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About Vadodara
Situated on the south of
city of Ahmedabad lies the city of Vadodara. Vadodara is a graceful
city of palaces, parks, temples and museums. It is also known as
Baroda and rises from the banks of River Vishwamitri. Vadodara is
the industrial and cultural capital of Gujarat. Vadodara, originally
'Vadapadraka' means a village amidst the banyan trees. Baroda is
known as the garden city of Gujarat.
Places of Interest
in Vadodara
Nazarbaug
Palace
Built in old classical style, the palace was used on ceremonial
occasions by the Gaekwads. The royal family heirlooms are on
display.
Lakshmi Vilas Palace
The Royal Family's residence is an extravagant building in Indo-
Saracenic style. The palace built by Maharaja Sayajirao in 1890 is
till date the residence of the royal family. Its ornate Darbar Hall
has an Italian mosaic floor and walls with mosaic decorations. The
palace houses a remarkable collection of old armoury and sculptures
in bronze, marble & terracotta.
Pratap
Vilas Palace
Built as the residence of the royal family, the Pratap Vilas is a
magnificent building in the Indo - Sarcenic style. The Palace houses
a collection of old armory and sculptures in bronze, marble &
terra-cotta.
Vadodara museum and art gallery and the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum
The museums boast of an excellent art collection of works by Indian
artists and European Masters. Founded by the Gaekwads in 1894 A.D.,
the museum has an impressive collection on Art and Archaeology,
Natural History, Geology and Ethnology. The adjoining art gallery
has a great collection of old European 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.
Kirti
Mandir
Meaning 'Hall of Fame', it's a memorial for the Gaekwad rulers.
Designed in the Hindu style, it is a magnificent stone building with
domes, terraces, balconies and a central 'shikhara'. It is decorated
with murals by the famous Indian artist, Nandlal Bose.
Makarpura Palace
A beautiful palace designed in the Italianate style, the Makarpura
is now used as a training school of the Indian Air Force.
Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad University
The erstwhile ruler of Baroda, Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad built
Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad University, also known as MSU, over a
hundred years ago. The University is one of the bigger universities
in Western India and the only one in Vadodara. The notable faculties
here are the Faculty of Fine Arts and the Faculty of Performing
Arts.
Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary
Located in the Bharuch district, the Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife
Sanctuary stretches over an area of 608sq. kms. It boasts of
abundant plant and animal life. Here you can see leopards, sloth
bears, sambar, wild dogs, hyena, barking deer and a variety of
birds. |
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