Vadodara: Discover The Cosmopolitan City Of Gujarat!

Vadodara is the third biggest city in Gujarat and is identified for being the cultural capital of Gujarat as well as a center for educational practices. It is situated on the banks of the river Vishwamitri and has an attractive landscape.

Historically, the city of Vadodara was better known by the name Vadapradaka, which interprets as “a settlement among Banyan trees.” 

The Imperial Guptas, the Chalukyas, the Rashtrakutas, the Solankis, the Sultans of Delhi, the Mughals, and finally, the Marathas all detained sway over the city of Vadodara at one point or another.

Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III was a wonderful king, a socio-economic reformer, and a supporter of the arts, architecture, and music is accountable for the splendor that prevails in the city of Vadodara today.

Surya Narayan Temple Vadodara

Enthusiastic to the Sun God, the well-known Surya Narayan Temple is popular not only for having bestowed its heavenly grace upon the supporters but also to dismiss them from their illnesses.

Measured to be one of the best places to visit in Vadodara, this temple also carries dinner and residence amenities to visitors as it lures large crowds throughout the year.

Makarpura Palace

Makarpura Palace was originally constructed with the motive that it will serve as a summer palace for the grand family of the Gaekwads.

Constructed in 1870 and carrying an Italian touch of architecture, it was modernized years after it was constructed because the palace was left unused as the royal family favored outlaying most of their summer time in the moderately cooler Nilgiris of Tamil Nadu.

It now attends a training school named No.17 Tetra School used by the Indian Air Force and civilians are not permitted because of security reasons.

Vododara Museum & Picture Gallery

The Vadodara Museum & Picture Gallery has been structured on the lines of London’s Science Museum and the Victoria and Albert Museum. It presents a rich collection of artifacts connected to geology, archaeology, and natural history.

You can also find here different items belonging to the personal assortment of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, who was instrumental in setting up this museum. This is also one of the best places to visit in Vadodara.

The image gallery houses different masterpieces by European artists and an exceptional collection of original paintings by British landscape painters, Turner and Constable. The foremost attractions of the Vadodara Museum comprise the skeleton of a blue whale and an Egyptian mummy.

EME Temple

Featuring curiously contemporary architecture, EME Temple is a conceit of Vadodara tourist places. Enthusiastic to Lord Dakshinamurthy, a form of Shiva as a superlative teacher, this temple describes army architecture.

The aluminum building of this temple is annulated by a garden featuring a rich assortment of 106 ancient statues that date back to the duration from the 6th to 16th century.

Laxmi Vilas Palace

Laxmi Vilas Palace is one of the grandest structures in India and was the private residence of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. Better known to be the major private dwelling of the size equivalent to 4 times Buckingham Palace, this wonderful palace is a must-visit when in Vadodara. 

The Laxmi Vilas Palace incorporates different other buildings within its complex comprising the LVP Banquets and Conventions, Moti Baug Palace, and the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum building. The museum building was majorly built as a school for the Maharaja’s children. 

Our header photo is 133 years old photo of Laxmi Vilas Palace of #Vadodara was taken in 1890. It was built by Baroda State ruler Maharaja Sir Sayajirao Gaekwad 3rd in 1890 AD. pic.twitter.com/4Wy2WuLpdI

— Gujarat History (@GujaratHistory) February 1, 2023

Maharaja Fatehsingh Museum

The revered Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum occupies a protruding position within the premises of the Laxmi Vilas Palace. The Museum was primarily built as a school for the children of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III.

Now, the impressive structure houses appreciated artwork done by respected artists such as Raja Ravi Verma, Raphael, Titian, and Murillo. The Museum also comprises a number of personal belongings of the Gaekwad family.

A rare lure found in the Museum is the huge collection of marble from several countries such as China, Japan, and Europe. Different bronze and marble sculptures also embellish the halls. The international assortment of prized possession housed within the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum makes it one of the most prevalent places to visit in Vadodara.

Kirti Mandir

Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III was so commanding and wealthy that he had an entire monument constructed to commemorate the cremation of his family members. This building was named the Kirti Mandir.

