Things To Do in Kota— Let the Jewel of the Chambal Enamour You in 2019

The city that is presently Kota was once part of the kingdom of Bundi. It was only in the 1600s that Kota was carved out of Bundi and witnessed a number of attacks from Marathi warlords, Mughal emperors and Jaipur maharajas. The city gets its name from Koteya, a Bhil chieftain, whose untimely beheading took place at the same spot where the foundation stone for the Kota fort was laid. Today, Kota bustles with tourist activity making it a popular southern Rajasthan destination.

Kota sits on the east bank of the legendary Chambal River, one of India’s least polluted rivers, and a tributary of the mighty Yamuna. Eco-tourism is a big draw here and travellers can take boat rides on the water-body, spotting a host of migratory birds and crocodiles. Travellers looking for authentic ethnic wear will not be disappointed as Kota is home to the famous kota doria artisans, who design saris with exquisite golden thread work, in an assortment of colours.

Kota is an important centre for Rajasthani arts and the City Palace has some of the most beautiful, and well-preserved miniature paintings in Rajasthan. The Hada Rajputs that ruled this kingdom were major patrons of the art, and the paintings and murals in Kota stand out for their depictions of flora and hunting scenes.

If you’re visiting between October and November, make sure your trip coincides with the Dussehra Festival, when Kota comes alive with gigantic effigies of Ravana set on fire to commemorate Rama’s victory over the demon king of Lanka. All in all, Kota is a great place to visit for those interested in a Rajasthani city bursting with culture.

Don’t worry about missing out on the best, we’ve got you covered with our listicle of things to do in Kota.

1Enjoy the scenic beauty of the Chambal River from a boat

No trip to Kota is complete without a boat ride on the Chambal river. Said to be one of the least polluted rivers of north India, the Chambal’s tranquil waters is home to the National Chambal Sanctuary (NCS) and a boat ride is a treat for animal lovers.

The NCS covers a whopping 285 sq.km in Rajasthan, beginning at the Kota Barrage and one can spot gharial, freshwater crocodiles, smooth-coated otters, close to ten varieties of tortoise, and if you’re lucky, the exquisite Gangetic dolphin. Birdwatchers flock to Kota where close to 250 species of birds inhabit the National Chambal Sanctuary. If you’re visiting between November and March, keep an eye on the sky to spot migratory beauties such as ruddy shelduck, Indian Skimmer, Sarus crane, red crested pochard and the black-necked stork, among others. The scrubby vegetation on either bank of the Chambal includes shisham, babul and ber trees.

The best way to explore Kota’s animals and marine life is by boat. A morning cruise offers ample photographic opportunities and don’t be surprised if you find yourself signing up for more than one boat ride during your stay in Kota. A river safari is one of the main reason why travellers land up in the southern Rajasthan city of Kota.

2Shop for exquisite kota doria saris in Kota’s kaleidoscopic bazaars

Rajasthan is a treasure trove of ethnic clothing and Kota is a prime location for the world-famous kota doria saris. These saris are weaved on a traditional pit loom out of pure cotton and silk and are surprisingly light. The chequered patterns known as khats, are further decked out with golden thread designs, adding to their aesthetic value.

The kota doria bazaars of Kota, near Rampura Road, are a magical place bursting with colour and the hustle and bustle of a medieval street market. If you’re interested in meeting the artisans and viewing a wider collection, take an auto rickshaw to Kaithoon, a small town 14kms south of Kota. Here you will find artisans hard at work at their pit looms, churning out these beautiful saris. Even if you don’t end up buying a kota doria sari, watching the unique process is a once in a lifetime opportunity.

3Explore the wall paintings and murals of Kota’s City Palace & Fort

As soon as you enter Kota’s City Palace and Fort complex, you don the hat of an explorer and transport yourself to a world of maharajas and palaces. The main things to do in Kota City Palace is explore Hawa Mahal, Badal Mahal, Raj Mahal and Jhala Haveli.

The Palace of the Winds (Hawa Mahal) has a multitude of screened windows that were used by the queens of old to check up on the everyday life of the palace. To the right of the sprawling palace complex’s courtyard is the well-maintained Maharao Madho Singh Museum. The entrance has massive elephants above and this southern Rajasthan museum is one of the best in the state. Take a close look at the intricately crafted weapons, before checking out the mirrored work of the durbar hall downstairs.

Kota artists of old are well-known for their miniature paintings that can be found in the small apartments upstairs. These exquisite paintings are well preserved and you’ll find it hard to walk away.

The 25 towers of the ramparts, six double gates, and three tier fortifications paint a good picture of the grandiose of Kota kingdom. Even though the ramparts are in ruins, they still exude a sense of power.

Plonked between the tourist kiosk and City Palace is the tranquil Kishore Sagar Lake. Jagmandir, a palace commissioned in the 1700s by a Kota maharani, stands majestically in the middle of Kishore Sagar.

4Celebrate the lively Dussehra festival in Kota

If you’re visiting Kota between October and November, make sure you land up during the exuberant Dussehra festival. Effigies of Ravana, the demon king of Lanka, nearly 25m tall are built of straw and sticks and burnt as a celebration of Rama’s victory in the Ramayana. Kota is absolutely transformed during the last days of the festival and travellers can witness cultural performances, try the local cuisine, and witness one of the most important Hindu festivals of the country.

Dussehra in Kota is a traveller’s dream and you should certainly plan your trip around October or November when the festival takes place.

5Catch a close glimpse of wildlife at Darrah and Sorsan

Around 45kms from Kota, near the Parvan and Chambal Rivers canal, are the Sorsan grasslands. Resident and migratory birds make their way here and the grasslands are a birdwatcher’s paradise. Keep an eye out for the Great Indian Bustard, among other varieties of wind-borne creatures such as- quails, drongos, orioles, warblers, rosy pastors, common pochards, and many more. October to March is the best time to land up here and is one of the most exciting things to do in Kota.

The Darrah sanctuary is around 50kms from Kota and used to be the royal hunting grounds of the former maharajas. Hire a trained guide to spot deer, antelopes, leopards and wild boars.

6Put on your trekking shoes and head to Gaipernath Waterfall

The rocky terrain and lush vegetation that surrounds Gaipernath makes it an ideal trekking spot. Whether you decide to land up for a picnic here or take a hike, Gaipernath Waterfall comes to life during the monsoons or just after. Situated on the outskirts of Kota, Gaipernath is a brilliant location for nature lovers.