Best Tourist Season (October – February)
Airport: Nearest Airport is Jaipur 245 km
Railway: Kota is linked by rail with Ahmedabad, Delhi, Bharatpur, Indore, Jaipur, Mumbai and Sawai Madhopur
Road: Ajmer 206 km, Bhilwara 165 km, Bijapur 170 km, Bundi 38 km, Chittaurgarh 190 km, Delhi 454 km, Jaipur 245 km, Jodhpur 335, Pushkar 220 km, Ranthambhore 135 km (via Indragarh), Udaipur 327 km
Kota – the third largest city in the Rajasthan State, formerly known as Kotah.
Kota is situated on the banks of Chambal river, a fascinating mixture of medieval grandeur and modern industrialization. An impressive fort stands like a sentinel over the present day Chambal Valley Project with its many dams – Kota Barrage, Gandhi Sagar, Rana Pratap Sagar and Jawahar Sagar.
The history of Kota dates back to the 12th century when Rao Deva conquered the territory and founded Hadoti. The independent Rajput state of Kota was carved out of Bundi in 1631.
Kota is the trade centre for an area in which cotton, millet, wheat, coriander and oilseeds are grown. Industries include cotton and oilseed milling, textile weaving, distilling, dairying and manufacturing of metal handcrafts. Kota – one of the major industrial hubs in northern India, with many prominent chemical and engineering companies based here.
Kota – famous for its distinctive style of painting. Also, Kota is well known for its saris, stone products and a vibrant education sector.
Geography
Kota – located along the eastern bank of the Chambal River in the Southern part of Rajasthan State.
Kota located at 25.18° N 75.83° E
Average elevation 271 mtrs (889 ft)
The district is bound on the north and north west by Sawai Madhopur, Tonk and Bundi districts. The Chambal River separates these districts from Kota district, forming the natural boundary.
Area
Kota is 193.58 sq km (3.63 per cent of Rajasthan State)
Climate
Kota – the climate of the city is of the tropical type due to the proximity to the Tropic of Cancer and is subject to extremes of heat during summer, and has mildly could winters. Bikaner is situated in the middle of the Thar Desert with very little rainfall and extreme temperatures.
Summer maximum of 43°C and minimum 30°C
Winters maximum 31°C and minimum 12°C
Rainfall 886 mm (annual)
Demographics
Population 1,568,525 (as of 2001 India census)
Males 53%
Females 47%
Kota has an average literacy rate of 70%, higher than the national average of 59.5%.
Male literacy is 78%, and female literacy is 62%.
In Kota, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.
Sightseeing in Kota
Garh Palace: The main tourist attraction of Kota is ‘Garh’. The city palace was founded in the beginning of 1264 C.E. It is one of the best places to visit Kota due to its marvellous architectural beauty of this place. This large complex also known as the City Palace, was built in a predominantly Rajput style of architecture. This palace has a sprawling complex of suites and apartments built in different times by different rulers of the Rajput dynasty.
Chambal Garden: The Chambal Garden is the most beautiful picnic spots of Kota, located on the bank of Chambal River. Tourists can enjoy exquisite greenery, wonderful pond situated just in the middle of the greenery and the pond is full of crocodiles. There are many alligators (Gharials) found in this murky pong which is an attraction for tourist visiting Chambal Garden.
Godawari Dham: A Hanuman Temple just at a walking distance from Chambal Garden is known as Godawari Dham. Godawari Dham is a beautiful shrine, made entirely of white marble. The towers of the temple are quite high and impressive. There is a huge Mable swan built at the top of the entrance gate.
Maharao Madho Singh Museum: Maharao Madho Singh Museum is one of the best museum in Rajasthan State, located in old magnificent palace in Kota.
The main attraction of Maharao Madho Singh Museum, Kota is the huge collection of Rajput miniature paintings belonging to the Kota School of Art. This museum was a palace and the rulers of Kota used to live and rule Kota. Name of this Maharao Madho Singh Museum was derived from the son of the ruler of Bundi, who was declared as the first ruler of Kota by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir.
The historical Kota city was once a part of the former Rajput kingdom of Bundi.
