-Chennai mainline of the East Coast Railway and falls under the Khurda Road division. A branch line to Paradeep starts from Cuttack. It is connected to all parts of India through trains run by the Indian Railways.The Cuttack Railway station is selected to be developed as a multi functional railway station with food courts shopping plaza, theaters to be developed . Other railway stations in the city are Balikuda, Kathjori, Kendrapara road, Nirgundi, Manguli-Choudwar and Naraj.

Road

National Highway 5 passes through the city. A part of the Golden Quadrilateral project, this highway runs from Chennai to Kolkata. Feeder state highways connect Cuttack to Jajpur, Paradeep, Talcher, Angul, Kendrapara and nearby towns in Cuttack district. Intra city transport is primarily through Cycle rickshaws and auto rickshaws. Nowadays DTS city buses ply in two routes in the city to join different places in the city and the state capital Bhubaneswar. Cuttack is a major junction connecting all the major parts of the state. The bus terminus at Cuttack is known as Badambadi, and is one of the largest bus terminus in India, and thousands of private and government buses ply to hundreds of destinations everyday.

Sports AND Entertainment

Sports facilities

Modern Cuttack is the home to Barabati Stadium, an important venue for international cricket matches. Cuttack also possesses Satyabrata stadium, DRIEMS cricket stadium at Tangi and Jawaharlal Nehru indoor stadium along with some very good playgrounds like Nimpur, Bidanasi, Sunshine, Ravenshaw ground, SCB medical ground, etc. The 18th and 24th National Games were held at Cuttack in 1958 and 1970 respectively.

INDORE STADIUM

Cuttack has a branch of sports authority of India (SAI) training centres, which was established on 26 March 1987, under Sports Hostel Scheme at Barabati Stadium, Cuttack. Government of Odisha has provided accommodation facility at Barabati stadium for boys and at Jawaharlal Nehru indoor stadium for girls. The centre gives training for athletics, basketball, football, volleyball, and gymnastic. There is a quite nice athletic track at the Satyabrata stadium, near Barabati stadium.
The ring road (that surrounds Cuttack) along rivers Mahanadi and Kathajodi is a popular (and safe) morning-walk route for the residents of Cuttack.
Libraries
Cuttack is blessed with the huge collection of books and journals in Kanika Library (Ravenshaw University).
For Oriya literature, there is Padhiari Pathagara with a decent collection of books.
The municipality run library called Biswanath pandit library (situated close to Badambadi by the Kathajodi river side) has a very good collection of books, magazines, and journals.
Theatres
Cuttack had been the centre of art and literature in the past. The Arnapurna Theater, Group-B is one of the oldest theater of Odisha and is situated in Buxi Bazaar, Cuttack. Cuttack has several movie theatres playing movie in Oriya, Hindi, and English languages. To cater to the needs of a large Telugu audience in Cuttack, a few theatres also play Telugu movie. Some of the well-known theatres are Grand, Jayashree (Badambadi), Nishamani (Link road), Samrat, etc.
Parks
Cuttack has a deer park, near Barabati stadium, overseeing the beautiful Mahanadi River. The park has about 60 deer. There are other city parks like CDA Sector-6 Park, Khannagar Park, Jobra Park. Biju-Pattnaik Park at Bidanasi (on the way to Dhabaleswar temple) is quite a nice park for spending ones afternoons and evenings. It’s also a popular destination for a mini-picnic.
Freedom Fighter's Memorial
It was inaugurated by Honourable Chief Minister of Odisha Mr. Naveen Patnaik on January 23, 2010, on the occasion of Netaji Jayanti (Netaji Subas Chandra Bose Birthday). It is situated at the Old Jail complex (near Big Bazar), Dargha Bazar, Cuttack.
Netaji Museum

Cuttack takes pride in being the birthplace of the prominent Indian statesman, independence leader and freedom-fighter Subhas Chandra Bose. Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose studied in an Anglo school till standard six which is now known as Stewart School and then shifted to Ravenshaw Collegiate school of Cuttack. The birthplace of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose which is known as Janakinath Bhawan in Oriya Bazar has now been converted to a museum named Netaji Birth Place Museum where original letters written by Netaji along with other Netaji's important materials are exhibited.

 CONCLUSION-

                                CUTTACK IS A SWEET PLACE... FOR EVERYONE...