Cuttack

Cuttack, also known as Katak in the Odia language, is a city and the district headquarters of Cuttack district in the state of Odisha, India. Located on the delta formed by the Mahanadi River, just northeast of Bhubaneswar, the city sits at the confluence of the Kathajodi and Mahanadi rivers and serves as a major urban and commercial center in the region.

Historically, Cuttack served as the capital of the state of Odisha for several centuries, with the capital moving to Bhubaneswar in 1949. The city retains a number of historical sites, including Barabati Fort, a medieval fortress on the banks of the Kathajodi, and the Cuttack Chandi Temple, a major religious landmark dedicated to the goddess Chandi.

Cuttack is renowned for tarakasi, the traditional silver filigree craft, practiced by artisans in the old city and sold across India. The Ravenshaw University, founded in 1868 as Ravenshaw College, is one of the leading higher education institutions in the city; it is complemented by several other colleges and professional institutes.

With a population in the hundreds of thousands, Cuttack is one of Odisha's major urban centers. Odia is the predominant language, and the city hosts cultural and religious events throughout the year, including Durga Puja and other festivals that highlight its crafts, temples, and riverine setting.