Barabati Fort, Cuttack - Timings, History, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 7 km from Cuttack Railway Station, Barabati Fort is an ancient fort located in the city of Cuttack. It is one of the top heritage sites near Bhubaneswar, and among the must-include places in Cuttack packages.

Situated on the banks of the river Mahanadi, the construction of Barabati Fort began in 987 CE by Marakata Keshari of Somavanshi dynasty while building a stone embankment to protect Cuttack from floods. King Anangabhima Dev III later shifted his capital to Cuttack and built the fort. In the 14th century, Chalukyan King Mukundadev Harichandan constructed a nine-storey palace. The city passed through various rulers until coming under British rule in 1803. Today, only the remnants of the fort remain.

According to the Archaeological surveys, the fort was roughly rectangular in structure having an area of over 102 acres, and was surrounded on all sides with a stone paved moat, and a wall of laterite and sandstones. At the center of the fort, there was a high mound with a tank on the western side. To the east of the mound, there is the Shahi Mosque while in the west of the tank lies the tomb of Hazrat Ali Bukhari. In the northeastern corner of the mound remains of a temple have been found. Since 1915, the site has been declared a protected area by the Archaeological Survey of India due to its historical significance.

During the 1989 excavation, several antiquities have been found including eighteen massive pillar bases, aligned in four rows at regular intervals, were exposed in the southern area. Excavations of the site were also carried out in 2007, and found a seated goddess, lion-head, lamp fragment, balls and pot fragments of stone, sling balls, fragments of animal figurines of terracotta and axe and a stylus made of iron. The pottery finds comprised storage jars, spouted vessels, lamps, knobbed lids, miniature pots, dishes and bowls, the final portion of a hukkah and pieces of Chinese porcelain.

The fort is situated at such a calculated place that it provides a beautiful and spectacular view of the modern Cuttack city. The famous Barabati Stadium, which is said to be the venue for various sports, events and cultural programs, is situated next to the Barabati fort. The famous temple of Goddess Katak Chandi is also situated near the fort. The fort brings charm to the city and depicts its glorious history.

Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM

Entry: Free