Best Time to Visit Kota

A long, long time ago Kota was a small part of the mighty kingdom of Bundi. In the 1600s, when Kota was formed, the city was mercilessly attacked by Jaipur kings, Marathi warlords and Mughal emperors. Koteya, a Bhil chieftain, was beheaded where today stands the Kota fort, and the city gets its name from that unfortunate soul. Kota’s rich history attracts a number of travellers and remains a quietly popular southern Rajasthan location.

The best time to visit Kota is during the winter. Since the city is on the east bank of the Chambal River, boat rides and bird-watching are hugely popular activities here. In the winter, there are a number of migratory birds that land up here and you can even spot a crocodile of two. The Chambal is a tributary of the Yamuna and is one of India’s least contaminated rivers. Eco-tourism is a huge draw here.

The Hada Rajputs who ruled Kota were extremely interested in patronizing the arts, and the ancient miniature paintings here are as beautiful as any you will find in Rajasthan. If you’re shopping in Kota, make sure you check out the world-famous kota doria saris. The paintings and murals of Kota, depicting hunting scenes and floral motifs, should not be skipped at any cost.

Kota is the kind of Rajasthani city that most tourists skip. You should land up here to experience its rich culture minus the tourist hustle.

1Winter in Kota (October to February)

October/November sees tourists trickling into Rajasthan and Kota experiences its fair share of travellers because of the lively Dussehra festival. Nowhere else in Rajasthan is Dussehra celebrated with so much aplomb.

25m tall effigies of Ravana, the demon king of Lanka, are set on fire as a celebration of Rama’s victory in the Ramayana. Kota is exuberantly transformed during the final days of Dussehra and travellers are treated to a variety of cultural performances. Don’t forget to try the local delicacies while you immerse yourself in this joyous Hindu festival.

Since the winter temperature fluctuates between 14°C and 30°C, humidity is at all-time low. This makes it the perfect time to go bird-watching in Kota. The Sorsan Grasslands, around 45kms from Kota, is the perfect day trip for birdwatchers. Keep your eye out for the Great Indian Bustard, warblers, drongos, rosy pastors, and common pochards, to name a few. A bird-watching trip between December and February will see you come away with a number of great sightings.

Nothing beats a winter boat ride (or three) on the Chambal River. Make sure you sign up for one that is early in the morning to view a large number of birds and even crocs!

2Monsoons in Kota (July to September)

Kota receives its fair share of rainfall, but the respite comes at a price. The humidity is through the roof and the air gets muggy quite regularly. Yes, you can find some great deals on hotels around this time, and visiting the famed Kota City Palace & Fort shouldn’t be too much of an issue, but boat rides and bird-watching depends upon the weather gods. While the temperature fluctuates between 25°C and 28°C, the humidity makes the three-month monsoon slightly uncomfortable.

3Summer in Kota (March to June)

Any local will tell you the best time to visit Kota is NOT in the summer. Since the heat is dry, humidity is low, creating a rather stuffy atmosphere. Added to that, average daytime temperature fluctuates between 32°C and 45°C. There’s no way you can have a good time in Kota during the summer.

The winter months are perfect for Kota visits. The weather is conducive to exploration and the grasslands around Kota are a birdwatcher’s paradise. The monsoon season is not too bad, either. You will get to witness the lush greenery that surrounds the banks of the Chambal.