Spectrum Tours » Rajasthan » Kota

The medieval town Kota lies along the eastern bank of the Chambal river.

The Hada chieftain, Rao Deva, had conquered the territory in the 14th century and founded Bundi and Hadoti. Later during the reign of Mughal emperor Jahangir at the beginning of the 17th century, Rao Ratan Singh, the ruler of Bundi, had given his son, Madho Singh, the smaller principality of Kota. In courses of time Kota came to be regarded as a hallmark of Rajput power and culture and today is known as the industrial capital of Rajasthan.

Places of Interest
» Chambal Garden : The lust green gardens at Amer Niwas offer boating facilities.

» Maharaja Madho Singh Museum : Situated in the old palace, it houses a rich collection of Rajput miniature paintings of Kota school, exquisite sculptures, frescoes and other antiques.

» Jag Mandir : An artifical lake Kishore Sagar was constructed in 1346 by Prince Dher Deh of Bundi. Jog Mandir was built in the middle of this lake with ripples of its blue water enchanting the serenity. Near the lake is Keshar Bagh famous for its royal cenotaphs.

» Haveli Of Devtaji : Haveli in the middle of the busy market is famous for its beautiful frescoses some rooms of this haveli are full of wall paintings.

» Kota Barrage : A part of their irrigation canal system on the chambal river this beautiful setting is ideal for outing and evening strolls.

» Other Palaces Worth Visitng : Kansua Temple with a four-faced Shiva Lingam, Bhitria Kund, Adhar Shila, Budh Singh Bafna haveli and yatayat park.

Excursions in Kota
» Bundi (36 km) : from Kota, is one of the unexplored cities with a rich historical wealth. Bundi and Kota were once a single principality ruled by Hada Chauhans after the death of Prithviraj Chauhan by Sultan Mohammed Ghori in 1193. The Chauhan nobles sought sanctuary in Mewar. Some young warriers ventured on their own, overpowered the Meena and Bhil tribals of the Chambal valley and established a kingdom of Hadoti or Hadavati. Later two branches of the hadas formed two separate States on either side of the Chambal - Kota and Bundi. Bundi nestles in a narrow valley, enclosed by strong walls and fortified by four gateways. In the center lies a lake. A medieval fortress stands sentinel - a mute witness to history and time. Bundi is famous for its intricate paintings and murals.

» Taragarh Or The Star Fort : This white fort on the top of thickly wooded hill has an enormous tank which once supplied the palace with water.

» The Palace : It was started by Maharao Balwant Singh and is considered to be one of the finest examples of Rajput architecture. Intricately carved bracket pillars and balconies land sculpted elephants are used liberally.

» Nawal Sagar : Ian an artificial lake broken up by islets. A temples of varuna stands in the middle.

» Raniji Ki Baori : A stepped well outside the old city walls has a high arched gate, ornated with excellent carvings on its pillars. The well has a depth of 46 meters and was built by a Rani.

» Sikh Mahal : A summer palace built on Sukh Sagar Lake, it is said that an underground tunnel runs from Sukh Mahal to old palace.

» Phool Sagar : A palace built in the 20th century in contemporary style.

» Sikar Bagh : Royal hunting lodge

» Shar Bagh : These are old well-maintained gardens where cenotaphs of the kings and queens of Bundi stand in all their architectural splendor.

» Eighty Four Pillared Cenotaph This remarkably constructed memorial erected by Rao Anirudh has 84 pillars in this single centoaph along with a Shiva - Linga.

» Jhalwar (86 Km) The princely State of the Jhalas, Jhalwar is located 86 km from Kota. Thelandof Jhalas was created in 1838 AD by separating this area from Kota State by the British. Besides Zallim Singh I, various other enlightened rulers contributed to make Jhalwar a culturally rich State. Not only the city, but the whole district and areas around Jhalwar, are a treasure house of pre-historic cave paintings, formidable forts, forests and exotic wildlife. Jhalwar boasts of rich historic as well as natural wealth.

» Jhalwar Fort (Garh Palace) : In the center of the town the fort now houses the Collectorate and other district offices. The Janana Khas of the fort has some exquisite paintings on walls and mirrors.

» Government Museum : One of the oldest museum of Rajasthan, it was established in 1915. Paintings, rare manuscripts, idols and exquisite statues of Lakshminarayan, Vishnu, Krishna, Ardnarishvar Natraj and Trimurti are specially noteworthy.

» Bhawani Natya Shala : An interesting building constructed in 1921 where Parsi theatre was performed.

How To Reach
Air: Jodhpur is connected by air with Delhi, Mumbai, Udaipur
Rail:Jodhpur is connected by rail with major cities of the state.
Road: Jodhpur is connected by road with all major towns and cities of Rajasthan

For tourism details contact
RTDC, Jodhpur Division, Regional Tourist Office, RTDC Hotel Ghoomar.

Hotel Accommodation

• Welcomegroup Umaid Bhwan Palace
• Ratanda Polo Palace
• Hotel Ajit Bhawan
• Hotel Karni Bhawan
• Hotel Adarsh Niwas
• RTDC Hotel Ghoomar
• Arun Hotel
• Hotel Amenity Intercontinental