Anand Mahindra Praises Kota’s Chambal Riverfront; Says, “Good Grief, It’s Real!”

Another day, another hidden gem in India. Industrialist Anand Mahindra recently praised the Chambal Riverfront in Kota, stating that at first he mistook the glowing night visuals for AI before realising the place was 100% real! The Chambal Riverfront is that side of Kota that people had no idea existed. Here’s everything you need to know about this tourist spot.

Anand Mahindra Impressed By Chambal Riverfront In Kota 

My first reaction on seeing this was: AI.

My second reaction, after checking: Good grief. It’s real.

This is the Chambal Riverfront in Kota.

For most of us, the name Kota probably brings to mind its huge coaching industry. And, sadly, the controversies around the intense pressure on students there.

But this is a side of Kota I had absolutely no idea existed.

2.75 km along both banks of the Chambal. Ghats, promenades, fountains and some fairly spectacular public spaces.

And apparently I’m not the only one who hasn’t discovered it. The riverfront is reportedly attracting only around 1,000 visitors a day.

Why haven’t we heard more about it?

Credit to Shanti Dhariwal, then Rajasthan’s Urban Development Minister, who drove the project, the Kota Urban Improvement Trust and architect Anoop Bartaria.

Judging from these images, it certainly deserves to be better known.

Kota just went on my Wanderer list.

Anyone been there? Does the reality live up to the pictures?

(Video & pic courtesy @ind_whitepill )

#SundayWanderer

— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) October 4, 2026

Kota, a city in Rajasthan, is located along the banks of the Chambal River and is home to thousands of coaching hubs for entrance exams like IIT-JEE and NEET. While the city has history, it is not generally considered an amazing tourist spot compared to other cities in Rajasthan like Jaipur, Udaipur and Jodhpur. But recently, industrialist Anand Mahindra shed light on one of the destinations in Kota that might change your mind.

He talked about the Chambal Riverfront in the city. It is India’s first heritage riverfront built along both banks of the Chambal River and stretches 2.75 km along both sides. Looking at the photos, Anand Mahindra thought it was made using AI. But after checking, he was surprised and wrote, “Good grief, it’s real.”

Also Read: Watch: Anand Mahindra Shares Rare Equinox Spectacle At Kerala’s Padmanabhaswamy Temple At Sunset

It Has 26 Ghats And Beautiful Architecture

The Chambal Riverfront was neglected for many years, but it has been developed into a tourist spot now. According to the Kota Riverfront website, it offers a splendid array of some 26 ghats.  Each showcases the unique architectural style of India.

Moreover, the riverfront also exhibits the art and culture of nine regions of Rajasthan. This includes Shekhawati, Dhundhar, Marwar, Wagad, Ahirwal, Mevat, Gorwar and Hadauti. The place also features the world’s largest stone Nandi statue, which is adorned with jewellery at Nandi Ghat. The Chambal Riverfront also has promenades, cascading fountains, gardens, and so much more.

There is also a Literary Ghat which houses figurines of renowned authors and a library with an extensive collection of books. According to Anand Mahindra’s post, despite being so beautiful and glowing with lights, the riverfront is attracting only 1,000 visitors a day. He mentioned that, judging from the images, the place deserves to be better known and wrote, “Kota just went on my Wanderer list.”

The netizens were impressed by the visuals and wrote comments like, “I have been there three times. It looks beautiful during the day and awesome during the evening and night,” while another wrote, “It looks so beautiful.”

Also Read: From Liquor Hub To Tourist Spot: Anand Mahindra Calls Daman’s Journey A “Movie Script”

Seems like Kota should now be on every traveller’s bucket list.

Cover Image Courtesy: @YTKDIndia/X and @anandmahindra/X

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