|
Kota Palace, Kota |
|
Kota Garh Palace |
|
Sculpture, Jhalarapatan |
|
Gagron Fort |
|
Badoli Temple Complex |
Along the eastern
bank of the Chambal River lies Kota - an amazing juxtaposition of
the majestic medieval age and modern industrialization temples its
untouched wealth of impressive forts, opulent palaces and splendid
temples dating back over several centuries retain the past glory,
the present day edifices and heavy industries have made it the
industrial heartland of Rajasthan. The history of the city dates
back to the 12th century A.D. when the Hada Chieftain, Rao Deva,
conquered the territory and founded Bundi and Hadoti. Later, in
the early 17th century AD during the reign of the Mughal Emperor
Jahangir, the ruler of Bundi -Rao Ratan Singh, gave the smaller
principality of Kota to his son, Madho Singh. Since then Kota
became a hallmark of the Rajput gallantry and culture. The
commanding fort stands overlooking the modern Chambal Valley
Project with its many dams- Kota Barrage, Gandhi Sagar, Rana
Pratap Sagar and Jawahar Sagar. An old palace, dating back to the
time when Kota was under the control of Hada Chieftaincy- Hadoti
faces the Kota Barrage. The Durbar Hall is ornate with beautiful
mirror work and has ebony and ivory doors. Exquisite miniatures of
the Kota school are housed within the Hall. Other noteworthy
edifices of the bygone era are the Brij Raj Bhawan Palace, Jag
Mandir-and island Palace, a splendid haveli (mansion) with
beautiful frescoes and the royal cenotaphs.
TOP
Ý
PLACES OF INTEREST ARE:
Kotah Fort: This impressive structure overlooks the
turbulent waters of the Chambal River is a popular tourist
attraction. According to local legend, the Bhil chieftain Kotya
was slain by Jait Singh, the grandson of Rao Deva, the founder of
the Hada rule. The foundation of the Garh (Fort) was raised over
the slain chief near the Salar Gazi Gate. Where, till today, the
Kota Royal House customarily offers prayers. The Kota fort rampart
is one of the highest in Rajasthan, with its three-layered
fortifications heavily reinforced by massive bastions and 6 double
gates and 25 towers (burj). Within its precincts are numerous
palaces, Madho Singh Mahal, Raj Mahal, Bada Mahal, Chhatra Mahal
and the ruined Jhala Haveli. The City Palace and the Fort comprise
one of the largest of such complexes in Rajasthan. The former
rulers of Kota still retain a major portion of the palace.
The Madho Singh Trust Museum has an excellent collection of
weapons, clothing and some of the best preserved murals in
Rajasthan. The museum is divided into two sections, which include
the Durbar Hall with it beautiful mirror work, and doors inlaid
with ebony and ivory, and a superb collection of Rajput miniatures
of the Kota School. The museum also has a wildlife gallery, photo
section, painting gallery, mirror painting gallery, fresco
paintings of the Lakshmi Bhandar, Bada Mahal, and Chhatra Mahal.
The paintings of Raj Mahal, Chhatra Mahal and Jhala Haveli are
exquisite.
Chambal Garden: A beautifully landscaped garden at the Amar
Niwas. Its lush surroundings make it a popular picnic spot
offering enjoyable boat rides.
Jag Mandir: Amid the picturesque artificial lake of Kishore
Sagar constructed in 1346 AD by Prince Dher Deh of Bundi, stands
the enchanting little palace of Jag Mandir. The azure waters
around the red-sandstone monument enhance its beauty. Boat-rides
can be enjoyed in the lake. The Keshar Bagh famous for its royal
cenotaphs lies in the vicinity.
Haveli of Devtaji: The beautiful Haveli of Devta Shridharji
is located in the middle of the busy market. The haveli is noted
for its splendid frescoes and rooms ornate with lovely wall
paintings.
Other Places worth visiting: Kansua temple with a four
faced Shiva Lingam, Bhitria Kund, Adhar Shila, Budh Singh Bafna
haveli and Yatapat Park.
TOP
Ý
MUSEUMS & ART GALLERIES:
Government Museum: Originally located in the Hawa Mahal
just above the entrance of the fort, has now been shifted to the
Brij Vilas Palace and has a new display and décor.
The museum
possesses several hundred years old sculptures from different
cultural centers of the region. Generally, the sculptures belong
to the period form the 8th to the 12th century AD though early
specimens of the Gupta period (4th to 5th century AD) can also be
seen.
