Kota, Rajasthani Travel Guide: History, Why Should You Visit Kota, Popular Tourist Places to Visit in Kota, How to Reach (2024)

Are you planning a fun getaway in India? If yes, then you are surely in for a great time. The country with its numerous sights, diverse cultures, rich history, abundant natural beauty and plethora of sightseeing attractions will surely make your vacation a memorable one. Though there are plenty of nice places to visit throughout the country but if you are someone who wishes their fun getaway to be filled with elements like natural beauty, vibrant culture, rich heritage, royal palaces, spiritual temples and historic monuments, then we have found the perfect state for you to visit. Rajasthan is one of the Indian states which is well – known throughout the country for its colorful culture, ethnic traditions, grand forts and palaces. Image Source

There are many exciting tourist attractions in the state of Rajasthan and each one has its own charm. Located alongside the banks of the scenic river Chambal, the only perennial river in the state of Rajasthan, Kota is not only the third most populous city of the state but is also considered as one of the top tourist places to visit in Rajasthan. If the beautiful city of Kota makes you curious and you wish to know more about it, then you have arrived at just the right place. In this Kota travel guide, we have listed down some of the important information about the Kota city so that you have an enhanced overall experience. Continue reading to know more!

History of Kota, Rajasthan

When talking about the city of Kota, apart from its development as an industrial, textile and coaching hub, another thing which the city boasts of is its history. One can see glimpses of its rich history almost everywhere throughout the city, in its palaces, flash of nature, numerous gardens and many more attractions. The history of Kota city dates back to the 12^th century AD in the pages of history when the territory was conquered by Rao Deva, a Chauhan Rajput chieftain belonging to the Hada clan and founded Bundi and Hadoti. Once a part of the Rajput kingdom of Bundi, the independent Rajput state of Kota was carved out of Bundi in 1631. Since then, the city of Kota has emerged as a hallmark of the Rajput culture and gallantry. Though soon after becoming an independent Rajput state in 1631, the place progressed rapidly in terms of area, revenue and power. However, when it comes to the history of the kingdom of Kota, then it has been quite turbulent. The place was raided by a plenty of Mughal rulers, Maharajas of Jaipur and even the Maratha leaders. The city of Kota is also well-known for its architectural splendour which can be very well seen in its beautiful palaces, museums and temples.

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Why Should You Visit Kota, Rajasthan?

Serving as the administrative headquarters for the Kota district and Kota division, Kota is well known as a major coaching hub of India. However, that does not mean that the city of Kota is only limited as a major coaching hub of the country for competitive examination preparations. There are many more features and factors which make Kota a top tourist attraction to visit in Rajasthan. Some of the reasons why you should visit this city are:

1. Education City of India: It is pretty much likely that you may have often heard the name of Kota come up when the topic of discussion is about coaching for top entrance exams like IIT- JEE and medical entrance preparation. The city houses a plenty of engineering and medical coaching institutes within its premises. Every year more than four lakh students visit Kota and live there to study hard for these entrance exams. Witnessing such an influx of students every year, the city of Kota has earned itself the name of Education City of India and is often referred as the Coaching Capital of India.
2. Industrial Hub: You may not be aware but recently the city of Kota has witnessed dramatic progress and development. In fact, the city is now considered as the second most livable city in the state of Rajasthan after the capital city, Jaipur. Moreover, boasting of housing a plenty of power plants in and around its premises, the city is gradually becoming a significant industrial hub.
3. Precious Kota Stone: The city of Kota is also well-known throughout the country for being the origin of the Kota stone. It is a sturdy and dark green colored eponymous stone which comes from the city of Kota and is traded all over the country for a variety of building projects.
4. Rich Fabric Heritage: Contributing significantly to the rich fabric heritage of the country with its trademark Kota Doriya or Kota thread fabric, many travellers visit the city, especially for its wonderful fabrics. Kota doriya is immensely popular for its delicate and translucent thread weaving pattern. Thus, the textile industry is another exclusive feature of Kota.
5. Other Exclusive Features: Some other factors which make Kota a popular tourist place in Rajasthan are its distinctive style of paintings, informative museums, grand palaces, gold jewellery and pretty sarees. A lot of local people as well as travellers visit the river shores in Kota for spotting crocodiles, bird watching, boat riding and relaxation in general. The city is also popular for being a prime place of worship. It is owing to these factors, that apart from educational reasons, the city of Kota is also frequented by a plethora of travellers from all over the country for tourism, sightseeing and exploration purposes.

