Kota is situated on the bank of the river Chambal in southern part of the state of Rajasthan. Kota is a famous for its industries as well as natural beauty. The town of Kota was established by Maharao Madho Singh around 1264. Kota was once the part of the erstwhile Rajput kingdom of Bundi. It became a separate princely state in the 17th century. Apart from the several monuments that reflect the erstwhile glory of the town, Kota is also known for its palaces and gardens.
The commanding fort stands overlooking the modern Chambal Valley Project with its many dams- Kota Barrage,Gandhi Sagar,Rana Pratap Sagar and Jawahar Sagar. An old palace,dating back to the time when Kota was under the control of Hada Chieftaincy-Hadoti faces the Kota Barrage. The Durbar Hall is ornate with beautiful mirror work and has ebony and ivory doors. Exquisite miniatures of the Kota school are housed within the Hall. Other noteworthy edifices of the bygone era are the Brij Raj Bhawan Palace,Jag Mandir-and island Palace, a splendid haveli (mandion) with beautiful frescoes and the royal cenotaphs. Along the eastern bank of the Chambal River lies Kota - an amazing juxtaposition of the majestic medieval age and modern industrialisation temples its untouched wealth of impressive forts, opulent palaces and splendid temples dating back over several centuries retain the past glory, the present day edifices and heavy industries have made it the industrial heartland of Rajasthan.
Area of Kota : 193.58 Sq. Kms. (approx.)
Population in Kota : 6,58,167 (approx.)
Altitude of Kota : 251.1 meters above the sea level
STD Code of Kota : 0744
Best time to visit Kota : September to March
Languages Spoken in Kota : Hindi, Rajasthani, Marwar and English
Kota Tourist Attractions :
Kishore Sagar & Jag Mandir : Prince Dher Deh of Bundi got the Kishore Sagar Lake constructed in 1346. A scenic lake, it houses a palace, Jag Mandir in the center. Made up of red sandstone, the palace looks a picture of serenity standing in the middle of the lake. Nearby is Keshar Bagh, housing some royal cenotaphs. Boating facilities are also available at the lake.
Dara Game Sanctuary : Fifty km from Kota surrounded by hills is a valley called Dara. Many animals including leopards, Neel Gava, deer and different type of birds can be seen in this sanctuary. Waters of Amjar River further add to the beauty of this region.
Rana Pratap Sagar Dam : Rana Pratap Sagar dam is the second in the series of Chambal Valley Projects, located 52 km downstream of Gandhi Sagar dam across the river Chambal in Rajasthan. This dam was completed in the year 1970.
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.
Chambal Garden : Situated near the river Chambal, Chambal garden serves as a popular picnic spot. The garden is nearby Amar Niwas Palace and presents a picturesque sight. One can even go for boating in the Chambal River.
Kansua Temple : Kansua temple is famous for a rare four-faced Shivlinga that it enshrines.
Kota Barrage : A part of the irrigation canal system on the Chambal River,this beautiful setting is ideal for outings and evening strolls.
Museums in Kota :
Maharao Madho Singh Museum : Maharao Madho Singh museum is situated in the old palace. The museum has on display a rich collection of Rajput miniature paintings (Kota school), sculptures, murals, arms, etc. Also exhibited are some artistic items used by the former rulers of Kota.
Government Museum : Housed in the Brijvilas Palace, the Government museum exhibits an array of rare coins, manuscripts, sections of Hadoti sculpture, etc. The most remarkable item on display is a sculpted statue brought here from Baroli, famous for its beauty and the history attached to it.
Fairs and Festivals in Kota :
Chandrabhaga Fair : The Chandrabhaga fair is held every year at Jhalrapatan (6kms from Jhalawar) in the month of Kartik (Oct-Nov). The River Chadrabhaga runs here and is considered holy by the people residing in this part of Rajasthan.
Dussehra Festival : One of the big festivals celebrated in most parts of India is Dussehra. The festival is celebrated with zest and festivities as it also marks the beginning of the winter season after the long, unbearable, hot summer. Dussehra marks the victory of Ram over the demon king Ravana, and the rescue of his wife Sita.
Shopping in Kota :
Kota shopping destinations are best known for their rich arts and crafts. The most famous and sought after shopping item in Kota are the Kota Doria saris. Kota saris are finely weaved with cotton and silk threads. The traditional weaving method is being used even today to make the saris. Amongst the various types of Kota saris, the more popular ones are hand-woven chequered and printed Kota saris.
Accommodations in Kota :
Budget hotels are few in Kota. Most of the accommodation available here is mid range. One can also find erstwhile palaces converted into hotels here. Umaid Bhavan Palace and Brijraj Bhavan Palace are two such hotels. Most of the important hotels in Kota are located on or around the Station Road.
How to Reach Kota :
By Air : The Kota airport is connected to Jaipur, which is in turn, is linked to major cities like, Delhi, Mumbai and Udaipur.
By Train : The Kota Railway station falls on the Delhi-Mumbai rail route. A number of trains link Kota to various other cities and towns of India.
By Road : A good network of roads connects Kota to important cities in Rajasthan and neighboring cities/states such as Jaipur, Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Bundi.