Sculptures worth
mentioning are Shesh Sayi Vishnu form Badoli (Chittaurgarh), Jain
image of Vardhaman from Baran and a dancing pair from Ramgarh.
A few
inscriptions are displayed in the museum. Yupa pillars from Badwa
are very important specimens of 3rd century AD showing the
popularity of Vedic rites.
Coins discovered
form various sites of Kota region are preserved and displayed in
the numismatic section. Most of the coins belong to the Mughal
period and a few of them to the Rajput period.
Several miniature
paintings of Bundi, Kota, Nathdwara and Jaipur schools are
preserved in the museum. Paintings of Shrimad Bhagawata of the
early 17th century are most attractive form the point of view of
workmanship.
The manuscript
section contains a number of manuscripts in Sanskrit. They include
Vedic, Astronomical and Astrological works. Some Hindi manuscripts
are also preserved. The Geeta and the Bhagwata written in the
minutest letters on papers scroll and worth mentioning from the
calligraphic point of view.
Arms, several
kings of handicrafts, costumes, etc. are also displayed in this
section. A panoramic view of the cultural aspects of Kota region
is available in this section through photographs, charts, maps
etc.
Rao Madho
Singh Trust Museum, Garh Palace: The old 17th century Kota
Fort Place is a vast complex of buildings, halls temples and
courtyards altered and added from time to time by different
rulers. Many of these contain beautiful frescoes and elaborate
glass and mirror work. A considerable part of the family treasures
have been preserved in the Raj Mahal. These include a fine
collection of weapons, miniatures, royal paraphernalia furniture,
photographs etc. The upper galleries Laksh Bhandar, Arjun Mahal,
Chhatra Mahal and Baka Mahal contain some of the finest mural
paintings of Kota school.
TOP
Ý
EXCURSIONS:
Badoli (48 km): On the ways to Pratap Sagar dam lies one of
the oldest and most spectacular temple complexes in Rajasthan,
going back to the 9th century AD. It was built a little before the
classical period of temple building. The principal temple is of
Ghateshwar Mahadev. It is protected by a walled enclosure where
one comes across archaeological remains, sculptures, carved
ornamented pillars, etc. the craftsmanship seen here is stunning.
The carvings and the figure of Shiva as the cosmic dancer,
Nataraja, on the door of the sanctum are bewitching. There are
also many other interesting shrines in the vicinity.
Bhainsrodgarh:
Not far from Baroli is the picturesque Bhainsrodgarh Fort. Perched
on a cliff - top overlooking the Chambal River, it is still
occupied by descendants of a feudal family.
Gagron Fort
(100 km): This impregnable fort was the Capital of Khichi
Chauhans and has a glorious history of valour and sacrifice. The
foundation of this magnificent for t was laid in or around 7th or
8th century AD.
It is surrounded on three sides by the water of the Ahu and Kali
Sindh Rivers and is an ideal example of a Jaldurg. Outside the
fort is the mausoleum of a Sufi saint, Mitte Shah, where a fair is
held every year during the Islamic month of Ramjan.
Fort & Mosque
of Shahbad (160 km): The fort was constructed in 1577 AD by
Chauhan ruler Muktaman. The mosque is the biggest in Rajasthan and
was built during the reign of Aurangazeb.
Rock Paintings
of Alania (25 km): Beautiful rock paintings adorn the bank of
the River Alaniya.
Darrah
Wildlife Sanctuary: A thickly wooded forest, along the
south-eastern border of Kota, adjacent of the mountain range, is
the former royal hunting reserve. It has been converted into a
wildlife sanctuary where panthers, spotted deer, wild boar and
bear alive without any threat to their lives.
Sorsan:
About 45 km east of Kota, flanking the main canal of the Chambal
and Parvan Rivers, are the Sorsan grasslands. Covering 35sq km,
these grasslands are rich in insects during the monsoon and
attract a good variety of resident and migratory birds, including
the great Indian bustard, a reluctant flier which is more commonly
seen stalking through the grasslands on its sturdy legs. Other
birds of Sorsan include mynas, orioles, quails, partridges,
flycatchers, bulbuls, chats, drongos, shrikes, larks, robins and
weavers. Flocks of migrants, such as warblers, flycatchers, larks,
starlings and rosy pastors, winter at Sorsan between October and
March. Indian rollers can be seen in early winter. The nearby
canal and lakes attract waterfowl, such as bar-headed and greylag
geese, common pochards, common teal and pintails.
SHOPPING:
Kota is the home of the famous Kota "doria" sarees made in small
villages around the city. |
