Kota is the ever-charming city that lies majestically on the Chambal River, in the north Indian state of Rajasthan. It is a fairly popular tourist destination in the region, given that it is home to some of the most visited attractions in the northern parts of the country. It also houses amazing hotels, vacation rentals and accommodations such as Oyo rooms to accommodate travelers from afar. A trip to this destination is guaranteed to be pure bliss, and it is one of those places where you don’t need a formal itinerary since you will always find plenty of things to do, see and, of course, eat biryani at the best non-veg restaurant. If you fancy this as a destination during your trip to India, read below to learn about some of the top things Kota is famous for.
1. Rao Madho Singh Museum
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Located inside the walls of Kota’s palace the Rao Madho Singh Museum truly embodies an era. Situated on the grounds of a fort it serves as a sanctuary, for art lovers displaying mesmerizing sculptures, captivating paintings, and an extensive collection of weapons. Every item, from enchanting frescoes to crafts weaves a tale, about the rulers of this city. Beyond being artifacts this museum offers visitors an enthralling expedition that immerses them in the rich heritage of Rajasthan.
Rao Madho Singh Museum
Address: Rajasthan State Highway 33, Rajasthan State Electricity Board Area, Kota, Rajasthan, 324006
Opening hours: Mon - Sun : 10am - 5pm (closed on Fri)
2. Dad Devi Temple
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Situated 19.4 kilometers (12.05 miles) from Kota in Ummed Ganj is the historic Dad Devi Mata Mandir, tracing back to the 10th century. Dedicated to Dad Devi, a form of Durga Devi identifiable by her pronounced molar teeth, her imposing idol seated on a lion showcases her with ten powerful arms. The temple, built in the intricate Nagar style, stands on 12 ornately decorated pillars against the peaceful backdrop of the Chambal River.
Encircled by lush forests, this serene location is perfect for worship and meditation. An annual fair during Navratras further elevates its spiritual significance.
Dad Devi Temple
Address: Sri Dadh Devi Mata Temple, 3WG9+HGW, Rooparel, Rajasthan 325001
Opening hours: 6am - 9pm (daily)
3. Gold Jewelry
India needs no introduction when it comes to the jewelry world. Their ladies are among the best-ornamented humans in the world is not just a flatter, but an actual statement of fact. The land is so blessed with lots of minerals, including gold, out of which Indian jewelers are able to craft all types of attractive jewelry. When it Kota, one of the gold capitals in the country, make sure to buy some gold jewelry.
4. Kota Doria Sarees
Sarees is to Indian what coffee is to Ethiopia. It simply means that the country is well known for its sarees, and rarely do visitors come to any part of India and leave without purchasing a piece or two for themselves or their loved ones. The Doria sarees in Kota, however, are not just your average street sarees. Kota is known for its originality and authenticity when it comes to designing fabulous and detailed sarees. It is in this city that you are going to find some of the most unique and attractive sarees in the entire country.
5. Kota Stone
Sarees and gold jewelry are found in several places in India, but it is only here where you will find the famous Kota Stone. It is a form of limestone with fine grains and there are several mines in Kota whose focus is to bring it from the depths of the earth to the surface. The stone is particularly popular due to their greenish-blue and brown appearance that give them a distinct and unique look you won’t find with many stones. This is a real souvenir and a famous thing to buy in Kota, Rajasthan, that you should consider taking home.
6. Garh – City Palace
Garh – City Palace is a common mention whenever you hear people talking about Kota. It is a single complex with a variety of inviting architectural structures and monuments that best explains the incredible heritage of Rajput. Floral décor, mirror walls, imposing wall painting, gorgeous entrances, and breathtaking marble floors are some of the beautiful things you will be treating your eyes to when you visit this palace believed to have been constructed in the 13th century.
Garh – City Palace
Address: Tipta, SH 33, Garh Palace, Kishorepura Darwaja, Kota, Rajasthan 324006
Opening hours: 10am - 4:30pm (daily)
Traveler's tips
Kota Garh is a monumental landmark in the city of Kota. The palace boasts beautiful architecture and there's an entry and photography fees for individuals. There are many miniature paintings and a diverse collection of armour that one can check out here.
The lovely mirror-work on the walls, the old palace doors and the courtyard all blend together to truly take visitors back to ancient India.
7. Kota Barrage
Kota Barrage happens to be one of the most important reservoirs that are key to Rajasthan’s agriculture. It is a massive reservoir constructed over the Chambal River. It covers an area of landmass as the size of Haiti, making its size one of the reasons that makes it so popular. However, the greatest attraction to this enormous man-made water body is the view of the waters flowing through the gate with an unexplainable force – you’ve got to visit so that you understand the phenomena.
Kota Barrage
Address: Chambal River, Electricity Board Area, Kota, Rajasthan 324008, India
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
8. Seven Wonders Park
This is another cool attraction that puts Kota on the world tourism map. Just as the name suggests, it is a park that features a miniature of all the Seven Wonders of the World – Statue of Liberty, Christ the Redeemer of Rio, Colosseum of Rome, The Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Eiffel Tower of France, The Great Pyramids of Egypt, and the Taj Mahal of India. If you have never had a chance to visit all the Seven Wonders of the Park, then all you have to do is come to this park and visit all of them at once.
Seven Wonders Park
Address: Kishore Sagar Lake, Kota, Rajasthan
Opening hours: 4:30pm - 10pm (daily)
Price: 0.68 USD
9. Coaching in Kota
Kota is also an academic giant in the country, and it is well known for a plethora of great coaches as well as coaching institutes that touches on a variety of subjects. If you are coming in as a tourist, you may not have the time to get coached on a skill or a segment of an industry, but just know that this is one of the best places to get coaching in the world.
10. Kachori
India is well known for its incredible diversity in street foods. If you are in the state of Rajasthan, “Kota kachori,” a famous food of Kota, is one such delicacy you must just try on the streets. One of its main ingredient is hing (asafoetida), which gives it a unique and authentic taste. It is a mouth-watering snack that you can have for breakfast, and it will also make a great accompaniment for evening chai. The good news is that there are so many Kachori shops around the city that you won’t miss or struggle to find them.
11. Kishore Sagar
Kishore Sagar is a mesmerizing artificial lake and one of the most famous places in Kota, Rajasthan. The azure water gives this 14th-century lake a picturesque beauty that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. The other fascinating highlight of this lake is the architectural masterpiece that sits right in the middle of the lake – Jag Mandir Palace. This is a beautiful architecture of red sandstone, which normally creates surreal views when reflected over the lake waters by the evening lights. It is one of the best places you will ever take photos in your life.
Kishore Sagar
Address: Rampura, Kota, Rajasthan 324006
Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (daily)
12. Waterfalls
For outdoor enthusiasts interested in sightseeing in Kota, here is something you can look forward to when coming to Kota. The region is not just known for its rich history, culture, and culinary diversity, but also for its breathtaking waterfalls. Together with your guide, you can have an entire itinerary of jumping from one waterfall to another till you want to take a dip no more. Even more exciting, you will be sharing some of these waterfalls with elephants – just be sure to maintain your distance. Make sure to visit Gaipernath waterfall.
Explore the charming city of Kota
With all the above top things Kota is famous for, you will always have plenty of things to see and do in Kota. Use this list to help you shape your itinerary so that you don’t miss out on most of the fun that the region has to offer, including cafes and the ultimate places for the best biryani.
Frequently asked questions about things Kota is famous for
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