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INDUSTRIAL CAPITAL OF
GUJARAT
Vadodara is a graceful city of palaces, parks, temples and museums and
considered by many as the de-facto cultural capital of Gujarat. Once the
capital of the Gaekwads, the former rulers of Vadodara, it is also known
as Baroda and rises from the banks of River Vishwamitri. Vadodara is also
the industrial capital of Gujarat.
TRACES OF HISTORY
Archaeological findings indicate that human habitations existed in the
city since prehistoric times. Vadodara passed through the hands of the
Guptas, Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Solankis, the Sultans of Delhi and the
Mughals before passing on to the Marathas. It owes its present day
grandeur to Maharaja Sayajirao, a great patron of art, architecture and
music.
Vadodara, originally 'Vadapadraka' means a village amidst the banyan
trees. Historical findings take us back to the 9th century where we find
reference to a town called Ankottaka, which can be identified as present
day Akota. Located on the right bank of the river this place was prone to
floods and therefore in the later period Vadapadraka displaced Ankottaka
as the administrative headquarters.
PRIME
ATTRACTIONS
Lakshmi Vilas Palace: Designed in Indo-Saracenic style of
architecture, the palace built by Maharaja Sayajirao in 1890 is till date
the residence of the royal family. Its ornate Darbar Hall has an Italian
mosaic floor and walls with mosaic decorations. The palace houses a
remarkable collection of old armoury and sculptures in bronze, marble &
terracotta.
Vadodara Museum And
Picture Gallery: Founded by the Gaekwads in 1894 AD, the museum
has an impressive collection on art and archaeology, natural history,
geology and ethnology. The adjoining art gallery has a great collection of
old European masters: Veronese, Giordano, Zurbaran, some Flemish and Dutch
School of paintings, Turner and Constable, a collection of Mughal
miniatures and valuable palm-leaf manuscripts of Buddhist and Jain origin.
Kirti
Mandir: Meaning 'Hall of Fame', it's a memorial for the Gaekwad
rulers. Designed in the Hindu style, it is a magnificent stone building
with domes, terraces, balconies and a central 'shikhara'. It is decorated
with murals by the famous Indian artist, Nandlal Bose.
Nazarbagh Palace: Built in the old classical style, the palace was
used on ceremonial occasions by the Gaekwads. It now houses the royal
family heirlooms.
Makarpura Palace: A beautiful palace designed in the Italianate
style, the Makarpura is now used as a training school of the Indian Air
Force.
Maharaja
Fateh Singh Museum: This museum houses the royal collection of art
treasures of old masters like Raphael, Titian and Murillo as well as
modern western and Indian painting; Greco-Roman exhibits, Chinese and
Japanese art; and a large collection of contemporary Indian art.
Pratap Vilas Palace at Lalbag: Built as the residence of the royal
family, the Pratap Vilas is an extravagant and flambuoyant building built
in the Indo-Saracenic style. The palace houses a remarkable collection of
old armoury and sculptures in bronze, marble and terracotta.
Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad University: The erstwhile ruler of
Baroda, Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad built Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad
University, also known as MSU, over a hundred years ago. The University is
one of the bigger universities in Western India and the only one in
Vadodara. The notable faculties here are the Faculty of Fine Arts and the
Faculty of Performing Arts.
Shoolpaneshwar
Wildlife Sanctuary: Located in the Bharuch district, the
Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary stretches over an area of 608sq. kms. It
boasts of abundant plant and animal life. Here you can see leopards, sloth
bears, sambar, wild dogs, hyena, barking deer and a variety of birds.
EXCURSIONS
Tambekarwada: Famous for its wall paintings, this place is
situated 35 kms from Vadodara.
Anand: Anand is one of the most
successful examples of a cooperative venture in the country. The Anand
Milk Co-Operative has transformed the life of farmers in this region. It
is well worth a visit.
Dakor: It is situated about 94 kms from both Vadodara and
Ahmedabad . Dakor is a temple town sacred
because of its connections with Lord Krishna. His image, said to be the
original from Dwarka, was brought here by
a devotee and installed in the temple of Ranchodrai.
Champaner:
It is situated 47 kms from Vadodara. The town of Champaner was
subjugated by Sultan Mehmud Begara in 1484 and made it his new capital.
Champaner lies at the foot of Pavagarh fort. The ruins of its mosques and
palaces reflected in the lake are some of the most picturesque sights in
India.
Pavagarh Fort: The hill of Pavagarh rises from Champaner in three
stages. The plateau at an altitude of 1471 feet is known as the Machi
Haveli. Pavagarh is 49 kms from Vadodara, and is also known as the
birthplace of Gujarat's famous musician, Baiju, who preceded Tansen.
TRAVEL INFORMATION
How To Get There
Air: Various domestic airlines connecting Ahmedabad
, Delhi , Mumbai , Daman,
Pune.
Rail: Vadodara is on the Western Railways, Mumbai, Delhi and
Mumbai, Ahmedabad line.
Road: State transport buses and private luxury coaches connects
various centres of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya
Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan . Vadodara is 112
Kms. from Ahmedabad and 420 Kms. from Mumbai.
For Travel Agents & Tour
Operators in Vadodara - Click here
WHERE TO STAY
Vadodara's hotels are designed with business visitors in mind. There are
several mid-range and up market places, and just a handful of inexpensive
lodges. Most of the hotels are grouped in the Sayaji Gunj area just south
of the railway station.
For Hotels & Restaurants in
Vadodara - Click here
USEFUL INFORMATION
Tourist Information Desk: At the Railway Station.
Banks & Money Changers: Bank Of Baroda, International
Services Branch, Sayaji Gunj; Bank Of South India, RC Dutt Road.
Post Office: GPO, Off Raopura Road.
Click Here for District
Map Of Vadodra City
Click Here for Map Of Vadodra
City
Click Here for Road Map Of
Vadodra City
Click Here for Railway
Network Map Of Vadodra City
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