Even though Kota is overshadowed by some of the other far more alluring destinations in Rajasthan, there is little scope of denying that it too is a place that has quite a lot in store for its visitors. Home to some grand palaces, imposing forts, beautiful temples, lovely well maintained gardens and serene lakes it also serves as the base for a visit to some very interesting places in its vicinity. Excursions from Kota are sure to be very delightful and enjoyable.
The places that instantly come to one’s mind when thinking of Excursions from Kota are Jhalraptan and Baroli. Both of them are not very far from Kota, well connected to it and famous for their temples. Not only religious minded Hindu devotees but fond admirers of art and architecture will thoroughly enjoy a visit to both these places.
Baroli has a spectacular temple complex. Many of the temples have been destroyed but of the few that remain of these ancient temples, it is the Ghateshwara Temple that is most impressive. Be it the pillars, the carvings or the sculpted image of Lord Natraj on the door of the mandapa, one cannot but admire the brilliance of the workers responsible for them.
As for Jhalraptan, yet another good place for Excursions from Kota it is definitely the remnants of the Sun Temple out here that is its greatest draw. However when going from Kota to Jhalraptan many other temples fall en route and these are also quite striking. They stand to this day in spite of being constructed several hundred of years before as embodiments of the heights reached in the field of architecture by our craftsmen.
No matter how highly we speak of these temples, we cannot but deny that such magnificent structures dot the landscape of Rajasthan. So for those who want to partake of a slightly different kind of an experience when out on Excursions from Kota, it is best to plan a tour to the Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary. The forest of the Darrah Wild Life Sanctuary is home to many animals like leopards, deers, antelopes, wolves, sloth beers and others. The excitement of seeing so many members of the animal kingdom in their wild habitat is immense.
However there is yet another added attraction in this wildlife sanctuary. Since it was at one point of time the hunting grounds of the royal rulers of Kota, there are many hunting lodges here. Seeing them one gets an insight into the past, moreover from these lodges one can get a better view of the animals.
