Vadodara is a city that is neither congested like a metro city nor devoid of amenities like a small town. Living in Vadodara is fun, there are lots of great places to visit, so lets know about these places worth visiting in Vadodara.
Top places to visit in Vadodara
- Lakshmi Vilas Palace
- Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum
- Sursagar Lake
- Sayaji Baug – Gardens
- Vadodara Museum and Picture Gallery
- Tambekar Wada
- Kirti Mandir
- Atapi Wonderland
Lakshmi Vilas Palace
Maharaja Sayajirao Gaikwad III, who ruled the state of Baroda, commissioned the construction of this mesmerizing palace in 1890. The chief architect credited for the palace’s design was Major Charles Mant.
It is still the residence of the royal family of Vadodara. They built the Lakshmi Vilas Palace – the largest private residence ever built in 500 acres in the 19th century at an estimated cost of Rs 60 lakhs. The palace is four times bigger than Buckingham Palace in London. It is the most impressive Raj-era palace in Gujarat with very impressive collection of weapons as well as art.
It has a large grounds like park, and includes a golf course. The kings built the Navalkhi step well in the premises to re-green the parched lands of Gujarat. Other buildings within the building include LVP Banquets and Conventions, Moti Bagh Palace and Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum building. It also houses the Moti Bagh Cricket Ground, the offices of the Baroda Cricket Association and a rare indoor teak-floored tennis court and badminton court.
Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum
Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, located in the compound of Lakshmi Vilas Palace, was established in 1961. The building was earlier used as a school for the children of the political family. But later it was renovated to turn it into a museum.
The museum showcases the artefacts of the prestigious Maratha family. European culture and rococo paintings, portraits, marble busts and paintings of Raja Ravi Varma are part of the collection (more than 30 original paintings). Much of this art was collected by the Maharaja himself. There is a fully functioning toy train (with the world’s smallest engine) for a prince outside.
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Sursagar Lake
The breath taking Sursagar Lake was built in the 18th century. It is also known as Chand Lake. It is in the heart of Vadodara city located in the old part of the city. There is a 120 feet tall gold studded statue of Lord Shiva in the middle of Sursagar. Perennial ponds have many gates at the bottom, which are opened in case of overflowing and the water is poured into Vishwamitri river.
Sayaji Baug
Maharaja Sayaji Rao Gaikwad III built this most beautiful Sayaji Baug, also known as Kamati Baug. He built this garden in 1879 for the citizens of Baroda. It was built on the banks of Vishwamitri River as a beautiful backdrop of greenery, museums and galleries.
There are famous museums and picture galleries here. Aquarium, zoo, health museum, planetarium are located here. There are other places that attract children like the toy train and flower beds. The Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery is home to a collection of art. Most of these attractions have been collected by Maharaja Sayajirao III.
It is the largest public garden in the western part of the country spreading over 113 acres. There are over 96 species of trees and a small zoo too. Which is an interesting place to visit for nature lovers.
Vadodara Museum and Picture Gallery
Everyone considers this museum to be one of the most famous museums in the country. Royal family built the museum in 1894. Famous architect R. F. Chisholm designed the museum. The Picture Gallery building in Sayaji Baug was constructed in 1910. It has a collection of originals by famous British painters Turner and Constable and many others.
Egyptian mummies and blue whale skeletons are major attractions for tourists visiting the museum. It also includes a collection of Mughal miniatures, a full-fledged gallery of Tibetan arts, etc. The museum has a comprehensive collection of art, sculpture, ethnography and ethnology. Some of the pictures in the picture gallery are not only original but masterpieces.
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Tambekar Wada
The building was the residence of Bhau Tambekar, former Diwan of Baroda. They later used it as a school and later shifted it.
Tambekar Wada in Raopura area is 140 years old. It exhibits frescoes from the 19th century. The slightly damaged but attractive building is a window into earlier Maratha architecture. Delicate woodwork and weathered paintings adorn the house. The paintings are done in tempera on dry lime using water based pigments.
Kirti Mandir
Sayajirao Maharaja built the Kirti Mandir in memory of the deceased members of the royal Gaikwad family. He left the building dedicated to Lord Mahadev.
The royal mausoleum of the Gaekwad dynasty is one of the most spectacular buildings in Baroda. Royal family built this building in 1936 in the heart of the city to commemorate the Silver Jubilee celebrations of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaikwad III. The building has an E shape. It has beautiful architectural works like balconies, roofs, domes. The central sikhar has magnificent carvings as high as 35 meters. There are paintings by Nandlal Bose on themes like Gangavataran, Mira’s life, Mahabharata war and Natri Pujan, also some rare paintings by famous artist Raja Ravi Varma.
Atapi Wonderland
Atapi Wonderland located in Vadodara is the largest theme park in Gujarat, spreading over 70 acres. The park has more than 40 exiting and beautiful rides and attractions. Which attracts around 7,000 visitors every day.
Here is the spectacular water laser show, the fascinating Jugnu World, India’s first Glow Garden. There are rides like Lost Valley Dinosaur attraction, Vrindavan Garden with dancing fountain, India’s first Tubi jump and many more. Which attracts both children and youth.
Many facilities like multi-cuisine open restaurant food court, golf cart, medical center, baby feeding room and prayer room are available here. Corporate and social events are here with facilities to host in lush green lawns with choices of thematic backdrops.
Atapi Wonderland opens from 11 am to 7 pm, and stays closed on every Wednesday.
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