Kota Fort Rajasthan

Kota, 230km south of Jaipur, has one of the most interesting forts in India and a city palace. It is one of the most industrialized cities in Rajasthan. Kota was originally part of the Bundi Rajput kingdom, but became a separate state in 1624.

The Dussehra Mela is a large festival here (Sept-Oct). Kota is not such a popular tourist destination. (10 to 12 October 2005)

Information
The Tourist Office (232-7695), next to the RTDC Chambal Tourist Bungalow, has maps, Rajasthan brochures and travel schedules. Open Mon to Sat 8 am to 6 pm. Closed 2nd & 4th Saturday of each month.

You can rent a taxi at the Hotel Navrang (323-294).

You can change money at the State Bank of India (changes AMEX cheque but not others), Chawni Circle, which can be quite slow; and the State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur (242-1784) at Industrial Estate. HDFC Bank ATM is next to Hotel Phul Plaza.

Two possible hospitals are Baheti Hospital (242-7359), Talvandi Scheme; and Maharao Bhim Singh Hospital, Civil Lines.

For Internet there is Shiv Shakti Enterprises (Rs 30 per hr).

Kota Fort and City Palace
This is one of the largest forts in Rajasthan. The fort was built in 1264, but was expanded over the years, reaching its present size in 1625, when the city palace was completed. The fort is not well-maintained so it is looking a bit run-down, but the palaces are in good condition. You enter the fort through the south Naya Darwaza Gate (New Gate). There are some good views from the walls of the fort.

The best part of the City Palace is the excellent Maharoa Madro Singh Museum (232-3040). You enter the museum through Hathian Pol, an ornate gateway with a brass cannon and painted elephants on either side. To the right is the Raj Mahal, which has excellent mirror work and is intricately painted. On the left are many exhibits, such as statues, silver waterpipes, instruments, clocks, vases, and chess sets. There are excellent Kota Kamba, painted miniature figures that are a local specialty, and a good weapons exhibit. Open daily except Fri 11 am to 5 pm; Admission foreigners/Indians Rs 50/10, camera Rs 50, video Rs 75.

Other Places
In the middle of Kishor Sagar (an artificial lake) is Jagmandir Palace (1740). It is interesting to look at from the outside, but is not open to the public. It may be possible to get special permission to enter from the Superintendent Engineer at the Public Works Department behind Collectorate Circle. You can rent a RTDC paddleboat (Rs 30) and ride around the lake.

The Brij Vilas Palace Museum (232-8443) on the north side of Kishor Sagar, has a fairly interesting collection of weapons, statues, and paintings. Open daily except Fri; admission Rs 5. There is a Fun Park behind the museum, which has a small zoo (open daily except Tue 8.30 am to 6 pm; Rs 3).

The Chhattar Bilas Gardens, near the Tourist Bungalow, has a collection of royal chhatris, each having a pair of stone elephants in front of them.

Chambal Gardens, 2km south of the fort, has a pond with crocodiles and gharials and is a popular place to hangout.

Where to Stay
Hotel Marudhar (232-6186; 232-4415), Jhalawar Rd, near the entrance to the fort, has air-cooled rooms with bath and TV for Rs 350/450 and Rs 450/550 with A/C. Some of the rooms are noisy so best to see (hear) a few.
Hotel Shri Anand (244-1773: fax 244-1970), 200m from the railway station, has singles with common bath for Rs 250, rooms with bath for Rs 350/450, and deluxe rooms for Rs 350/500. It has a veg restaurant.
Hotel Navrang (232-3294; fax 245-0044), near the GPO, has comfortable air-cooled rooms with bath and hot water for Rs 600/700 and Rs 800/1100 with A/C. It is a good idea to check out a few rooms, as some are better than others. Have a central courtyard. Have a vegetarian restaurant ($$)
Hotel Phul Plaza (232-9350; fax 232-2614), next door, has well-maintained air-cooled rooms with bath and a TV for Rs 450/550 and A/C rooms for Rs 750/850. It is a good value. Has a good vegetarian restaurant.
RTDC Hotel Chambal (232-6527), Kishor Bagh, has clean rooms for Rs 500/550 and Rs 800/900 with A/C. It has a nice garden.
Sukdham Hotel (320-081; fax 327-781; Email: sukhdam@datainfosys.net), Station Rd, 2km from the railway station, is a good place with rooms with bath for Rs 800/900 and Rs 1050/1200 with A/C. Family-run colonial place with large garden.
Hotel Brijraj Bhawan Palace (245-0529; fax 245-0057), overlooking the Chambal River, has comfortable rooms for Rs 1700/1900 and Rs 2200 for a suite. It is a former palace of the Maharaja of Kota and was also the former British Residency (built in 1830 by the East India Company). It is a peaceful place with character and a tennis court. Has a veiw of the Chambal River. It is recommended and should be booked in advance during the season. It has a good restaurant that serves Indian and Continental food, only open to guests. Dinner are Rs 400.
Umed Bhawan Palace (232-5262; fax 245-1110), Station Rd, is a spacious, luxury place with excellent gardens and a billiards room. Rooms with antique furniture are $65/85. It is the best place in town. It has a very good restaurant that serves set lunches and dinners for Rs 450, which is only open to residents.

Where to Eat
Hotel Phul Plaza has a good vegetarian restaurant.
Barkha Restaurant, Nayapura Circle, has good cheap veg food.
Maheshwari Bhajnayal, Nayapura, is a very good vegetarian place. It is a popular, reasonably priced place. Recommended.

Local Travel
A motor rickshaw between the railway and bus station is Rs 30-35 and a bike-rickshaw is Rs 15-20.

Travel

Train Kota is on the main Delhi to Mumbai line (station phone 244-1162). There are trains to Delhi (6 daily), Mumbai (6 daily), Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur (2 hr, 108km), Amritsar and Agra (350km). The fully A/C Rajdhani is the fastest train to Delhi and Mumbai.

Delhi Indore Nizamuddhin Exp #4005 (11 pm, 7½ hr) Jaipur Mumbai-Jaipur Exp #2995 (8.45 am, 4 hr); Mathura Golden Temple Mail #2903 (11.30 am, 5½ hr); Sawai Madhapur Mumbai-Jaipur Exp #2995 (8.45 am, 1¾ pm).

An auto-rickshaw from the railway station to the bus stand is Rs 20. Minibuses connect the two for Rs 3.

Bus There are buses to Chittorgarh (6 hr), Ajmer (5½ hr), Udaipur (9 hr), Jaipur (6½ hr, every hr) and Bundi (1 hr, Rs 14, every half-hour) in Rajasthan. There are buses to various cities in Madhya Pradesh such as Ujjain, Indore and Gwalior.

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