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Attractions in Vadodara
Laxmi
Vilas Palace - It
is designed in Indo-Saracenic style and was
built by Maharaja Sayajirao III. Started in
1878 and completed in 1890, it is home to the
royal family. The palace contains a collection
of old armour as well as bronze and marble sculptures.
The Nazarbagh Palace - Situated
in the old walled city near Mandvi Clock Tower,
it is the oldest palace built in old classic
style by Malhar Rao Gaekwad in the late 19th
century. This palace was used on ceremonial
occasions by the Gaekwads
, for long the ruling family. |
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Today it houses the royal family
heirlooms.
Maharaja Fatehsinh Museum
- Fatehsinh Rao Museum, located on the palace grounds,
houses the royal collection of paintings, sculptures
and other objects of arts. It also has a collection
of art treasures and works of old masters like Raphael,
Titian and Murillo as well as modern western and Indian
paintings, Greco-Roman exhibits, Chinese and Japanese
art, and a large collection of contemporary Indian
art.
Pratap
Vilas Palace - Built as the residence of
the royal family, the Pratap Vilas is an extravagant
and flamboyant building in the Indo-Saracenic style.
The palace has a remarkable collection of old armoury
and sculptures in bronze, marble and terracotta. Today
it houses the Railway Staff College, the main training
center of the Indian Railways. The college is equipped
with a beautiful mini-railway model room showing different
types of railway operations including track signaling.
Kirti Mandir - Kirti Mandir, or temple
of fame, was built in 1936 by Maharaja Sayaji Rao
to commemorate the glorious memory of his beloved
ancestors.
Makarpura
Palace - A beautiful palace designed in the
Italian style, the Makarpura palace is now a training
school of the Indian Air Force.
| Vadodara
Museum (1887-94) and Art Gallery (1908-14) -
Baroda Museum has impressive collections
of art and archeology, natural history, geology
and ethnology. The adjacent art gallery has
great collection of European old masters, Veronese,
Giordano, Zurbaran, some Flemish and Dutch school
paintings, Turner and 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 |
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Tibetan
Art.
Maharaja Sayajirao University - Established
in 1949, MSU is one of India's excellent universities.
With roughly 25000 students on its rolls, many of
its departments are internationally renowned. The
campus has several architecturally interesting buildings.
E.M.E. Temple - Unique in concept
and design, the EME Temple is a geodesic structure
covered with aluminum sheets. Run entirely by the
army authorities, this temple is a major attraction
for both tourist and devotees.
Sursagar lake - Earlier known
as Chandan Talao, it was rebuilt in the 18th century
with stone banks and masonry. It is now used for
boating and is a splendid sight especially on moonlit
nights.
Activities in Vadodara
Navratri - Baroda is a famous centre
of music and culture, and many streets have their
own garba mandals, or garba groups. For nine nights
in the month of October, Vadodara comes alive with
the festival of Navratri. This festival is dedicated
to the beautiful mother-goddess, Amba. A bhavai performance
is held at Baroda's Ambaji temple, during Navratri.
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Quick
Getaways near Vadodara
Ahmedabad - Located 100 km north
of Baroda, Ahmedabad is known for its rich past and
its association with Mahatma Gandhi. The city offers
to the traveler a unique style of architecture, which
is a blend of Hindu and Islamic styles (Indo-Saracenic
style of architecture). It is famous for its mosques
and baolis.
Anand - The town of Anand, on
the way to Ahmedabad from Baroda, is famous for
its Amul range of dairy products. Anand is the hometown
of the white revolution in India and the modern
plant is worth visiting.
Dakor - Dakor, 50 km from Baroda
and halfway to Ahmedabad, is famous for its Temple
of Ranchodrai and is considered a sacred place for
the followers of Lord Krishna.
Getting
There & Away to Vadodara
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Baroda airport is
8 km northeast of the railway station and is linked
with Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Pune. |
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Baroda railway
station is located on the northwestern part
of the city. As Baroda is on the main Ahmedabad-Mumbai
line a number of trains pass and stop at Baroda. |
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Baroda railway
station is located on the northwestern part
of the city. As Baroda is on the main Ahmedabad-Mumbai
line a number of trains pass and stop at Baroda. |
Getting Around in Vadodara
The most common modes of commuting in the city are
metered auto rickshaws and taxis.
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