Kota is the third largest city in the state of Rajasthan and is one of the popular tourist destinations. This city is 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. Kota boasts a rich history which dates back to the 12th century AD when Rao Deva, a Chauhan Rajput Chieftain conquered the territory and founded Bundi and Hadoti. Kota back then was a part of the erstwhile Rajput Kingdom of Bundi and was later carved out of Bundi in 1631 as an independent Rajput state. 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.
Attractions And Palaces To Visit In Kota –
City Palace (Garh Palace) –
City Palace is major tourist attraction in kota, also known as the Garh Palace. This Palace is a example of predominantly Rajput style of architecture. This palace is decorated with beautiful frescos, wall paintings, mirror hangings, mirror ceiling, and flower decorations. The palace is surrounded by lush green gardens which add to the exquisiteness of the place. There is a museum as well in this city palace, and exhibits a spectacular collection of medieval weapons, outfits and apparels of former kings and queens, artifacts and handicrafts.
Seven Wonder Park –
Seven Wonders Park in Kota comprises of miniatures of all the Seven Wonders of the World. A single visit to this park allows visitors to get a glimpse of the replicas of all the Seven Wonders of the World. These include Taj Mahal, Great Pyramid, Eiffel Tower, Leaning Tower, Christ the Redeemer of Brazil, Colosseum, and Statue of Liberty. It has become a famous tourist spot and attracts thousands of visitors from all over the world. These miniatures have been built on the bank of the Kishore Sagar Lake thereby enhancing its beauty.
Kota Barrage –
Kota Barrage is one of the most important water reservoirs in the Rajasthan state constructed over Chambal River. The Kota Barrage spreads over an area of 27,332 square kilometres, which makes it as large as Haiti! The mesmerizing view of water flowing through the gates with a great force makes it a popular tourist attraction. The Kansua temple of Lord Shiva, housing a rare four-faced Shiva lingam is a place of interest near the barrage.
Chambal Garden –
Located on the bank of river Chambal, this place is one of the most beautiful picnic spots in the city of Kota. At Chambal Garden, visitors can enjoy peace in the lap of exquisite greenery. The major attraction here is the wonderful boat ride that you can take on the Chambal river. Considered to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the river itself is a part of the National Chambal Ghariyal (Gavial) Sanctuary. The sanctuary was established in 1983 with the express purpose of conserving the fast depleting population of marsh crocodiles and ghariyals, which are a type of thin-snouted crocodile. It is also famous for its diverse bird population and scenic natural beauty.