Kota – A Tete A Tete With The City

Earlier known as : Kotah

Specialty : State of Rajasthan’s third largest city.

Location : North -Western India, In South- Eastern Rajasthan

Founded in : Between 16th and 17th century A.D.

Transport : Unmetered taxis, auto-rickshaws ,tempos ,cycle rickshaws.

When to visit : Between the months of October and February but Especially October for the Dussera Fair.

Souvenir : Kota saris, pottery items, stone figurines, colorful bangles,earrings,embroidery on textiles. Dussehra festival.

Important places of interest : Rao Madho Singh Museum, Jag Mandir, Brij Vilas Palace, Gardens.

Where to stay : Lot of hotels and inns available around the city.

The Tale Of The City

In the 12th century A.D Rao Deva conquered and founded Bundi and Hadoti. In the 17th century AD The Mughal Emperor Jehangir was the ruler of Bundi. At this time, Rao Ratan Singh gave Kota to his son Madho Singh. In 1631, Kota became an independent state. Kota grew to be a symbol of Rajput valour and bravery and gradually came to be a pivot in the history of India. The Kota independent state was merged with Rajasthan after independence. It was a flourish centre of art and culture.

Kota - Down The Ages

From the time the city was formed, it started growing and flourishing. In 1264 AD  the Bhil Chieftain, Kotaya was defeated. The city grew more after this. Rao Madho Singh became the ruler of Bundi and was made ruler by the Mughal Emperor Jehangir. From there till now, down the ages, Kota has only grown and bloomed. Today Kota boasts of being the third largest city in Rajasthan and has the biggest fertilizer plant in Asia.

Travel Kitty

Kota, the fertilizer city is a much awaited spot for many tourists as it has really interesting surroundings and attractive things to add in the travel kitty. This city is an important industrial centre in Rajasthan. Kota boasts of an architectural history which would make it look like a queen in waiting. Beautiful palaces, well sculpted temples, Royal Museums form a part of this city and Kota in itself is a gift to itself by way of its steady progress. When one visits this place, one is struck by the variety of saris that are available here. Kota saris called kota doria are much sought after by the females, for their elegance, design and comfort. Besides this, there are also pottery items which have very finely carved intrinsic designs. There are stone figurines of Indian gods and goddesses, significant among them being the Shiv Ling, the symbol of the Indian God Lord Shiv. Kota is like other Rajasthan cities, vibrant in colors. Thus colorful bangles, earrings and other trinkets fill the travel kitty. Embroidered materials with typical Rajasthan work are very typical of Kota handicraft. The travel kitty thus gets full to the brim, and gives the tourist his worth.

Kota - Joie De Vivre In The City

The city on the banks of the Chambal river is one that has stood the test of times, and has witnessed history unfolding itself. As we step into the city, the determination with which it has faced the past, shows and this is the beauty of the city. The sheer magnificence of the forts and the Museums keeps you wondering how a beautiful monument show grace and resilience can at the same time. But that’s what Kota is all about. The joie de vivre here is to see the calmness of the surroundings, the activity of the people, the pride of the city and the trinkets that one gets to buy here. People look forward to viewing the Dussehra festival and the Kashavrai Patan in October .Thus Kota,the Dussehra festival city gives the tourist his worth and makes the tour a memorable and pleasurable one for him.

The Entertainment Factor

The one fact that Kota,the Kota Doria City, has become famous for is for its royal touch. Everything around has grandeur and magnificence. Kota has the greenery to break the monotony of the desert land of Rajasthan. Kota, the fertilizer city has become the intriguing tourist spot in the tour of cities as its quite secret docile look kindles the traveler’s mind. One can get to see the following in this city :

Palaces :

City Palace : This palace is in front of the Chambal river and is next to the Kota Barrage. This is a unique construction and has the best of historical past. It is said that all the treasury and courts, and arsenal, soldiers were here. This fort palace is accessed through a gate called the Elephant Gate or the Hathi Pol. This was built in the 17th century AD.

Jagmandir : This is a palace which leaves the tourist awestruck by its sheer work and architectural elegance. This was built in 1740 by one of the Maharanis of Kota. This is found in the middle of the Kishore Sagar Tank. It is a must watch for its structural beauty.

Museum :

Rao Madho Singh Museum : This is found in the area of the City Palace Fort. This is an impressionable construction and houses all the historical past under the same roof. It has a collection of weapons, old costumes and murals. Rajasthan is famous for murals and this museum showcases the finest of them. Besides, the museum also has a collection of animals, and a lot of trophies. There are portraits of rulers of earlier times that have been painted. All these are exhibited in the museum.

Brij Vilas Palace Museum : Also known as the Government Museum, this is found in a simple surrounding near Kishore Sagar. The tourist is struck by its simplicity and gets awestruck seeing the collection of stone idols here. There are also other things of interests like paintings, weapons and manuscripts of yesteryears. It is a must for travelers interested to know about the past and things related to past.

Gardens :

Gardens : Kota is famous for its superbly maintained gardens. The charm and beauty of the gardens is doubled with the serene background of the Chambal river. Thus this place is most preferred by all for picnics and get together. The crocodiles are sometimes seen in the rivers from this garden and this makes it more a need to be seen.

Chattar Vilas Garden : Yet another green beauty of Kota beckoning the visitors to refresh in its cool green lawns.

Thus Kota, the oasis in Rajasthan, is a perfect combination of memorable experiences and scenic beauty. The graceful Chambal river and the gallant museums and forts, give the city a metonymy of sorts and not many would want to miss the city in a tour and make it for all it is worth. The green expanse gives the tourist the necessary break from the monotony of the desert land. This city is thus a worthwhile visit in Rajasthan. As we leave we think, “As we go, into our minds does Kota creep.”