Cuttack: Steeped in history and culture, Cuttack—the millennium city and heart of Odisha— once again showcased its rich heritage as the 77th edition of Cuttack Heritage Walks explored the century-old Kalinga Gymnasium (Kalinga Bayamshala) located near Shaheed Bhawan in the Chaudhuri Bazaar area.
Known for its deep cultural roots and illustrious landmarks like SCB Medical College and Hospital, Ravenshaw College, the Orissa High Court, Barabati Stadium, and vibrant traditions such as Bali Yatra and Dussehra, Cuttack continues to embody the essence of Odisha’s heritage, unity, and “bhaichara” (brotherhood).
Among its many enduring institutions, the Kalinga Gymnasium stands out as a unique center dedicated to physical fitness, wrestling, and healthy living. Established in 1920 by the late Padma Charan Ray in Kazi Bazaar and later relocated to Nimchouri in 1928, the gymnasium found its permanent home in Chaudhuri Bazaar in 1943, when the British government allotted one acre of land recognizing its contribution to public health and discipline.
Under the leadership of eminent Odia leaders such as Harekrushna Mahatab and Nabakrushna Chaudhuri, the institution flourished. Mahatab, as the first president, formed a management committee and appointed Padma Charan Ray as secretary to oversee its activities. After Ray’s demise in 1961, Fakir Charan Mohanty and Akshay Panda took over its administration, leading the gymnasium to national prominence.
Over the decades, Kalinga Gymnasium has nurtured generations of wrestlers, bodybuilders, and weightlifters, contributing significantly to Cuttack’s sporting glory. It remains a symbol of the city’s dedication to health, discipline, and community well-being—values deeply ingrained in Odisha’s cultural fabric since ancient times.
The Cuttack Heritage Walks team, led by Dr. Dipak Samantarai, Founder-Convenor, facilitated the visit to this iconic institution. Senior members Jayant Singh, Biswaranjan Dehuri, Kishore Bit, Hitesh Seth, Jitendra Singh, Aditya Prasad Ghosh, Lalit Mohan Panda, and Amar Prasad Patra coordinated the event.
The walk served as a tribute to Cuttack’s living heritage — a city that not only preserves its glorious past but also continues to inspire generations through institutions like the Kalinga Gymnasium, where the ancient art of wrestling still thrives in the modern age.