Kota, a city situated in Rajasthan, is not only famous for its educational institutions but is also famous for its historical, cultural and natural heritage. Situated on the banks of the Chambal River, this beautiful city was once a part of the Bundi princely state and today it is one of the major urban tourist centers of Rajasthan. Kota city is also known as the “city of education”, but this city is more famous for its tourist places than this. In this travel blog, we will highlight the major tourist places, cultural heritage, food and travel tips of this city.
Historical glimpse of Kota
The history of Kota city is linked to the 13th century, later it was separated from the Bundi state and established as an independent state. The kings of Kota built many palaces, forts and gardens here which still enhance its glory. With time, Kota became an industrial and educational center and today Kota is also called the “city of education”. But its historical heritage is still as vibrant today.
Major places to visit in Kota
1. Garadia Mahadev Temple
24 km from Kota, there is a valley at a height of about 500 feet. Chambal river flows through it. Garadia Mahadev Temple is situated on a rock. To reach the Shiva temple, you may have to walk some distance. One can stay in the temple only till 5:30 pm. After that there is neither any place to stay nor any shelter, you have to leave from there. It would be better to carry water and food with you, because there is no facility of food and water available there.
2. Garh Palace (Kota Garh Palace)
Garh Palace, also known as City Palace or Kota Garh, is a historic fort and palace that reflects the grandeur of the royal family. It has been the residence of the rulers of Kota since the 13th century. The Rao Madho Singh Museum is located inside the palace, which also houses a vast collection of weapons, paintings, costumes, manuscripts and other artifacts.
3. Chambal River Front, Kota (Ticket Price: 200 INR)
The Chambal River Front is one of the most spectacular attractions of Rajasthan designed to showcase the cultural heritage and natural beauty of Rajasthan and monuments from many countries. Spread across both banks of the Chambal River, this vibrant promenade is adorned with beautifully designed ghats, lush gardens and magnificent, very beautiful and mythological Shiva temples, which glow with colorful lights at night. While on one side there are forts depicting Rajasthan, Rajasthan’s cultural heritage and monuments from many countries, on the other side there is a wonderful view of the statue and palaces depicting the courage of Maharana Pratap and the gardens which glow with colorful lights, which mesmerize the visitors with their dazzling lights and rhythmic water displays. The main attraction of the riverfront is the mesmerizing musical fountain and laser show that mesmerizes the visitors with its dazzling lights and rhythmic water displays.
Lots of artistic sculptures, architecture and open-air spaces all around make it an ideal place for families, couples and solo travelers as well as for photography. The riverfront of Chambal river also offers a mesmerizing view of the sunset by taking a boat ride along its banks, while cultural programs and light shows are also organized in the evenings for an unforgettable experience.
Note: If you are also planning to visit Chambal River Front then first of all you should buy a ticket and cover Chambal River Front West Side, after that you should cover East Side because there is nothing much to visit on West Side whereas on East Side you will find Laser Show, Chambal Aarti and many other activities which all happen on Chambal River Front East Side only, so whenever you go, start your trip from West Side only.
4. Seven Wonders Park (Kota Ke Sajube)
Seven Wonders Park is built on the banks of Chambal River where replicas of all the seven wonders of the world have been made at one place which are as follows:-
Taj Mahal, Eiffel Tower, Egyptian Pyramids, Statue of Liberty etc. It looks very beautiful especially in the evening and is a paradise for photography lovers. This park is not only very popular among tourists but has also become a favorite place for filmmakers and selfie lovers. A nominal fee of Rs 20 for adults and Rs 10 for children has been fixed for entry into the park.
5. Jag Mandir (Kishore Sagar Lake & Jag Mandir)
Situated in the middle of the Kishore Sagar Lake, the beautiful red stone monument called Jag Mandir is a tourist attraction. There is also a boating facility for the temple, which makes reaching the temple even more thrilling. Tourists can see the reflection of the palace on the Keshar Lake.
6. Kota Barrage
Kota Barrage, located in this city of Rajasthan, is a dam built on the Chambal River which is very important for the canal system. This dam was built in 1960 for irrigation, power generation and flood control. This Barrage Dam is a part of the Chambal Valley Projects, which includes Gandhi Sagar Dam, Rana Pratap Sagar Dam and Jawahar Sagar Dam. When this dam is completely filled during the rainy season, a wonderful view of water falling from its gates is seen.
7. Gaumukh Waterfall
Gaumukh Waterfall near Garh Palace is a popular tourist destination located in the Aravalli range. This place is a natural spring which flows holy water from the rocks throughout the year. Water keeps flowing in Gaumukh Waterfall throughout the year, and during the rainy season its flow becomes even faster. Which turns into a must-see place for tourists and Kota residents.
Kota – Coaching Hub of India
This city of Rajasthan is also called the “Coaching City” of modern India. Lakhs of students from all over the country come here to prepare for big exams like NEET, IIT-JEE. All the coaching institutes here like Allen, Resonance, Vibrant, Career Point etc. have made it a huge brand in the field of education. However, the stressful education system here and incidents of suicide by students have also made it quite famous.
Food in Kota
When it comes to food, Kota in Rajasthan is also a great place to experience the flavours. Here are some special dishes:
Kota Kachori: Delicious and spicy kachori filled with onions, which has now become a hallmark of this place.
Dal Baati Churma: Traditional Rajasthani food, which every tourist must taste.
Gatta ki Sabzi, Ker Sangri, Bajra ki Roti – are an important part of the traditional thali of villages and are good for both taste and health.
Kachori or Samosa paired with a cold drink – this is now becoming very popular among the students here.
Famous Markets of Kota and What to Buy
Kota city of Rajasthan is very famous for Kota Doriya Saree. This saree is light weight and is considered very good for summers. Apart from this, you can also buy handicrafts, Rajasthani shoes, and decorative items from local haats and markets here.
Major markets: City Mall, Bajaj Khala, Ghantaghar Market, Cantonment Market etc.
Important information related to visiting Kota
Best time to visit:
The best time to visit Kota is between October to March. During this time, the weather here is very pleasant and the temperature remains between 12 to 27 degrees Celsius. In summer, the temperature here becomes very high, which makes traveling a bit difficult.
How to reach Kota:
By Rail:
Kota Railway Station is a major station of West Central Railway. Which is connected to all major cities Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Bhopal etc. by direct trains.
By Road:
Kota is very well connected by national highways. You can also go to Kota by bus from all the cities.
By Air:
Currently there is no airport in Kota, currently the nearest airport is Jaipur or Udaipur.
More places to visit near Kota
Bundi City:
Located around 35 km from Kota, this city is famous for its magnificent forts and stepwells. For more information, see the next blog Bundi Blog.
Jhalawar:
This place is also located around 90 km from Kota, where you can visit Gagron Fort and royal palaces. For more information, see the next blog Jhalawar Blog.
Ranthambhore National Park:
If you are a wildlife lover then this place is ideal for you, where you can see tigers frolicking. For more information, see the next blog Ranthambore National Park Blog.
Conclusion
The city of Kota is a unique amalgamation of education and modernity, but it is not limited to coaching institutes only. It also has a rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, delicious food and historical places which will make your trip even more experiential. This trip to Kota will introduce you to a new and untouched side of Rajasthan.
