A visitor to Kota is in for a double bonus. Located along the eastern bank of the Chambal river, the city remains untouched on the one hand, and a bustling industrial center on the other. Impressive forts, opulent palaces and splendid temples dating back over several centuries retain its glory, while present day edifices and heavy industries make Kota throng with activity.
A bit of history, way back in the 12th century A.D. the Hada Chieftain, Rao Deva conquered the territory and founded Bundi and Hadoti. Down the millennia in the early 17th century A.D., during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, the ruler of Bundi, Rao Ratan Singh, bequeathed the smaller principality of Kota to his son, Madho Singh.
The blend of the old and the new becomes evident as one stands in the commanding fort overlooking the modern Chambal Valley Project with its many dams - the Kota Barrage, Gandhi Sagar, Rana Pratap Sagar and the Jawahar Sagar.
An old ornate palace dating back to the time when Kota was under the control of the Hada chieftaincy - Hadoti, faces the Kota Barrage. Its Durbar Hall glitters with beautiful mirror work with doors of ebony and ivory.
The Brij Raj Bhawan Palace, the Jag Mandir - an island palace, the splendid havelis with mesmerizing frescoes and the royal cenotaphs are a must see for any visitor.
Places of interest:-
Chambal Garden: A beautifully landscaped garden at the Amar Niwas. Its lush surroundings make it a popular picnic spot offering enjoyable boat rides.
Maharao Madho Singh Museum: Situated in the old palace, the museum has a superb collection of Rajput miniature paintings of the Kota school, exquisite sculptures, frescoes and armoury. The museum also houses a rich repository of artistic items used by the Kota rulers.
The Government Museum: Housed in the Brijvilas Palace near the Kishore Sagar, the museum displays a rich collection of rare coins, manuscripts and a representative selection of Hadoti sculpture. Especially noteworthy is an exquisitely sculptured statue of reclining Vishnu brought here from Badoli.
Jag Mandir: Amid the picturesque artificial lake of Kishore Sagar constructed in 1346 A.D. by Prince Dheer Deh of Bundi, stands the enchanting little palace of Jag Mandir. The azure waters around the red-sandstone monument enhances its beauty. The Keshar Bagh famous for its royal cenotaphs lies in the vicinity.
Kota Barrage: A part of the irrigation canal system on the Chambal River, this beautiful setting is ideal for outings and evening strolls.
Other Places worth visiting: Kansua temple with a four-faced Shiva Lingam, Bhitria Kund, Adhar Shila, Art Gallery, Karni Mata temple, Shaheed Park, Yatayat Park. Etc.
EXCURSIONS
Badoli (48 kms): The oldest and the most beautiful temple complex of Rajasthan dating back to the 9th century A.D. lies on the way to the Rana Pratap Sagar Dam. The intricate carvings and an exquisite image of Natraja (Shiva), the cosmic dancer on the door of the mandap, offer fine examples of craftsmanship. Many interesting shrines also lie close by.
Rana Pratap Sagar Dam and Bhainsrodgarh (50-55 kms): Bhainsrodgarh Fort lies on the right bank of the Chambal River and a village lies within the fort. The fort is set amidst scenic surroundings. An ancient temple of Gaipar Nath Mahadev on the way is an idyllic picnic spot.
Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary (50 kms): An erstwhile royal hunting preserve, it is a thickly wooded sanctuary lying along the south-eastern border of Kota adjacent to the mountain range. The wildlife variety includes panther, spotted deer, wild boar and bear.
Rock Paintings of Alaniya (25 kms): Beautiful rock paintings adorn the bank of the river Alaniya.
Shopping: Kota is the home of the famous 'Kota Doria' sarees made in small villages around the city.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
HOW TO REACH KOTA
Air: Jaipur 245 Km is the nearest airport.
Rail: Lying on the Delhi-Mumbai route, Kota is well served by regular super fast rail services. Some important train connections are: Golden Temple Express (Mumbai-Kota-Amritsar); Rajdhani Express (Mumbai-Kota-New Delhi); Dehradun Express (Mumbai-Kota-Dehradun); Paschim Express (New Delhi-Kota-Mumbai); Avadh Express (Mumbai-Kota-Gorakhpur); Swaraj Express (Mumbai-Kota-New Delhi); Jan Shatabdi (Hazrat Nizamuddin to Kota).
Road: Good network of road connections link Kota with many important cities inside and outside the state. Some notable distances are: Udaipur 270 kms, Bundi 40 kms, Delhi 504 kms, Ahmedabad 522 kms, Bhopal 320 kms, Jaipur 250 kms,Jhalawar 85 kms.
Local Transport: Un-metered taxis, auto-rickshaws, tempos, cycle rickshaws.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Area: 193.58 sq. km.
Altitude: 251 .1 metres
Climate: Mean Max. Mean Min.
Summer: 42.6 °C 29.7 °C
Winter: 24.5 °C 11.6 °C
Rainfall: 88 cms.
