Kota Darshan

Kota Darshan is the third largest city in the state of Rajasthan and is one of the popular tourist destinations. Situated on the banks of the Chambal River, the city of Kota is famous for its distinctive style of paintings, palaces, museums, and places of worship. The city is known for gold jewellery, Doria sarees, silk sarees and the famous Kota stone. 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. The kingdom of Kota had a turbulent history as it was raided by various Mughal rulers, Maharajas of Jaipur and even the Maratha warlords. The city of Kota is well known all over the world for its architectural splendour comprising beautiful palaces, temples and museums which exhibit the grandeur of the foregone era.

History of Kota
In the 12th century the Hada chieftain, Rao Deva, conquered the territory and founded Hadoti and Bundi. During the rule of Mughal Emperor Jahangir afterwards, in the early 17th century the ruler of Bundi, Rao Ratan Singh, gave his son, Madho Singh, the smaller principality of Kota. Kota is considered as a hallmark of Rajput culture and power in the course of time. Kota was a small independent state in the past which is enclosed by more powerful neighbours. Kota prospered in the 19th century under the guidance of the ruler Zalim Singh. In 1894 the British reunited the territory and imposed stability.

Tourist Attraction in Kota
Important tourist attractions in Kota are Umaid Bhawan Palace and Kota Fort. Umaid Bhawan Palace was constructed for Maharao Umaid Singh II in 1904. It was designed by Sir Samuel Swinton Jacob in support of Indian designers. Interior of the palace has a banquet hall, garden and a drawing room. Exterior is buff–coloured stone with a stucco finish and include much typical Rajput detail. Umaid Bhawan Palace has now been changed into a heritage hotel. Kota fort is an example of organic growth and there is no overall plan to the development of the area within the walls.
It was constructed from the year 1625 onwards. Bhim Mahal – Bhim Mahal is a large Durbar Hall which is enclosed with Rajput miniatures documenting the towns periods of expansion and recording Kota’s legends.

Jag Mandir
The charming palace Jag Mandir is located in the lovely artificial lake of Kishore Sagar. This red-sandstone palace with romantic surroundings attracts many a visitor who come here to spend some quality time. Jag Mandir offers an opportunity to enjoy boating on the azure waters of the lake. Located near Jag Mandir is a beautiful garden, Keshar Bagh, which is known for its royal cenotaphs.

Maharao Madho Singh Museum
A visit to the museum will give you an opportunity to see the rare and rich collection of Rajput miniature paintings of the Kota school, exquisite sculptures, frescoes and armoury. Some of the important possessions of the then Kota rulers are also displayed in the museum.

Umed Bhawan Palace
Showcasing the architectural heritage of Rajasthan, Umed Bhawan Palace was once the royal residence of� the erstwhile Maharaja of Kota. The palace was built by Maharaja Umed Singh II who ruled over Kota in the early 19th century. Later the palace was converted into a luxurious heritage hotel for tourism purposes. The Rajput and Victorian architecture were flawlessly combined together to give the palace a stunning look.

Kota Doris Saris
Famous for their beauty, elegance and wonderful designs, Kota Doris Saris is the most talked about attraction of Kota.�Kota Doria is a fine quality cotton and silk yarn woven in the form of a graph. Handwoven printed Kota saris are very graceful and durable. There are several centres in Kota, which manufacture amazing Kota Doris Saris.

Kota Paintings
Kota miniature paintings are famous for their beautiful style. The paintings are incredibly beautiful and are mostly based on hunting scenes. The Kota paintings are quite popular with tourists. Explore the markets of Kota and take back home some of the�paintings, which will surely add a new flavour to your house.

How to Reach Kota
Although lying off the beaten track, Kota is an interesting destination in Rajasthan. With its impressive forts, opulent palaces and splendid temples Kota reminds you of its past glory. The limpid flowing river Chambal lends the place a rare beauty.

By Air :
In order to arrive at Kota by Air the tourists can avail of such services from the city's airport itself. The airport of Kota has been established at a distance of about ten km from the place and provides regular air services. The Kota airport is domestic in nature and hence links all the national locations with the city. Airlines services are also offered from Jaipur to reach Kota. Jaipur airport is situated at a distance of 242 km from Kota city in Rajasthan. This Jaipur airport has air links with various prominent cities of India. Those who like to travel to destinations like Udaipur, Mumbai and Delhi are often found using the Jaipur air travel services.

By Road :
Taking a tour of Kota by Road is one of the most interesting sojourns. The roads of Kota have wide-reaching network with the help of which the place is linked to major spots of Rajasthan. The infrastructural framework of roads in Kota comprises of both concrete and kachcha types. While the metallic roads are mostly found in the urban pockets of Kota, the kachcha roads criss-cross the rural zones of the city. Traveling to Kota by road is very comfortable and convenient. This is due to the fact that the roads of Kota are accessible to all other parts of Rajasthan state in India. Apart from connecting the internal locations of Kota, the roads of the place also link the city with some notable destinations of the state and the country. People who wish to visit places such as Bundi, Ahmadabad, Jaipur, Mumbai and Delhi from Kota mostly uses the road transportation services

By Train :
Reaching Kota by Train is counted as a pleasant experience for those who visit this historically rich and industrially prosperous city of Rajasthan. The north side of the Kota city possesses the railhead. The railway station of Kota in Rajasthan efficiently connects the place to other adjoining destinations. The railway tracks of Kota comes under the Delhi-Mumbai path. The trains available from the Kota railway station are scheduled beforehand and are quite regular in nature. People who come from other parts of the country, frequently use the rail services of Kota.