Kota
Distance from
Jaipur 239
Overview
Once a city of huge strategic importance, Kota has found its stride in modern Rajasthan as a major industrial and chemical centre, and so remains refreshingly free from tourist hustle. Still, it has a spectacular palace with an excellent museum and lovely murals. The revitalising Chambal River, filled with small crocodiles and plied by boats of all sizes, is the state's only permanent river, and sustains a wealth of mostly unexplored terrain. Kota is also famous for kota doria, exquisite saris woven with golden thread in the nearby village of Kaithoon.
Following Rajput conquest of this area in the 12th century AD, Bundi became its capital, with Kota going to the ruler's eldest son. In 1624, Kota became a separate state, remaining so until it was integrated into Rajasthan after Independence.
Building of the city began in 1264 following the defeat of the Bhils, but Kota didn't reach its present size until the 17th century, when Rao Madho Singh, a son of the Bundi ruler, was handed Kota by the Mughal emperor Jehangir.
Today Kota also serves as an army headquarters and its wide, leafy streets add a touch of welcome airs and graces. In October, the town hosts Dussehra Mela, and thousands of pilgrims descend in the month of Kartika (October/November) for Kashavrai Patan.
Attraction
Chambal Garden: A beautifully landscaped garden at the Amar Niwas. Its lush surroundings make it a popular picnic spot offering enjoyable boar 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 brought here from Baroli.
Jag Mandir: Amid the picturesque artificial lake of Kishore Sagar constructed in 1346 AD by Prince Dher Deh of Bundi, stands the enchanting little palace of Jag Mandir.
Haveli of Devtaji: The beautiful Haveli of Devta Shridharji is located in the middle of the busy market. The haveli is noted for its splendid frescoes and rooms ornate with lovely wall paintings.
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 Budh Singh Bafna haveli and Yatayat Park.
How to reach
By Air: Sanganer Airport, located at Jaipur, is the closest airbase to Kota. It is located at a distance of around 245 km from the destination and is well connected to major cities of India including New Delhi and Mumbai. Travellers can take buses or hire cabs and taxis from the airport to reach the city centre. The Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi is the nearest international airport to Kota.
By Road: There are express and deluxe buses to Kota at regular interval from Jaipur via Tonk, Devli and Bundi, journey time about 5 hrs. There are also regular bus connections to Chittorgarh and Udaipur and other places in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh bordering Rajasthan.Local auto rickshaws and cycle rickshaws are the alternatives for local transport.
By Train: Kota is well connected on the main Mumbai-Delhi rail route via Sawai Madhopur. Plenty of express trains, some superfast and Rajdhani regularly reach Kota from Delhi and Mumbai. It is also connected by a super fast train leaving daily from Jaipur to Mumbai Central.