The Government Museum: Kota Government Museum is located in Brij Vilas Palace, Kota. This Kota government museum portrays the rich cultural heritage of the Rajasthan State.
Kota occupies an eminent place in the history of Rajasthan, it was a part of the Rajput kingdom of Bundi, which was later declared an independent state in 1624, when Mughal emperor Jahangir defeated its rulers. The beautiful temples, museums and palaces reflects the rich cultural heritage of Kota city. Some of the most popular palaces for tourists are RaoMadho Singh Museum, Chambal Gardens, Jagmandir Palace, City Fort and Palace Haveli of Dewtaji etc.
Now Kota is the commercial capital of the Rajasthan State. This city is gifted with natural beauty like waterfalls, sand dunes and Palaces and forts.
The wonderful collection of Kota Government Museum comprises of sculptures, rare coins and manuscripts, selection of Hadoti sculpture. The sculptures brought from Baroli is the most remarkable among all the exhibits in Kota Museum.
Jag Mandir: A beautiful red stone monument called Jag Mandir located in the middle of Kishore Sagar Lake. This Jag Mandir was built by one of the queens of Kota in 1740 and the place used to serve as a pleasure palace for the erstwhile kings.
Tourists can enjoy boat rides in the Kishore Sagar Lake to visit Jag Mandir and enjoy panoramic view of the Palace from the lake. The Kesar Bagh is situated near the Jag Mandir Palace is well known for its royal cenotaphs.
Haveli of Devtaji: The Haveli of Devtaji is not merely a splendid palace but its interesting for its major historical significance.
The Haveli of Devtaji in Kota stands as a witness to the rich Rajput past in this region, like other enigmatic palatial buildings in Rajasthan State. The beauty of this Haveli lies mainly in the fantastic murals. One of the major characteristic features of the Rajput palaces is the presence of large rooms and all the rooms of this Haveli are decorated with astounding paintings. All these paintings in the Haveli of Devtaji attracts tourist and gives glimpse of the ancient glory of the brave Rajput rulers.
Kota Barrage: This is a popular spot especially when the floodgates are open to allow extra water to flow off. This dam is a part of the irrigation canal system on the Chambal River.
Jawahar Sagar Dam: This is a part of the chain of dams constructed in 1972 under the Chambal Valley Project.
Jawahar Sagar Dam produces a total power of 60 MW from the 3 units of 33 MW each, situated at a short distance of 29 km upstream and 26 km downstream from Kota City and Rana Pratap Sagar Dam respectively. Apart from electricity, Jawahar Sagar Dam releases excess water during draught and also the excess water is used for agricultural and drinking purpose by locals of Kota and nearby area.
Jawahar Sagar Dam is 45 mtr high and spread over 393 mtr and has catchment area of 27,195 km which provides relief to Kota during severe water shortage. Tourist can enjoy boating in the fast flowing water of Jawahar Sagar Dam and the dam is also a major source for Pisciculture.
Seven Wonder Park: This Seven Wonder Park houses the famous wonders of the world in miniature form, situated in Ballabh Bari, bordering Sarovar. In a single visit to this park will give you a glimpse of the Seven Wonders of the World. Replica tourist can see in this park ……..
1. Taj Mahal, 2. Great Pyramid of Giza, 3. Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer, 4. Eiffel Tower of Paris, 5. Leaning Tower of Pisa, 6. New York’s Statue of Liberty, 7. Rome’s Colosseum.
Khade Ganesh Ji Temple: The Ganesh Temple is located in the southern part of Kota, Rajasthan. This is the only temple in India that has a standing idol of Ganesh – the elephant god, that makes it unique. It is believed to be around 600 years old and thousands of pilgrims visit this Ganesh Temple every year.
Garadia Mahadev Temple: Garadia Mahadev Temple is a noted shrine of Kota, situated on Dabi Road (NH 76) near Chambal River. This Garadia Mahadev Temple shrine can be reached by descending a few steps where you can pay your respects to Lord Shiva. One can get a grand view of River Chambal and incredible view of the surrounding wilderness. This place is remote and isolated from regular tourist hotspot but is worth the journey you must make. This place is a popular picnic destination.
