Vadodara Travel Guide

Exploring the Cultural Capital of Gujarat: A Travel Guide to Vadodara

Vadodara, also known as Baroda, is a city located in the western Indian state of Gujarat, known for its rich culture, history, and architecture. The city is considered the cultural capital of Gujarat and is home to several museums, temples and palaces.

One of the must-see attractions in Vadodara is the Maharaja Sayajirao University, which is a university known for its beautiful architecture and is considered one of the best universities in India. Visitors can also take a walk around the nearby Maharaja Fatesingh Museum of Indology, which is a museum dedicated to the history and culture of Gujarat and is known for its collection of ancient manuscripts, paintings, and sculptures.

Another popular attraction is the Sri Sai Nath Hot Springs, which are hot springs known for their medicinal properties and are located about 15km from the city center. Visitors can also take a walk around the nearby Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III Museum, which is a museum dedicated to the history of the Gaekwad dynasty and is known for its collection of art, artifacts, and manuscripts.

For those interested in history and culture, Vadodara is home to several historical monuments and sites, including the Maharaja Sayajirao University Library, which is considered one of the best libraries in India and the Maharaja Fatesingh Museum of Indology, which is a museum dedicated to the history and culture of Gujarat.

Vadodara is also known for its delicious Gujarati cuisine and visitors can enjoy traditional meals like "Dhokla" (a type of steamed cake), "Khandvi" (a type of rolled snack) and "Khichdi" (a type of lentil and rice dish) at local restaurants. Visitors can also shop for traditional handicrafts and souvenirs in the local markets and bazaars.

Overall, Vadodara is a city with a rich culture and history, and visitors can enjoy a range of experiences, from visiting ancient temples and monuments to exploring the local culture and cuisine. The city is also known for its beautiful architecture and is home to several palaces and museums, making it a perfect destination for history and culture buffs.

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Best Places To Visit In Vadodara

From historical cities to natural wonders, come see the best of Vadodara.

Laxmi Vilas Palace

Laxmi Vilas Palace is one of the most majestic structures in India and was the private residence of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. Known to be the largest private dwelling of the size equivalent to four times of the Buckingham Palace, The striking Laxmi Vilas Palace was constructed in 1890 and took nearly twelve years to complete. Sprawling 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.

Sayaji Baug

Sayaji Baug or Sayaji Gardens, as the name suggests, is dedicated to Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III himself. It is the most extensive garden in the western region of India with a sprawling 45 hectares of land. 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. That's not all this 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.

Sursagar Lake

Decked with lush greenery on all sides, the Sursagar lake is an example of exemplary architecture and mesmerising beauty. Enjoy paddle-boating in these jade waters and go around the majestic 120-foot statue of Lord Shiva that looks upon the lake. Relaxing on the boundary wall under the starry night is a great way to get away from the monotonous, fast-paced city lives.

EME Temple

Short for Electrical and Mechanical Corps, in honour of the people who built the temple, the EME Temples is a symbol of the secularity practised in the Indian Army, the EME Temple in Vadodara is an aluminium-clad abode, constructed at the intersection of ancient and modern. Also known as the Dakshinamurthy temple, it primarily houses a massive idol of Lord Shiva, along with a miniature Lord Ganesha (specially brought in from Mahabalipuram). There is also a silver arch with the holy words "Om Namah Shivaya" engraved on it.

Makarpura Palace

Makarpura Palace was a Gaekwad royal palace built by Maharaja Khende Rao in 1870 and designed in the Italian style. It was extended and renovated by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. The palace is now being used as a training school for the Indian Air Force.

Baroda Museum And Picture Gallery

Established in the year 1887 by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, Baroda Museum and Art Gallery is a known repository of artifacts, sculptures, ancient manuscripts in Gujarat. The building of the museum, which is one of the finest examples of the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture, was designed by Mant and Chisholm and built by Sayajirao in 1849. Museum is divided into two parts, the first building is a museum, another one is a photo gallery and both are connected with the passage. In the museum on display are antiques from foreign countries like Japan, China, Nepal, amongst other countries. Apart from antiques, in the museum one can see a collection of Mughal miniatures, original paintings, masterpieces, and sculptures.