Maharaja Palace: This is actually a series of palaces built by the Gaekwad family in Baroda. Among the several, the Sarkar Wada is the oldest. Post its construction, the Lakshmi Vilas Palace was built and is definitely one of the most ostentatious in the palace complex. It houses the royal family and shows extensive use of Italian flooring and mosaic decorations on the wall. The palace is the best place to catch a glimpse of the royal armoury and bronze, marble and terracotta sculptures. Several smaller buildings within the palace compound include the Motibaug Palace, the Moti Bagh Stadium and the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum. The palace also had a small zoo, where you can now only see crocodiles in a small pond. Occasional glimpses of peacocks and monkeys can be seen at the palace compound. Also worth watching is the Navlakhi Step-Well located north of the palace, and so named because it is believed to have the capacity to hold 9 million gallons of water! More modern here is the gold course set up for the locals.
Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum: Located within the Lakshmi Vilas Palace compound, this museum is the treasure trove of the royal arts and artifacts. Its fabulous collection includes Greek, Roman and European sculptures in marble and bronze. Watch the original paintings of India's celebrated artist Raja Ravi Varma, which includes portraits of the royal family and paintings on Hindu mythology. The ground floor gallery has Chinese and Japanese bronze statues and enamel work. The first floor gallery has a vast collection of 17th-18th century French furniture.
Open from: 10.30 am-5.30 pm (closed on Monday)
Makarpura Palace: Designed and built in Italian style, this palace is now used as a training school for the Indian Air Force.
Nazarbaugh Palace: Located in the old walled city near the Mandvi Clock Tower, this palace is another example of classic-style construction. Earlier used for ceremonial occasions by the Gaekwad family, the palace houses solid gold and silver guns, each barrel weighing upto 100 kgs, and a Sheesh Mahal, whose walls are inlaid with millions of mirrors of all sizes.
Pratap Vilas Palace: A rather extravagant palace, it is defined by well-landscaped gardens and a golf course. The palace entrance sports exquisite carvings and it houses a fine collection of old armory and bronze and marble sculptures. Especially watch the Durbar Hall, which has minutely sculpted cedar balconies, chandeliers and a silver throne. Today, the palace is used as a management training institute by the Indian Railways. A mini-railway model room showing several railway operations can be seen here.
Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery: Another example of Indo-Saracenic architecture, this museum houses a wide array arts and treasures. Most notable are the famous Akota bronzes that date to the 5th century A.D, a collection of Mughal miniatures and a full fledged gallery of Tibetan Art by several European masters. Apart from these the Egyptian mummy and the skeleton of a blue whale are major attractions. Also on display are palm sized original Buddhist and Jain manuscripts. The Picture Gallery displays an excellent collection of originals by famous British painters.
Open from: 10.00 am-5.00 pm (closed on Monday & Government holidays)
Sayaji Baug: The largest garden in Western India, this famous park is situated on the Vishwamitri River. Sprawling across 113 acres, attractions within the park include a zoo and aquarium, the Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery, the Museum of Health and Hygiene, a Floral Clock, a Band-Stand and the Sardar Patel Planetarium. Also enjoy a fun ride session on the toy-train and the joy-rides. The planetarium conducts several audio-visual programmes on the earth's planetary system, the movement of celestial bodies in space and the earth's planetary system. The Zoo houses tigers, lions, panther and deer along with a wide range of bright and colourful birds. The aquarium is particularly interesting with its 45 species of fishes including several rare varieties.
Open from: Planetarium - show timings: Gujarati-4.00 pm, English-5.00 pm, Hindi-6.00 pm
Aurobindo Society: Dedicated to Sri Aurobindo, this institute is surrounded by manicured gardens and provides a peaceful environment. Yoga and meditation classes are held and taught here regularly. Various useful items prepared at the centre in Pondicherry are sold in an emporium on the ground floor. A tiny museum in the centre has on display the relics of Sri Aurobindo and also houses a library and study room.
Kirti Mandir: Built in memory of the royal ancestors, bronze images of the sun, moon and earth, along with an undivided map of India adorn the spire of the temple.
Nyay Mandir: Literally meaning Temple of Justice, this building houses the District Court of the city. The main hall has fine mosaic tiles and a statue of Chimnabai, wife of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III.
Hazira Maqbara: This is a Tomb of Qutbuddin and exhibits beautiful stone-carved windows and an old step-well.
Champaner: Located 45 kms from Vadodara, Champaner houses several 15th and 16th century mosques built by Muslim conquerors - the Jama Masjid being one of the grandest, with richly ornamented pillars and minarets - a perfect blend of Gujarati style of architecture and traditional Islamic styles. The domed granary building of Makai Kota, the Patai Rawal Palace and the Lakulisha Temple are all that remain of the Hindu legacy of Champaner. Do visit the Nagina Masjid, also known as the Jewel Mosque as it is built of pure white stone. The ruins of its mosques and palaces reflected in the lake are some of the most picturesque sights in this city.
Dabhoi Fort: Located 29 kms from Vadodara, the fort is considered to be an unsurpassed example of Hindu Gujarati architecture. Built by the King of Patan in the 13th century the fort has four gates and within it is an octagonal-shaped tank with stone steps.
|