Anshuman Gaekwad might be the best known of the well-known royals of Vadodara (earlier Baroda) but the city owes its reputation and prosperity to another generous member of his family. Maharaja Sayaji Rao Gaekwad, who made Baroda a Sanskari Nagari (sophisticated city) as the locals would have it and why not? Sayaji Rao lived in the glorious Laxmi Vilas Palace. Faiyaz Khan of the renowned Agra Gharana sang for him. Raja Ravi Verma painted for his family. Seek and you will find his memorable heritage preserved in the many museums and art galleries sprinkled all over the city.
Civilization trip over, how can you not be seduced by the delicious flavours of the Gujju thali? Scrounge the main markets and the dilapidated roadside joints that pop up at sundown for your share of meetha and farsaan! Come Navratri and you cannot defy yourself from quaking a leg as the whole city does a Garba on the streets. At the end of it, if you have a day or two in hand make a quick trip to Bharuch or near by Champaner, where film star Aamir Khan Eleven batted it out with the firangs in the recent blockbuster move Lagaan.
HOW TO REACH
By Air: - Equally IA (0265-794 747/ 48) and Jet (0265-337 051/52) fly daily from Mumbai while IA also flies daily from Delhi.
Airport: 6 km from the downtown Sayaji Ganj area.
Lying on the main Delhi-Mumbai route, Vadodara is very well linked with the rest of the country. regular express trains link Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Railway station: In downtown Sayaji, Ganj. Auto rickshaws and taxis obtainable at the station will drop you at the city centre.
By Rail: - Lying on the main Delhi-Mumbai route, Vadodara is very well linked with the rest of the country. regular express trains link Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Railway station: In downtown Sayaji, Ganj. Auto rickshaws and taxis obtainable at the station will drop you at the city centre.
By Road: - brilliant highways link Vadodara with Ahmedabad (113 km), Surat (154 km), Bhavnagar (300 km), Indore (323 km), Nasik (335 km), Ujjain (378 km), Bhopal (509 km) and Pune (547 km). Apart from the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation buses, government services of neighboring Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan also operate normal services to and from Vadodara.
Bus stand:Central Bus Stand at Sayaji Ganj, near the railway station. Auto rickshaws are available for city transfers from here.
Route Distance Driving time (approx)
Ahmedabad to Vadodara is 113 km (time 2 hours)
Surat to Vadodara is 154 km (time - 2.5 hrs)
Bhavnagar to Vadodara is 300 km (Time - 5 hrs)
Mumbai to Vadodara is 417 km (Time 7 hrs)
WHEN TO GO
Vadodara can be traveled during the year but the cooler months of October to March are the best.
WHAT TO SEE |
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Laxmi Vilas Palace - This is the habitation of the royal family that was built by Maharaja Sayajirao III in 1878 in the Indo-Saracenic style finished in 1890. The palace has a widespread collection of sculptures (bronze and marble) as well as some old armour pieces that are interesting. The Fatehsingh Rao Museum on the grounds is good for those interested in old paintings and other art objects. Save time for a visit to the nearby Naulakhi Well - a baoli (step-well). | 
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Mukti Dhama - It is an electric crematorium situated in Ramnath para area. It is run and maintain by NGO under grant of Rajkot Municipal Corporation. It has number of small temples, prayer halls, library and beautiful garden displaying historical events which attracts number of people. |
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Baroda Museum - Was built in 1894 and has an wide art collection plus several works by reputed British and other European artists. Other attractions are the Egyptian mummy, a skeleton of a blue whale, elegant Akota bronzes (5th century AD), Mughal miniatures and a gallery of Tibetan Art. | 
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Nyaya Mandir - It is a superb example of Byzantine architecture and is well worth a visit. Today it doubles as the Baroda District Court. This medieval structure is imposing both in proportion and in style and makes for a great visit specially on weekends when the courts remain closed. | 
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Aurobindo Society - Dedicated to Shri Aurobindo and contains memorabilia connected to his life and work. There are halls for consideration that are open to the public. The library has an attractive collection and the sales emporium, which sells his books, is worth a visit. | 
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Sayajibaug and Sardar Patel Planetarium - A park built by Sayajirao III in 1879, located on the banks of the Vishwamitri. Spread over 113 acres, the attractions other than the greens are many - including a zoo, the Vadodara Museum and Picture Gallery, the Museum of Health and Hygiene and the Sardar Patel Planetarium. Kids get a thrust trying the toy train that traverses the park. | 
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Nazarbaug Palace - The royal art assortment is crammed with works of masters like Raphael, Titian and Murillo. Also displayed are pieces, which can be classified under modern western, Indian paintings, Greco-Roman exhibits, Chinese and Japanese art. The widespread collection of fashionable Indian art is noteworthy. | 
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WHERE TO EAT Kansar in Sayaji Ganj gives you great Gujarati food.
Maruti Restaurant in Nand Complex serves original Kathiawadi cuisine. Try the Undheu, which offers as many 15 vegetables cooked together over the coals in an earthen handi!
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