Mathuradheesh Mandir: The Mathuradheesh Mandir in Kota is a Vallabh sect temple in Rampura, Kota, Rajasthan. The idol of Lord Krishna housed in this temple was brought from the Karnaval village (near Mathura) and placed in the haveli of Dewan Dwarka Das. This Mathuradheesh Temple is now a major attraction for devotees of Lord Krishna. The festivals of Janmashtami (Birthday of Lord Krishna), Nand Mahotsav, Annakoota and Holi are celebrated with great enthusiasm in this temple.
Excursions from Kota:
Alnia Dam: The Alnia Dam is one of the main attractions of Kota which is 26 km from Kota. It is renowned for the beautiful rock paintings and carving dating back to the Upper Palaeolithic period (about 40,000 years ago). Surprisingly the rock paintings are in good condition and depict socio-cultural scenes. Also Alnia Dam is a birdwatcher’s paradise and you can easily spend the good part of your day.
Gaiparnath Temple and Waterfall: This Gaiparnath Mahadev Temple and waterfall is one of the most visited tourist destination and a picnic spot in Kota, Rajasthan just 20 km away. This place is one of the gems that are hard to find in Rajasthan – the desert state of India, because of its beautiful natural water fall. The peasant sound of gushing water from the Gaiparnath waterfall set against a picturesque canvas of a green landscape make ti an idyllic and beautiful spot to visit for all tourists.
Dad Devi Temple: Dad Devi Temple is a unique 10th century shrine dedicated to a fierce aspect of Durga Devi, is situated 18 km from Kota in Ummed Ganj. This temple of the deity of the royal household of Kota is surrounded by thick forests and is a n ideal place to spend some time in quiet contemplation. The deity worshipped in this temple is Dad Devi who has been named so because of her protruding molar teeth and an incarnation of Goddess Durga. Some of the devotees believe that she is Rakta Dantika Devi (the goddess with Blood-red teeth) who finds a mention in the Shakta and Tantric scriptures like Shri Devi Mahatmayam. The idol of Dad Devi Mata is seated on a lion and has ten arms.
Abheda Mahal: Abheda Mahal is resting in the vicinity of the Chambal River in Kota, Rajasthan. This historical palace is just 8 km from Kota and was built by Ummed Maharaj. This medieval palace was the recreation spot of the rulers of Kota, where they come to enjoy the wildlife and natural beauty of the region. This beautiful Abheda Mahal has many stories associated with its development. Inside the Abheda Mahal, there is a pond which is adorned by lotus flowers and turtles. Earlier the pond also had crocodiles which were treated as pets.
Charan Chauki: On the way to Dad Devi, at 15 km from Kota city, is a Charan Chauki – the legendary spot where Lord Krishna is said to have rested for a brief moment while travelling Mathura to Dwarka thousands years back in Dwapara Yuga. Lord Krishna footprints got engraved at this place for posterity and are worshipped till date.
Kansua Temple or Karneshwar Temple: Kansua Temple is one of the oldest and most beautiful temples of Kota, Rajasthan. Karneshwar Temple is another name of this Temple, and famous for its four headed Shivlinga which looks unique and beautiful. This temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and has a small pond within its premises. There is a stone inscription dating back to 738 AD that says, it was built by Raja Shivgana Maurya but as per local legend, the temple was built by the Pandavas during their exile.
Wildlife around Kota
Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary: Just 50 km from Kota city, there is Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary which was a prominent hunting ground for the kings of this region who engaged in the royal game of hunting the tigers and deer.
The name Darrah is interpreted as the ‘pass’ in the local language, as the forest was used by several warring dynasties as a pass to travel to the state of Madhya Pradesh. Also the Marathas, Rajputs and the British utilised the opportune position of this forest to seek asylum during the war.
The Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary presently stretches over 250 square km of land and is home to the ferocious animals life the sambhars, panthers, leopards, bears and wild boars. Also tourist can see spotted deer and antelopes.
Mukundara Tiger Reserve: This Tiger Reserve is just 40 km from Kota city and tigers will be related from Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve so as to provide optimum space to big cats in future. Mukundara Tiger Reserve had a core area of 417 sq km and a buffer zone covering 342.82 sq km.
