Sukhdham means the Abode of Bliss and that is what the visitor experiences. The building is an excellent blend of English and Indian architecture. With its open terraces, cool arcades, foliated arches and intricately carved stone screens, Sukhdham is set in a lush orchard. The fifteen well appointed rooms have been tastefully furnished to maintain the character of a heritage home. Sukhdham prides itself in providing a taste of the legendary Rajput hospitality with all modern facilities. Its personalized service and high standards at reasonable rates set it apart.
The natural surroundings provide a safe habitat for a variety of birds and it is a bird lovers paradise, what with a peacock dancing around while you sip your morning tea.The fragrance of the scented trees and shrubs along the walkways; the smell of mango blossom in spring and the multitude of birds in the mango groves are some of the memories a visitor takes back with him.
Sukhdham is one of the oldest heritage properties in Kota which is at the heart of Hadoti and only 35 Kms from Bundi.This is Rajasthan’s rich and green South Eastern corner with its proposed National Park, Animal Sanctuaries and the magnificent Chambal Gorge.Make Sukhdham your base to Bundi,Jhalawar and other areas.
Kota is well connected by road. It is on National Highway 12 from Jaipur (245 Km.) to Bhopal (345 Km.)and National Highway 76 from Udaipur (280 Km) to Shivpuri(M.P.) (230 Km). National Highway 76 is also a part of the East West corridor passing through Kota. Chittorgarh, another famous historical town is 170 Km. from Kota. Sawai Madhopur, known for its Ranthambhore Tiger reserve is just 140 Km. and is on the Delhi-Mumbai train route.Kota is on the Delhi-Mumbai main railway line which has a comfortable frequency of super fast trains.
There are deluxe buses available from Jaipur (5 ½ hours) and Udaipur (8 Hours). There are super fast trains from Jaipur which take less than 4 hours.
The Sukhdham Kothi is centrally located in a peaceful, green area; 2 kms. from Kota Railway Station and 1.5 kms from the Bus stand. It is 2 kms from the Town Centre.
Sukhdham traces its history back to the 19th century. After the killing of the British political agent and his colleagues in the 1857 mutiny, Sukhdham was built as a safe haven for the Agency Surgeon in circa 1870. In 1922, when the Agency shifted from Kotah, it came to the Kotah state. His highness, Umed Singhji, Maharao of Kotah, christened it Sukhdham.
In 1929, it became the residence of Col. Thakur Prithvi Singhji, M.B.E., General Officer in Commanding, the Kotah State forces.Col. Thankur Prithvi Singhji was the second person from Rajasthan to get the Kings Commission. He had a distinguished career in the British Indian Army and saw action in the third Afghan War and World War I. After retirement in 1927, the colourful Maharaja of Patiala, Bhupinder Singh ji (his course mate), invited him to command his forces. This he accepted and was in Patiala till 1929. On the request of Maharao of Kota, he came to Kota in 1929 and was appointed G.O.C. Kota state forces.
He then raised the Umed Infantry on modern lines.
After Col. Thakur Prithvi Singhji, his only son Thakur Jaswant Singhji inherited Sukhdham. In 1996, Sukhdham became a heritage hotel.
Jaiwardhan and Harshwardhan Singh, the grandsons of Col. Thakur Prithvi Singhji are your hosts who will ensure a comfortable and pleasurable stay.Sukhdham is family run and prides itself on personal service and high standards at reasonable rates. It has all the facilities of a modern hotel.The large airy rooms with exquisitely carved stone balconies and open terraces make your stay in Sukhdham very special.
All the 15 rooms have their own unique style and ambience. Each room has a spacious and modern bathroom.
Other facilities include:* Cable television
* Telephone
* Air Conditioning
* Running hot and cold water
* Room service
* Doctor on call
* Credit cards
* Laundry
* Internet
* Ample parking space for vehicles and trailers.
* Large lawns set in a garden.
Car rentals and excursionarrangements.
Dining:The dining hall has a nice ambience and the bay windows give a wonderful view of the mango orchard. The high ceilings and arches are reminiscent of the Victorian era. Adjoining it is a lovely verandah looking on to the garden.The personalised service at Sukhdham adds to the unique dining experience making your stay more pleasurable. Depending on the season, meals or light refreshments can be served outside. Candle light dinners are also arranged. On prior intimation Gala dinners are organised with bonfires and cultural programmes.The cuisine served is Indian, that is Mughlai and specializing in Rajasthani.
There is a spectrum of attractions in and around Kota for you to choose from.Boat Ride on Chambal River.The magnificent gorge of the Chambal River with all its interesting flora and fauna can be best appreciated from a motor boat.Rao Madho Singh Museum.The museum’s treasures are its mellow murals. It has a rich collection of miniature paintings of the Kota school, an impressive armoury, royal artefacts and a hall of mirrors with delightful paintings.
Sorsan Sanctuary:This flat, rocky scrubland is rich in wildlife. If you are lucky, you may catch a glimpse of the Great Indian Bustard here. Herds of graceful black buck and Chinkara abound. Indian fox, jackal, mongoose, birds of prey and more are to be found.This is an ideal place to watch grassland birds.(A jeep is required to move about in the sanctuary.) Gaipernath, KotaGovernment MuseumOn display are Shaiv, Vaishnav, Buddhist and Jain sculptures dating 5th to the 10th centuries. It boasts of an important 3rd century Yupa pillars and an international famous sculpture of ‘Shesh Shai’ Vishnu from Badoli. The museum also has a rich selection of miniatures and manuscripts.Other places of interest:The Modern Art Gallery next to the Government Museum.
The British Cemetry with its unusual Indo-Saracen architecture and the Tomb of the British Resident and his sons killed in the uprising of 1857. The Old City, best viewed from a cycle rickshaw, with its narrow bustling streets and wide variety of open front shops.
