Ganga empire built the Barabati Fort in the 14th century near to the Cuttack Orrisa. This is a nine-storied palace with the ruins of its mountain earth, gate, and moat that reminds the past memories of it. Now at the present time, it is located next to the Barabati Stadium at which various cultural and sports events were organized. Not so far from this fort, there is a Katak Chandi temple. To develop the tourism in the Gadakhai, there are not plans for the development of world class park and boating facilities and this improvement for renovation is now become in a full on swing.

This fort was located on the western side of the city near the bank of Mahanadi River. As farfrom the heart of Cuttack, this was situated about a distance of 8 km. In the ancient times, this fort of Barabati was a nine-storey palace. Now to maintain this royal piece, the charge was taken by the local authorities. This fort covered an area of about 102 acres.

About the 20 yards ditch, fort moat was commonly named as Gadakhai. Its construction was started in the 11th century but again it was renovated in the 14th century. The work by archaeological staff informed that the walls of the fort were constructed with sandstone and laterite. There are various amazing carvings on the gate of this fort, which is very attractive.The fort tells the story of the Ganga dynasty through the carved gate of the fort, moat of the fort, and earthen mound of this Barabati fort. Since the construction start of the fort, there were lots of changes that this fort has undergone.

This internal part of the fort has a capacity of about 30000 people gathering so its internal was transformed into a stadium. Now at the present time, there held a culture and sports events.

History

The king Nrupa KEshari has found the Cuttack in the 989 AD. To make the city protected fromthe floods, there was a formation of revetment of stone around 1006 AD on the bank of Kathajodi by the King Marakata Keshari. The capital Choudwar Kataka was shifted by the King Anangabhima Dev III towards the Cuttack, which is also named as 'Abhinaba Varanasi Kataka'. He also established the fort of Barabati in the 1229 AD. There were several empires that ruled the Cuttack like Bhois, Gangas, Kesharis, and Gajapatis. According to the myth, the city was founded by the Somavansi king Nrupakesari. According to the Madalapanji, in 989 AD, this fort was built. But according to the beliefs of the late Prof. P.Mukharjee, city of Cuttack was founded by the Ganga king Anangabhimadeva III with ruling for about 1211 to 1238 AD.

In the 1560 AD century, about nine-storey building was established by the Chalukya King Mukundadev Harichandan. As because of fighting with the Suleiman Karni, a Sultan of Bengal in 1568 AD, this Hindu king died. This fort was protected by two rings on the banks of both Mahanadi and Kathajodi in the 15th and 16th century AD. This city was transformed to the various rulers like it was handover to the Afghan rulers in 1562, then to the Marathas in year 1751, and then to Orissa and in the year 1803, this city came under the ruling of British. In year 1919, Cuttack was connected via the railway lines with the Calcutta and Madras. At the initial time in 1936, it converted into the capital of State of Orissa up to year 1948 and then the capital was turned to the Bhubaneswar. It is about 1000 years passed of the existence of this city since 1989.

At the western region of the city on the bank of the river Mahanadi, there were present the ruins of the old fort of Barabati. Now only the remains of the fort were present with the nine-storey palace. According to the survey of archaeologist, the structure of the fort was formed of sandstone and laterite and it covers an area of about 102 acres as a whole. There is also a presence of tank on the west region of the mound. There were remains of the old temple on the northeast region of the fort. This temple was constructed with the laterite blocks and the white sandstone. In the ruins of this fort, there were stone idol of Jagannath Lord in the temple at the period of Ganga dynasty. There is still existence of a mosque that was manufactured by the Nawab Murshid Quli Khan who was a governor of Emperor Aurangzeb in the 1719 CE.

How to Reach

This Barabati fort is the main tourist attraction in the Cuttack. This fort was present on the west side of the city at the bank of Mahanadi River and it is about 8 km far from the Cuttack.

By Air

Bhubaneshwar is the near one airport to reach the Barabati Fort.

By Rail

The rail line to reach the Barabati fort is from the Cuttack.

By Road

Through the road passage via major cities like Konark, Kolkata, Puri, and Bhubaneshwar, Cuttack can be reached.

Nearby Places to Visit

Dhabaleswar

Dhabaleswar is an attractive and small island on the Mahanadi River. One can visit this place through the boat or through a hanging bridge over the road. There is a temple of Lord Shiva with the stairs up to the temple that is the common and popular attraction of this place.

Udayagiri-Ratnagiri-Lalitgiri

These trio of the hills are most beautiful at its natures and shows the sculptures of the Lord Buddha era.

Gorakhnath Temple

This is most popular and most beautiful temple of the Lord Shiva. It was located on the Paradip on the 12 state highway from the city of Cuttack. This is a place where one can enjoy the most peaceful time.

Chowdwar

This is the most common picnic spot on the bank of Mahanadi. There are many places to visit with friends and family in this area of Chowdwar.

Weather and Best Time to Visit

There are more wet and dry climatic features in the Cuttack. In the month of March to June, the weather is very humid and hot. In the summer season, there were lots of thunderstorms. Monsoon season starts from July to October and it gives its affect in the southwest region of the city. There is about 144 cm of average annual rainfall. There are some occasional showers in the winter season too. In summer season, temperature ranges up to 40°C and may low down to the level of 10°C in winter.

The best time to visit this place is around mid January to mid March.

Accomodation

Dwaraka Resorts Pvt Ltd

It is the third very common hotel or resort in the area. It serves more comfortable rooms with all required facilities for a short trip.

Address

Bhajrakabati Rd,
Cuttack 753001,
Orissa, India

Hotel Akbari Continental

This hotel is one of the most popular and luxurious hotel that has second position as an option. This hotel is the best option for a short trip to the city Cuttack and this also offered a various facilities that are required for tourist.

Address

Dolmundai,
Haripur Road
Cuttack 753001,
Orissa, India

Timings and Tickets

Timings: From Sunrise to Sunset

Tickets: For Indian - Re 1/head
For foreigners - Rs 10/ head

Photo Gallery

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