Vadodara City Travel Guide -
Gujrat
General Information Of
Vadodara
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Area 365 sq. km
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Population 1925891
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Altitude 158 m above sea
level
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Languages Hindi, English,
and Gujarati
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Best Time to Visit
October-March
STD Code 0265
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Introduction to city Vadodara -
In Gujrat
Modern Baroda is a great and fitting memorial to its late ruler,
Sayaji Rao Gaekwad III (1875-1939 AD). It was the dream of this
able administrator to make Baroda an educational, industrial and
commercial centre and he ensured that his dream would come true.
Baroda is situated on the banks of the river Vishwamitri (whose
name is derived from the great saint Rishi Vishwamitra). The
city was once called Chandravati, after its ruler Raja Chandan,
then Viravati, the abode of the brave, and then Vadpatra because
of the abundance of banyan trees on the banks of the Vishwamitri.
From Vadpatra it derived its present name Baroda or Vadodara.
Baroda has a rich historical background. The ardent historian
can trace Baroda’s history over 2000 years and more. However,
the recent threads can be picked up when the Moghul rule over
the city came to an end in 1732, when Pilaji brought the Maratha
activities in Southern Gujarat to a head and captured it. Except
for a short break, Baroda continued to be in the hands of the
Gaekwads from 1734 to 1949.
Sightseeing : Places to visit in
destination - Vadodara
Baroda offers various sightseeing options, the sightseeing
includes
Baroda Museum
and Picture Gallery which has impressive collections of
art and archeology, natural history, geology and ethnology. Also
visit Durbar Hall in Laxmi Vilas Palace, was the court
room of the Gaekwads. Also visit
EME Temple
which is a geodesic structure covered with aluminium sheets.
Visit Laxmi Vilas Palace, contains a collection of old armour as
well as bronze and marble sculptures. Visit Sayajibag
which contains Museum of Health & Hygiene and a picture
gallery.
Vadodara Sightseeing :
Places to visit in destination Vadodara
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Places to visit in the city Vadodara |
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BARODA MUSEUM AND PICTURE
GALLERY - Vadodara
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Founded by the Gaekwad in 1894, it has impressive
collections of art and archeology, natural history,
geology and ethnology. The adjoining art gallery has great
collection of European old masters, Veronese, Giordano,
Zurbaran, some Flemish and Dutch school paintings, Turner
adn Constable, a collection of Mughal miniatures and
valuable palm-leaf manuscripts of Buddhist and Jain
origin. It has an excellent collection of art objects and
paintings, including the famous Akota bronzes dating from
5th Century A.D. Other treasures include a full-fledged
gallery of Tibetan Art. Visit Maqbara, which is the oldest
Mughal monument in the town. |
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DARBAR HALL - Vadodara
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The Darbar Hall in Laxmi Vilas Palace, was the court room
of the Gaekwads. Here musicians performed and entertained
the royal family. The beautiful jharokhas, the magnificent
chandeliers and the intricate work on the glass windows
enhance the beauty of the hall. Even today classical music
concerts are held here. |
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EME TEMPLE - Vadodara
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Unique in concept and design, the EME Temple is a geodesic
structure covered with aluminium sheets. Run entirely by
the army authorities, this temple is a major attraction
for both tourist and devotees. |
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LAXMI VILAS PALACE -
Vadodara
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It is designed in Indo-Saracenic style and was built by
Maharaja Sayajirao III. Started in 1878 and completed in
1890, it is the residence of the royal family. The palace
contains a collection of old armour as well as bronze and
marble sculptures. Fatehsinh Rao Museum, located on the
palace grounds, houses the royal collection of paintings,
sculptures and other objects of arts. |
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MAQBARA - Vadodara
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Built around 1586, the tomb of Qutbuddin (the army general
of the great king Akbar) has beautiful windows carved in
stone; there is an old step-well in the large grounds
surrounding it. It is one of the oldest Moghul monuments
of the city. |
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SAYAJIBAG - Vadodara
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Sayaji Baug (the famous park) is situated on river
Vishwamitri and was built by Sayajirao III in 1879.
Sprawling over 113 acres, it also includes an excellent
zoo, the Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery, the Museum of
Health and Hygiene and the Sardar Patel Planetarium. A
major attraction for children is the 3.5 kms joy ride
through the park on the toy train |
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SAYAJI SAROVAR - Vadodara
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The Sayaji Sarovar or Ajwa lake, 22 kms away from the city
is the principal source of water. It is formed by damming
the Surya river and Vaghali Nala. Work on the scheme was
started in 1885 and was completed in 1890. The gardens at
Ajwa are patterned after the famous Brindavan Gardens of
Mysore. The illumination of fountains is a major
attraction for tourists. |
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Excursions : Places nearby city -
Vadodara
In excursions visit Kayavarohan where you will find a
beautiful
Shiv Temple
built recently houses an attractive idol of Lakulish. Also visit
Pavagarh, where you will find Juma Masjid and
Shaha-ki-Masjid. Also visit Rajpipla which is famous
for many a palaces and a majestic fort. Also visit
Shukaltirth, which is famous for its Vishnu Temple.
Vadodara Excursion : Places
nearby Vadodara - Gujrat
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Places to visit nearby destination - Vadodara |
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Kayavarohan
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Popularly known as Karvan, it is situated on National
Highway No. 8. It is both a place of pilgrimage and a
picnic spot. A beautiful Shiv Temple built recently houses
an attractive idol of Lakulish. Ancient sculptures and
relics belonging to the 2nd century have been excavated
from this historical place. |
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Pavagadh
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A mountainous place with the historical town of Champaner
nearby. The town has beautiful mosques Juma Masjid and
Shah-ki-Masjid built in early Mohamedan Era. It is 50 kms
away from Baroda and accessible by bus and train.
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Rajpipla
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It is the second most important princely capital in
Eastern Gujarat after Baroda. Rajpipla has a number of
palaces including a majestic city palace now given over to
the forest rangers. |
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Shukaltirth
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Legend surrounds the Vishnu temple here on the banks of
the river Narmada. A fair is held every November in this
pilgrim center, which is 89 km from Baroda. |
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