Best Things To Do In Kota, India

1. City Palace - Kotah Garh

Located on the banks of the Chambal River, the City Palace is the biggest of all the forts, in Kota. The riverfront and the palace are just a delight in the late morning. Painted in a pleasant white and orange combination, the rooms are fabulous, with magnificent miniature paintings and tiny little mirrors. Intricately decorated halls with glass panels and paintings, further add to its beauty.

There is a museum inside the Garh Palace, that holds a vast collection of artifacts and handicrafts, displaying the region’s heritage and includes medieval weaponry, as well as outfits and apparel of former kings and queens. The murals and miniature paintings are show classic beauty and “The Married Couple” piece seems like the man and woman could start speaking to each other. It is a wonderful place to visit with family and a great place to acquaint oneself with the history of Kota.

City Palace - Kotah Garh

Address: Rao Madho Singh Museum Trust, City Palace (Garh), Kota - 324006

Opening times: Monday - Sunday: 10 am - 5 pm

Website: City Palace - Kotah Garh

2. Seven Wonder Park

Seven Wonder Park is a park wherein beautiful replicas of the Seven Wonders of the World have been collected in one place, next to flowing water, creating a refreshing environment in the evening when the cool breeze touches your skin.

The monuments are not so charming in the broad daylight, but mesmerizing in the night when all of the miniature models are lit. Be it the Eiffel Tower, the Taj Mahal or the calm lake beside it, the view is amazing.

It is a beautiful place for families, kids, and students to show what the world has in store, for them.

Seven Wonder Park

Website: Seven Wonder Park

3. Jagmandir Palace

Jagmandir Palace is one of the most attractive destinations in Kota, located in the middle of Kishore Sagar Lake with the Seven Wonder Park on one side and Chaupati on the other. It’s also a popular shooting location for Bollywood movies, like Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya.

The palace was originally a temple, constructed way back in 1740, by one of the queens of Kota, for the recreation of the former king. A boat ride in the lake displays fabulous reflections in the crystal-clear water, of the majestic palace walls and domes.

At night the building is particularly enchanting, with the red sandstone palace and its reflection in Kishore Sagar Lake. The architectural style of Jagmandir is a mix of Mughal and Hindu style and includes interiors decorated with different wall paintings depicting the Hindu gods and goddesses. Situated nearby is the Keshar Bagh, primarily known for its royal memorials.

Jagmandir Palace

Address: Kishore Sagar Lake, Kota, India

Price: INR 100.00 (USD 1.55) per person for a motorboat, INR 200.00 (USD 3.09) per person for water scooter. Wednesday – 2.30 pm to 6.30 pm. Palace has no entry fee and is free to all.

Opening times: Boat ride – 10 am to 6 pm (Except Wednesdays)

4. Chambal Gardens

Located on the banks of the Chambal River, the Chambal Gardens encompass a well-maintained pond which is a habitat for crocodiles. This place is best for all nature lovers, who can have a look at the different varieties of plants and trees. This place is also good for those who want to study the history of the area. You can also check out the numerous monuments, mostly belong to the members of royal families and brave soldiers, who gave their lives to protect the state.

Boating through the river gives a rare opportunity to watch the crocodiles from a close range. While on the boat, you can enjoy the scenic beauty of the city and the magnificent view of the newly built bridge, over the river.

There is a park named Traffic Garden, or Hadoti Garden, for children. It has features like a miniature firehouse, hospital, police station, post office, railway barricades, along with a magnificent Jurassic park and slides for children. Kids can learn about traffic rules while enjoying the slides, in the park.

Chambal Gardens

Address: 2 kilometres (1.24 miles) south of the Kota Fort

Website: Chambal Gardens

5. Godavari Dham Temple

Godavari Dham temple is a famous Hanuman temple, situated on the banks of the Chambal River. Temples dedicated to the gods Shiva, Ganesha, and Bhairav, are also here. Devotional chants and mantras can be heard, especially on Tuesdays and Saturdays. You can feed cows and buffalo here, with grass purchased at a small cost.

The temple has a divine natural beauty and offers a great view of the mighty river and the sunset. On the right, you can see the Muslim masjid and Adharshila mosque along the river and on the left is an old palace. The best time to come here is around 7pm when the river is lit up at dusk, and the sun is about to set.

Godavari Dham Temple

Address: Shastri Nagar, Dadabari, Kota, Rajasthan

6. Hariyali Water Park

The Hariyali Water Park, on the Jaipur highway, is a good option for an outing if you want to beat the heat and have a fun filled day. The greenery lends a cool ambience to the place and it is a good option for parents with children, as there are several water-based thrills for the kids. The park offers numerous water rides and maintains high standards of hygiene.

Hariyali Water Park

Address: Bundi Road, Kota

7. Raniji ki Baoli

The 165 foot (50.3 meter) deep step well of Raniji ki Baoli was built by Rani Nathavati and displays the grandeur of Rajput architecture. This beautiful step well, from 1699, is situated outside the old walls of the original town of Bundi. Baolis or step wells were important social structures, where people used to assemble, in medieval India.

Stone elephants face each other at the top of the pillars and intricately carved stone brackets decorate the archways, making for a beautiful scene.

Raniji ki Baoli

Address: Gayatri Nagar, Bundi, Rajasthan

Website: Raniji ki Baoli

The history and grandeur of the Rajput era

Kota, with its magnificent palace from the Rajputana dynasty and modern tourist attractions like gardens, sanctuaries, waterparks and more, is a nice place to learn about the history, art and culture of ancient India. Its charm attracts both kids and adults and is a place worth seeing.