Popular Tourist Places to Visit in Kota, Rajasthan

The Kota city is a home to a diverse range of sightseeing attractions including beautiful gardens, grand palaces, historic monuments and a lot more. Some of the top places to visit in Kota, Rajasthan are:

1. Seven Wonders Park: Does your bucket list include a wish of seeing all of the seven wonders across the globe but you haven’t been able to fulfil it? If your answer is yes, then consider it done because Seven Wonders Park in Kota is one amazing place in Kota which will allow you to witness all of them in a single go. Comprising miniature versions of all the seven wonders of the world including Taj Mahal, Eiffel Tower, Leaning Tower, Great Pyramid, Statue of Liberty, Colosseum and so on, this park is a project worth 20 crores taken by the Urban Development department. You would be surprised to know that in order to complete this project more than 150 workers have worked hard and brought these amazing wonders to life. Since its establishment, this park has become a prominent tourist spot to visit in Kota, Rajasthan. Built on the banks of the scenic Kishore Sagar lake, the setting is pretty picturesque. Attracting thousands of visitors from all over the world, this park also serves as a lovely picnic spot to visit with friends and family.
   
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   1. Highlights of the Place: Miniature versions of seven wonders of the world, scenic setting
   2. Things You Can Do Here: Photography, see the seven wonders of the world, enjoy a small picnic, eat delicious food at the food stalls, enjoy a leisure stroll
   3. Best Time To Visit: For the best experience, it is recommended to visit the park during the evening hours.
   4. Opening Hours: The park is open from 4.30 PM till 10 PM. 
2. Kota Barrage: It is the fourth construction in the famous Chambal Valley Project built over the scenic river Chambal. It was built with the aim to store the waters stored by the three dams of the Gandhi Sagar Dam project, Rana Pratap Sagar Dam and Jawahar Sagar Dam, and to then channelize this stored water in the dry areas of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan via canals for irrigation purposes. At present, this barrage alone helps around 20,000 acres of land for agriculture. It is a long barrage with about 19 gates and it forms a bridge over the river Chambal in Kota which allows people to gather and enjoy watching mesmerising views of the frothy white water of the river being thrust out in full force. Despite its initial aim, the place has gradually evolved into a popular tourist place to visit in Kota, Rajasthan owing to its scenic views. Hearing the roars of the water and watching the beautiful views, makes it a frequent spot among local people as well as travellers.
   
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   1. Highlights of the Place: Roaring sounds of the water, scenic views
   2. Things You Can Do Here: Hear the sounds of water, feel the vibration of the bridge, witness beautiful views of the frothy white water of the river, feel the pleasant breeze
   3. Best Time To Visit: It is during the monsoon season, when the lock gates of the Kota barrage are opened and it creates a pretty mesmerising view with the raging and gushing water.
   4. Opening Hours: There are no specific opening hours of Kota Barrage. It is open for all 24 hours, so you visit it anytime.

What is the Best Time To Visit Kota, Rajasthan?

The city of Kota experiences a semi-arid climate with usually high temperatures throughout the course of the year. Though one can visit the place anytime but if you are looking for the best experience, then it is highly recommended that you plan your trip in between the months of October and March. The summer season in Kota is pretty long and the climate is hot and dry. The mild winters begin from late November and last till late February. During this period, the temperatures range between 26.7 degrees Celsius to 12 degrees Celsius. Hence, it is considered as the best time to explore the city of Kota entirely.

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How To Reach Kota, Rajasthan?

If you are worried about, facing difficulty in reaching this beautiful city, then you are actually worrying for nothing. Kota is well-connected by almost all means of transports and is easily accessible from many nearby cities as well. You can reach this popular tourist place in Rajasthan:

1. By Air: The nearest airport to reach Kota is the Jaipur International Airport which is located at a distance of about 179 km from Kota. The next nearest airport is the Sanganer Airport which is located in Jaipur and is approximately 245 km away from the heart of the city of Kota. Once you reach the airport, you can easily take a cab or hire a taxi to reach your destination.
2. By Rail: When it comes to railways, the city of Kota is well connected on the main rail route between Mumbai and Delhi via Sawai Madhopur. There are plenty of express trains, Rajdhani trains and some super – fast trains that travel from major cities such as Delhi and Mumbai to Kota on a regular basis. The city of Kota is also well – connected by a super – fast train that travels from Jaipur to Mumbai central daily.
3. By Road: Kota is easily accessible via roads as well. The connectivity of roads is very good from most of the nearby cities and states. There are plenty of express as well as deluxe buses which run from Jaipur via Devli, Bundi and Tonk to Kota on regular intervals. The journey time is approximately 5 hours. Other than that, the local transport options are auto rickshaws and cycle rickshaws.

Exhibiting the grandeur of the foregone era, sightseeing and exploring Kota is every traveller’s dream come true, especially if you are a history buff.

FAQ’s For Tourist Visiting Kota

Q1. How Is The Weather In Kota During Monsoon?

Ans. Through the monsoon season brings a comparative relief in temperatures but the season brings along higher humidity and frequent torrential showers.

Q2. Who Should Visit Kota?

Ans. Kota is a perfect vacation destination for history buffs, adventurers as well as coaching students.

Q3. Which is The Popular Local Food Of Kota?

Ans. Dal Bati Churma is one of the most popular dishes to try in Kota.