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Metropolis in Gujarat, India
Photo: Pranav Bhavsar, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Vadodara (Gujarati: વડોદરા Vaḍodarā), also known as Baroda, is a city in Central Gujarat, India. It is named for the vaḍ (વડ, meaning "banyan") trees that flourish in the area. It is known as the cultural capital of Gujarat.
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The museum displays Indian musical instruments, Mughal miniatures, sculptures, textiles and objects from Japan, Tibet, Nepal, Egypt. The museum's artifacts were collected by Maharaja Sayajirao, devoted to travel. The Picture Gallery displays paintings by British artists, also from Sayajirao's private collection.
Vadodara is quite serene. It was built by the Military and one can enjoy a pleasant hour in its premises.
The royal family of Baroda has a notable collection of his works. Apart from these, there are many art works of masters collected and commissioned by Maharaja Sayajirao. If you are art lover, keep aside a day for the palace and museum. The museum itself is in the palace premises. to view several Raja Ravi Verma originals.
Qutubuddin Tomb
The mausoleum contains the graves of Qutb-ud-din Muhammad Khan and his son Naurang Khan. It is an octagonal structure in the style of Mughal tombs.
Another palatial building created by Sayajirao III in 1906 at a cost of 3 lakhs. It was a present by him to the Municipality to mark the Silver Jubilee as his administration. The offices of Vadodara Municipal Corporation are located in this building.
Temple of Fame
The cenotaph of the Maharajas of Baroda.
The imposing palace was built in the Indo-Saracenic tradition, with an eclectic mix of Indian, Islamic, and European elements by Maharaja Sayajirao III in 1890. Major Charles Mant was the architect. The interior, full of multi-coloured marble and mosaic tile, include a museum, containing portraits of the Royal family and original paintings by Raja Ravi Varma.
MSU
The world-famous Maharaja Sayajirao University has one of the largest campuses in Gujarat, full of beautiful historical buildings including Kala Bhavan, a former palace which is pictured in this article.
The former royal summer palace now houses a training school by the Indian Air Force. It's a magnificent building modeled after Italian Renaissance prototypes, well worth a sight from outside.
Sevasi Well
Stepped well with some beautiful carvings on its pillars
The oldest temple of the city.
The private mansion (Haveli) of a chief minister (diwan) of Baroda who lived during the last Mughal Empire. It's a wooden four-storey building notable for its miniature-style painted murals, depicting scenes from Lord Krishna’s life, from the Mahabharata, and from the Anglo-Maratha war. Tambekarwada is a heritage monument under the protection of the Archaeological Survey of India. Only a small part of the historical mansion is open to the public.
The pyramid-like building has four floors housing an amphitheatre, a planetarium chamber, an exhibition space and an observatory. Daily shows.
One of the oldest public libraries in India.
One of the few survived gateways to the old city.
a former royal guesthouse now converted into the Railway Staff college. The palace is scheduled to be demolished in early 2015.
Temple of Justice
A building designed in a grand Byzantine architectural style. It now serves as the District Court of Vadodara.
Chand Talao
Built in the 18th century, the Sursagar is also known as Chand Talao. It marks the center of the city of Vadodara, surrounded by the thrum of commerce in the Old City. A tall statue of Lord Shiva, which is lit up on Maha Shivratri, works as a veritable beacon over the lake. The perennial lake has several gates at the bottom that are opened in case of overflooding. The water then pours into the Vishvamitra River. In 2023, the statue was covered in gold weighing 17.5 kg worth approximately ₹12 crores.
Good 3D effect.
Baroda’s premier club and Gujarat’s oldest private golf club
By far the best movie theater in town. Also at Seven Seas Mall 4th Floor
Dance shows, and musical events
Water park with many slides, family pool, wave pool and six cuisine restaurant.
Kamatibaug
Set on the banks of the Vishwamitri river, the garden is home to the Baroda Museum, the Sardar Patel Planetarium, and the Sayaji Baug Zoo. A toy train runs around the garden covering a distance of 3.5 km.
The 1000-seat auditorium is Baroda music and dance main venue.
Sursagar Talav
This artificial lake has a huge gold plated statue of Shiva in the middle of it. The statue is lit with lights during the Mahashivratri festival which takes place in February or March every year.
This is Baroda's first ice cream parlor that serves soft cones. You can enjoy a variety of flavors over here.
Recommended for Frankies, at (Fatheganj, Karelibaug & Old Padra Road).
Goodies, also in Sayajiganj, Makarpura, Fatehganj and Natubhai Circle, are favorite hangouts for youngsters apart for their bakery delights & junk food!
Veg Restaurant. Samosas, alu (bataka) wadas, dahi wadas and gulab jamuns. The "prasad snack bar", where many items are available daily from 5PM until 9PM (9:30-10PM on Sundays and holidays) is located in the northeast corner of ISKCON Temple.
Here you can get a variety of food choices from Chinese to continental along with Chaats, South Indian foods, etc. It is a self-service restaurant with good quality food. The best thing is the sizzler at the very low price of ₹130 and good in taste.
Food stand, delicious Sev Usal
Most popular for Biryani. Also in Alkapuri
Veg and Nonveg Punjabi food. Try out the dilli chaat. Also inside Inorbit Mall.
Although menu is extensive at Nayab Restaurant, their delicious tandoori items are highly recommended and make for an excellent dining at very low prices. Takeaways are available
He's an ex-Welcomgroup chef who runs his own place now.
Eggetarian delights in Karelibaug in VIP Rd.
Tasty non-vegetarian food.
Try their samosa sandwich.
Offers breakfast & buffet at ₹150 & ₹200 respectively.
Offers excellent variety in non-vegetarian delicacies. Plus they have their own Havmor ice-cream joint outside. Try Cookie Crunch or Coffee flavoured one - they are the ones to fall for & also at Sayajigunj, near railway station).
Hotel Sayaji
You get both vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies.
Non-vegetarian food from South India.
Good taste. Recommended for non-vegetarian food.
Also try the thali at Kismat Kathiyawadi in typically rural ambiance. Meal for 2 at 100 bucks. Must visit!
Gujarati Thali, Hotel Express Towers
At ₹150, this thali is delicious and an exceptional value in delightful surroundings. Recommended by locals.
Very good non-veg fare at the buffet.
Inside WelcomeHotel.
Although a budget class hotel, price is a little bit high. Well-designed rooms but not large enough. Ginger Hotel Chain is owned and operated by Tata Group
Budget hotel. 21 A/C rooms covered with Wi-Fi. Book well in advance
Dormitory and single beds. Central air conditioning. Laundry. Separate female dorms. Internet kiosk
white house service apartment
Rooms range from economy class to Deluxe. Check their website for details
Taj Residence
Part of the Taj Group of Hotels,
Leading 5-star hotel in Vadodara.
A lot of international and local brands and some recreational options.
best mall in town. A wide array of retail outlets and international brands. A large food court offers world cuisine (Chinese, Italian, fast food). Entertainment arcade with 10-lane bowling alley and HD cinema.
Visit here for cloth and handicraft shopping.
By train
By car
8 passes through Baroda. It is connected by excellent roads.
By bus
Several private services offer intercity taxis from Ahmedabad to Vadodara, for about ₹1500.
Local transport consists mainly of city buses and three-wheelers called auto-rickshaws which are very cheap and easily available. All the drivers refuse to use meters.
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Vadodara · International · BDQ
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