A tranquil self-drive road trip from Jaipur to Kota

Once in a while, it feels worthwhile to take off from work for a few days and go for a long road trip with your family, or anyone who would not demand a lot of activity on the go. Peace is all that you need sometimes, and you can have it at a lot of places in Rajasthan. For those living in Jaipur, life becomes too excessively dynamic sometimes. At such times, you just feel like leaving for a serene place like Kota. Situated at a distance of slightly more than 250 kilometers, you can reach Kota from Jaipur in about 4 hours. While exploring the city in a couple of days, you can be comfortable at several pacific places.

What is special about Kota?

Kota, situated on the shores of River Chambal, is one of the most charming and lively towns of Rajasthan. The city was established in the 12th century as a part of Malwa Plateau. With a prosperous history and heritage, and a glorious past, the kings of Kota were recognized for their legendary feat in their wars with the Mughal rulers. The coat of arms of Kota is famous for its marvelous designs; it is also displayed in the museums of the city. When you visit the temples of Kota, try to have a local guide with you who can narrate the legendary stories of the celebrated kings of those times. Apart from impressive palaces and historical forts, Kota is also well-known for imposing handicrafts, textile weaving, cotton and oilseed milling, dairy products, and distilleries. If you have heard about Doria Saris, you will be delighted to know that they are weaved in the Kota mills.

Chambal Gardens

Situated at the Amar Niwas, the Chambal Gardens offer a great view neighboring the shores of River Chambal that is two kilometers on the southern side of the Kota Fort. The garden is extended to large grounds and entertains both adults and kids alike. Owing to the picturesque setting and landscaped garden, people come here to have quality time over a picnic. In the middle of Chambal Gardens, you can find a pond comprising a few crocodiles and gharials, and an overhead suspension bridge. You can take boat rides in the pond.

Godavari Dham Temple

The Godavari Dham Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman built on an enormous area and is now renewed with brilliant architecture accommodating statues of other deities. The two Garbha-Grihas of the temple house the idols of Lord Hanuman and the family of Lord Rama. The idols of Gods such as Ganapati, Shiva, and Bhairav are also there. Along with several other rooms and other constructions, a large part of the temple is open with rocky seating. The area reserved for Chambal Aarti is a mystic place that houses several story construction under the river than what is visible above. You must attend the Chambal Aarti that takes place at 7 pm.

The Jagmandir Palace

The Jagmandir Palace is situated in the center of the Kishor Sagar Lake in the city. One of the Kota queens had built this palace in the 1740s, which served as a retreat for the Kota rulers in summer. The immaculate waters of the Kishore Sagar Lake attract scores of tourists during summer evenings, which offer a magical view of the lake.

When you are in Kota, you would not want to miss anything in the city. You can also visit the neighboring Keshar Bagh to witness the royal, alluring cenotaphs. It takes almost two days to visit around the city. You should come to Kota in a car to be on the convenient side. In case you do not have one, you can take a  Self-Drive Car Rental Jaipur at affordable rates and enjoy your weekend with your family.