Vadodara is a beautiful city of Gujarat, located on the banks of river Vishwamitri. The city is popular for it's the Lakshmi Vilas Palace and plenty more legendary monuments, Vadodara is the cultural capital of Gujarat and the city is gaining popularity as a tourist destination among travelers.
Vadodara also known as Baroda is a cosmopolitan city located in Gujarat. The city is located on the banks of the Vishwamitri river, 141 kilometers from the state capital Gandhinagar. Vadodara is also home to some of the most beautiful displays of architecture. Vadodara is known for one of the most lavish palaces in India- the Lakshmi Vilas Palace and plenty more legendary monuments, Vadodara is the cultural capital of Gujarat. The city is prominently part of it being occupied by the Gujaratis, this place is the most sought after during the nine days of the Navratri festival. No city in India celebrates the festival of Navratri with as much zeal and exuberance as Vadodara does. Vadodara also has one of the premier universities of India- the Maharaja Sayajirao University.
Laxmi Vilas Palace, Vadodara
Laxmi Vilas Palace is one of the most majestic palace in India and was the private residence of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. The Palace is known to be the largest private dwelling of the size equivalent to four times of the Buckingham Palace, this magnificent palace is a must-visit destination in Vadodara.
The Laxmi Vilas Palace is spread across an area of about 700 acres, it is still home to the royal family of Vadodara, the Gaekwads. It is built in the Indo-Saracenic style which is a hybrid of the Hindu, Gothic and Mughal architectural forms with the presence of domes, minarets and arches.
The Laxmi Vilas Palace incorporates several other buildings within its complex including the LVP Banquets and Conventions, Moti Baug Palace and the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum building. Today, it houses an extraordinary collection of paintings by Raja Ravi Verma and various other artifacts gathered from all around the world.
Sayaji Gardens, Vadodara
The Sayaji Gardens is dedicated to Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. This was built in the year 1879 on the river Vishwamitri, and it comprises of a broad spectrum of flora, with more than 99 species of trees to its name. The park also houses two museums, a planetarium, a zoo, a toy train for children and a flower clock. So many utilities under one roof, make this attraction the most sought after in the state of Gujarat.
Vadodara Museum and Picture Gallery, Vadodara
Built by the Gaekwads in 1894, the Vadodara Museum and Picture Gallery is a collection of numerous of relics relating to a wide spectrum of fields right from archeology to geology. It also houses a few rare personal collection pieces of Maharaja Sayajirao III. Most noteworthy relics are the 109 miniature paintings of the Mughal times, a Persian version of Mahabharata specially commissioned by Mughal Emperor Akbar, 11th century Shiva Natraj amongst others.
Baps Sri Swaminarayan Mandir, Vadodara
The Sri Swaminarayan Mandir is adorned with immaculate architecture, flawless design and awe-striking grandeur, the Mandir is like the palace of the lord. The tranquil vibe of the temple instills a revitalizing and deeply energizing calm within you. Right outside the temple is a small and clean eatery that sells mouth-watering Indian delicacies prepared without the use of any onion or garlic.
Sursagar Lake, Vadodara
The lake is surrounded with lush greenery on all sides, the Sursagar lake is an example of exemplary architecture and mesmerizing beauty. Visitors can enjoy paddle-boating in these jade waters and go around the majestic 120-foot statue of Lord Shiva that looks upon the lake, the lake attracts huge crowd due its serene surrounding.
Kirti Mandir, Vadodara
The Kirti Mandir which is widely known as the Temple of Fame, this structure was constructed also to celebrate the fifty years of mighty administration of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. One of the carvings on the cenotaph makes one reminisce about the good old days, where India was not divided into so many states and territories, due credit to the undivided map of India displayed on the central arch. The 33 meter high central arch is also ornamented with the sun, the moon and the earth and the rooms behold the sculptures and photographs of the members of the Gaekwad family.
EME Temple, Vadodara
The Electrical and Mechanical Corps temple, in honor of the people who built the temple, the EME Temples is a symbol of the secularity practiced in the Indian Army, the EME Temple in Vadodara is an aluminum-clad abode, constructed at the intersection of ancient and modern. The temple is also known as the Dakshinamurthy temple, it primarily houses a massive idol of Lord Shiva, along with a miniature Lord Ganesha. There is also a silver arch with the holy words "Om Namah Shivaya" engraved on it.
The unique aspect is how the temple supports secularism by incorporating holy symbols from every religion in its structure. The Kalash on the top symbolizes Hinduism. The Dome signifies Islam. The Tower represents Christianity. The Golden-structure above the tower expresses Buddhism. The Entrance stands for Jainism.
ISKCON Baroda, Vadodara
The ISKCON temple has been preserving Vaishnavism for decades, spreading over a whopping 2500 ft in the city centre of Baroda. Seek Lord Krishna's blessings at the Darshan Mandap which is adorned by tasteful traditional art on all sides. Right outside is a pure vegetarian restaurants, that serves scrumptious Indian food without using any onion and garlic.
Sardar Patel Planetarium, Vadodara
The Sardar Patel Planetarium is a top attraction with awe-striking video clips of space, state-of-the-art sound systems and a curved projection screen that imitates reality, this planetarium plays an hour-long session about the solar system, satellites and astronomical history thrice a day in English and Gujarati. The Planetarium is a top attraction at Vadodara which one should not miss.
Best time to visit Vadodara
The best time to visit Vadodara is during the months of October to March. During this time, the widely celebrated Navratri Festival takes place in the city. The summers are hot with temperatures going up to 42 degrees Celsius which make it uncomfortable to explore the attractions of the city.
Conclusion
Vadodara has a diverse landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and historical sites, which is a heaven for tourists who wants a unique and immersive experience. From the captivating Laxmi Vilas Palace to the Vadodara Museum, each location in Vadodara gives a view into the rich beauty of this region. So pack your bags and follow this travel guide and explore the top places of Vadodara.
