Kota, the third most populous city in Rajasthan, lies alongside the banks of River Chambal, the only perennial river in Rajasthan. Locals and tourists visit the river shores for watching crocodiles, sighting birds and for boat riding in general. Kota is famous for its thriving coaching culture for IIT-JEE and Medical entrance preparations and every year more than four lakh students visit and live in the city. Not many cities witness such influx of students every year and this has earned the city various names such as Education City of India and Coaching Capital of India. It is also considered to be the second most livable city in Rajasthan after Jaipur and is becoming an industrial hub with numerous power plants in and around the city. The sturdy and dark Green coloured eponymous Kota stone also comes from the city and is traded all across the country for building projects of all kinds. Kota has also contributed to the rich fabric heritage of India with its trademark Kota Doriya (where Dora means thread) fabric which is known for its delicate, translucent thread weaving pattern, thus giving the textile its name. Apart from a flourishing industrial scene, the city also offers a glimpse of history in the form of palaces and a flash of nature in the form of various gardens, the most famous being Chambal Udhyan.

Location: Rajasthan
Best Time To Visit: October to March.
Famous for: Education.