Best Season: October - February
Clothing: Summer: Light Tropical
Winter: Light woollen
Languages: Hindi, English, Rajasthani.
A bit of history, way back in the 12th century A.D. the Hada Chieftain, Rao Deva conquered the territory and founded Bundi and Hadoti. Down the millennia in the early 17th century A.D., during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Jahangir, the ruler of Bundi, Rao Ratan Singh, bequeathed the smaller principality of Kota to his son, Madho Singh.
The blend of the old and the new becomes evident as one stands in the commanding fort overlooking the modern Chambal Valley Project with its many dams - the Kota Barrage, Gandhi Sagar, Rana Pratap Sagar and the Jawahar Sagar.
An old ornate palace dating back to the time when Kota was under the control of the Hada chieftaincy - Hadoti, faces the Kota Barrage. Its Durbar Hall glitters with beautiful mirror work with doors of ebony and ivory.
The Brij Raj Bhawan Palace, the Jag Mandir - an island palace, the splendid havelis with mesmerizing frescoes and the royal cenotaphs are a must see for any visitor.
Places of interest:-
Chambal Garden: A beautifully landscaped garden at the Amar Niwas. Its lush surroundings make it a popular picnic spot offering enjoyable boat rides.
Maharao Madho Singh Museum: Situated in the old palace, the museum has a superb collection of Rajput miniature paintings of the Kota school, exquisite sculptures, frescoes and armoury. The museum also houses a rich repository of artistic items used by the Kota rulers.
The Government Museum: Housed in the Brijvilas Palace near the Kishore Sagar, the museum displays a rich collection of rare coins, manuscripts and a representative selection of Hadoti sculpture. Especially noteworthy is an exquisitely sculptured statue of reclining Vishnu brought here from Badoli.
Jag Mandir: Amid the picturesque artificial lake of Kishore Sagar constructed in 1346 A.D. by Prince Dheer Deh of Bundi, stands the enchanting little palace of Jag Mandir. The azure waters around the red-sandstone monument enhances its beauty. The Keshar Bagh famous for its royal cenotaphs lies in the vicinity.
Kota Barrage: A part of the irrigation canal system on the Chambal River, this beautiful setting is ideal for outings and evening strolls.
Other Places worth visiting: Kansua temple with a four-faced Shiva Lingam, Bhitria Kund, Adhar Shila, Art Gallery, Karni Mata temple, Shaheed Park, Yatayat Park. Etc.
EXCURSIONS
Badoli (48 kms): The oldest and the most beautiful temple complex of Rajasthan dating back to the 9th century A.D. lies on the way to the Rana Pratap Sagar Dam. The intricate carvings and an exquisite image of Natraja (Shiva), the cosmic dancer on the door of the mandap, offer fine examples of craftsmanship. Many interesting shrines also lie close by.
Rana Pratap Sagar Dam and Bhainsrodgarh (50-55 kms): Bhainsrodgarh Fort lies on the right bank of the Chambal River and a village lies within the fort. The fort is set amidst scenic surroundings. An ancient temple of Gaipar Nath Mahadev on the way is an idyllic picnic spot.
Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary (50 kms): An erstwhile royal hunting preserve, it is a thickly wooded sanctuary lying along the south-eastern border of Kota adjacent to the mountain range. The wildlife variety includes panther, spotted deer, wild boar and bear.
Rock Paintings of Alaniya (25 kms): Beautiful rock paintings adorn the bank of the river Alaniya.
Shopping: Kota is the home of the famous 'Kota Doria' sarees made in small villages around the city.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
HOW TO REACH KOTA
Air: Jaipur 245 Km is the nearest airport.
Rail: Lying on the Delhi-Mumbai route, Kota is well served by regular super fast rail services. Some important train connections are: Golden Temple Express (Mumbai-Kota-Amritsar); Rajdhani Express (Mumbai-Kota-New Delhi); Dehradun Express (Mumbai-Kota-Dehradun); Paschim Express (New Delhi-Kota-Mumbai); Avadh Express (Mumbai-Kota-Gorakhpur); Swaraj Express (Mumbai-Kota-New Delhi); Jan Shatabdi (Hazrat Nizamuddin to Kota).
Road: Good network of road connections link Kota with many important cities inside and outside the state. Some notable distances are: Udaipur 270 kms, Bundi 40 kms, Delhi 504 kms, Ahmedabad 522 kms, Bhopal 320 kms, Jaipur 250 kms,Jhalawar 85 kms.
Local Transport: Un-metered taxis, auto-rickshaws, tempos, cycle rickshaws.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Area: 193.58 sq. km.
Altitude: 251 .1 metres
Climate: Mean Max. Mean Min.
Summer: 42.6 °C 29.7 °C
Winter: 24.5 °C 11.6 °C
Rainfall: 88 cms.
Best Season: October - February
Clothing: Summer: Light Tropical
Winter: Light woollen
Languages: Hindi, English, Rajasthani.