Recreation
Discover Umed Bhawan !
Umed Bhawan is one of the most beautiful palaces of Kota built in 1009 by
Maharaj Umed Singh of kota. The palace was designed by sir Swinton Jacob,
who spent many years in Rajasthan and has quite a few palaces & mansions
to his credit.
There
was more to the impressive building apart from a peculiar clock tower
-Separate zenana (ladies') wing, Durbar Hall (investiture room), Edwardian
Drawing Room, Library, Billiards Room, the Banquet Hall and even a cinema
hall. Every visiting dignitary, including Queen Mary, who visited Kotah
State in 1905, has been entertained at the Umed Bhawan. In 1930, the Palace
was enlarged to provide accommodation for Maharaj Kumar Bhim Singh and his
bride.George Devon, the designer, took great care to ensure that the new
wing blended well with the old. This part of Umed Bhawan remains a private
residence while the rest is operational as a WelcomHeritage hotel.
» Paintings : Painting comprises a very integral
part of Rajasthani culture. Woven into these splendid visuals are images of
everyday life of the olden times. The development of miniature paintings has
been one of the most important contributions of Rajasthan to Indian art.
Each region bears its own distictive stamp.
The Kota school of painting is one of the finest examples of this
technique. Kota paintings are known for their depiction of nature and
hunting scenes.
You could see a number of splendid specimens at the fort museum in Kota
City and Bundi Fort. The present Maharao of Kota Brijraj Singhji is an
authority on the subject and a great patron of art and craft of the region.
Sightseeing
There are various places of tourist interest in Kota which call for
exploration!
» Rao Madho Singh Museum : Housed in the historic
Kota Fort, the museum contains fine wall paintings, a miniature painting
gallery, royal regalia, arms and armoury, and lots more. Undoubtedly, one of
the best in Rajasthan.
» Royal Cenotaphs : These are present right in the
centre of the city and have beautiful stonework and intricate carvings.
» Bundi : There is something medieval about Bundi
which captivates the visitor with its magnificent fort, lovely stepwells,
and quaint narrow streets. The massive 14th century Taragarh Fort and the
huge palace (with famous Bundi murals) are not to be missed. Bundi lies only
38 km from Kota.
»
Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary : You can find panthers, wildboars, leopards
and antelopes in this area. The National Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary, 50 km
from Kota, is best known for gharials, the thin-snouted Indian crocodile.
The very rarely seen caracal can be found here. Forty five kilometres away
from Kota, Sorsan grasslands flank the main canal of Chambal. The grasslands
teem with insects during the monsoon months and attract a great variety of
resident and migratory birds. The rare Great Indian Bustard can be spotted
here.
» Kethun : This is the weavers' village where the
world famous kota doria saris are woven. Distance: 15 km
» Bardoli Temples : Fine architecture and sculptures
of 8th to 9th century can be seen in this cluster of temples. Distance: 56
km
» Jhalawar area : This opium-producing centre holds
a few things of tourist interest. The majestic Gagraon Fort, the walled town
of Jhalrapatan, and the 7th century Chandrabhaga temples beckon the
tourists. Distance: 80 km
» The Alnia Rock Shelters : 14 kilometres away from
Kota, and along the banks of the Alnia river, these picturesquely located
shelters house prehistoric paintings.
