You might have heard the old cliché in travel writing - ‘melting pot of tradition and modernity’. Well, this is the cliché that is true for Cuttack. On one hand, it is the millennium city of Odisha and on the other, it is a city which is more than a millennia old. It is the business capital of Odisha and in medieval times and even today, it is famous for its silver filigree work. Modernity and ancient traditions jostle for space in this city. An excellent tourism destination with many tourist attractions, the city is famous for arts, crafts, history and religion - the quintessential requirements for the Indian tourist. The best things to do in Cuttack • Visit the Nandankanan Zoological Park The Nandankanan Zoological Park is one of the largest zoos in India with a difference. Unlike other zoos, Nandankanan is built inside a forest and thus there are no simulated environments except for the enclosures in which the animals live. Tourist cottages are available in Nandankanan during the day time, but you need to reserve them in advance from the office of the Deputy Director, Nandankanan Zoological Park. • Visit the Barabati Fort The Barabati fort is a 14th-century fort which is a great location for history lovers and photography lovers. Close to the Mahanadi river, this fort was built by the rulers of the Ganga dynasty and this a must-see spot where you can spend an hour or two. • Mahanadi Barrage The old and might Mahanadi river is an important part of the identity of Cuttack, which make Mahanandi Barrage an important landmark in the city. There is a road over the barrage that offers visitors spectacular views of the waters of the Mahanadi as they gush down the barrage. This place attracts a lot of people in the evenings. • Dhabaleswar Temple Situated 27 km away from Cuttack, Dhabaleswar temple is a must-see place as it located on the island of Dhabaleswar in the Mahanadi River. Along with its serene ambiance and picturesque beauty, the site is of historical importance too as it contains sculptures from the 10th century A.D. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Boats are available to reach the temple; however, the travellers can also use the ropeway to get to the temple. • Chandi Temple Chandi temple is dedicated to the goddess Chandi, a reincarnation of Goddess Durga. It is located on the banks of the Mahanadi River and is known for its architectural grandeur. The temple sees lots of rush during Durga puja and Kali puja. • Janakinath Bhawan This is the ancestral home of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, the great Indian freedom fighter. He spent the early part of his childhood here. Today it is a museum that showcases the different stages of his life. • Stone Revetment Cuttack is one of the few cities in the world that is below sea level and thus always in danger of floods. The Stone Revetment is an ancient engineering marvel of the Keshari kings of the 11th century which was built to protect the city from floods. Must visit for nature and architecture lovers. • Odisha Maritime Museum This is another popular tourist destination within the city where you can see the rich maritime history of Odisha with documented records and exhibits of boat building techniques, maritime rituals, monuments and more. • Paradeep Beach The Paradeep beach is another popular tourist haunt which is also one of the biggest ports in India. Go here for an ideal relaxed day with family and friends. Where to stay in Cuttack? It is best to choose your place to stay depending on the nature of your visit to Cuttack, but if you want to get a feel of the city and the life that goes on here, it is best to book hotels in Cuttack that are near the Railway Station. OYO rooms make sure that you get the best experience of living while travelling and therefore you can choose rooms with various facilities and for varied budgets. Whether you need Premium hotels or you need budget hotels in Cuttack, OYO rooms have it all for you. Simply look at the ratings provided against the property and the photos provided and book your rooms. Hotels in Cuttack The greatest advantage of booking hotels in Cuttack using OYO rooms is that you can do this irrespective of where you are physically, with just a few clicks on your phone or computer. You can set filters on the OYO website or app based on parameters such as - budget, number of people travelling and number of days a room is required for. Budget hotels in Cuttack come with standard facilities such in-house dining, attached bathroom and air-conditioner. Premium hotels in Cuttack come with all these plus additional facilities such as gym, laundry, house-keeping and banquet hall. You can find all kinds of hotels in Cuttack listed on OYO rooms. Just choose your preferred locality and the amenities you need such as ‘free Wi-Fi’, ‘complimentary breakfast’ and choose from the best Cuttack hotels. Best time to visit Cuttack for events or festivals Durga Puja is a Hindu festival celebrated to worship the warrior Goddess Durga who rid the world of evil demonic forces. This festival is celebrated with great pomp and gaiety in Cuttack and thus this is the best time to visit Cuttack for festivals. Durga Puja is celebrated for 10 days in Cuttack and the whole city wears a festive look during the days of the festival. It might get difficult to find the best rooms in Cuttack hotels during this time so it is advised that you book your rooms through OYO in advance.