Broadly known as the Temple of Fame, this structure was built also to celebrate the 50 years of his mighty administration. One of the carvings on the cenotaph makes one evokes the good old days when India was not separated into so different states and territories, owing to credit to the entire map of India displayed on the central arch.

Sur Sagar Lake

Set at the heart of Vadodara city, the Sursagar Lake is one of the prevalent places to visit near Vadodara in summer as it proposes a great respite in the hot weather.

One can celebrate boating throughout the moonlit nights, and enjoy relaxed evenings with their loved ones. Constructed on stone banks, and established during the 18th century, this lake remains full of water during the year.

Maharaja Sayajirao University

The city of Baroda houses one of the foremost universities in the country, Maharaja Sayajirao University. Prevalently referred to as M. S. University or MSU, the institution was founded in 1949.

The major building of this educational institution displays an acceptable confluence of Indian and Byzantine architectural styles and houses the Faculty of Arts. The straggling green campus and the inspiring structure of the university make it a must-visit lure for tourists.

Khanderao Market

If you want to do some shopping in Vadodara, Khanderao Market is the location to go. The Maharaja built an attractive structure that now serves as the place of the market. The structure also has some formal buildings.

The Khanderao market is a prevalent destination for amateur and specialized street snappers alike since it is home to stalls selling a variety of fresh produce and flowers. While you are in town, don’t pass up the occasion to sample some genuine Gujarati specialties at one of the area’s restaurants.

Hazira Maqbara

Housing the catacombs of Qutubbuddin Muhammad Khan- the tutor of Emperor Akbar’s son; and his own son Naurang Khan- an influential commissioner of Emperor Akbar’s family, is the Hazira Maqbara in Baroda.

Displaying distinctive Mughal architectural styles with ostentatious arches and octagonal podiums, the real graves are inside an underground cavity while the replicas are in the tomb.

Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary

Home to an extensive variety of mammalian species, Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary makes for a prodigious spot for a one-day picnic with your family and children.

If you are a wildlife enthusiast, you will be enchanted to spot not just wild animals but a variety of reptiles and birds as well in this forest reserve. The sanctuary has two water reservoirs within its premises, which add to its appealing beauty. You can celebrate trekking and safari tours in this audacious wildlife zone.

Sardar Patel Planetarium

The Sardar Patel Planetarium is one of the most prevalent lures housed inside Vadodara’s Sayaji Baug. Basically, it is a dome-shaped theatre built basically for educating the public about outer space and the night sky through videos.

Relating stories of outer space, the Planetarium proposes shows in 3 languages- Gujarati, Hindi, and English. With life-like forecasts cast on a generous dome-shaped structure, the Planetarium is one of the most exhilarating places to visit in Vadodara.

The Planetarium parades also comprise a working model of the solar system, detailing the speed of rotation of the different planets. The foremost attraction of the Sardar Patel Planetarium is the high-powered telescope housed here, which enables visitors to observe several celestial bodies in the night sky.

Best Time To Visit Vadodara

Vadodara, previously better known as Baroda, is one of the foremost cities in Gujarat. Vadodara is situated on the bank of river Vishwamitri which augments the natural beauty of the city.

Several tourists and travelers from all over the globe roll up to visit this “Cultural Centre” of the nation, that is, Vadodara.

The best lure of this destination is its rich culture. Let’s discourse the weather and the best time to visit Vadodara in more comprehensive. The best time to visit Vadodara is said to be, after October and before March.

This destination happenstances the tropical and savanna kind of climate which diverges according to the season.

Summer (March to June): Summers in Vadodara start in late March and last till June. It is a tough duration to visit Vadodara owing to the extremely hot and long summers.

Summers in India are normally very hot and an enormous part of the country gets under the firing variety. Vadodara is no different and it gets really warm here, especially in the month of May, but it still remains attractive for different visitors.

Monsoon (June to October): Monsoon is one of the best duration to visit Vadodara. Here, the monsoon starts from mid of June and lasts till late September.

Vadodara gets weighty rainfall from the southwest monsoon, which not only decreases the temperature but also advances the natural beauty. The beautiful weather becomes the center of the lure.

The waterfalls, lakes, and beautiful gardens seem at their utmost splendor throughout the monsoons. Although it is a bit humid throughout monsoons, it is still astonishing to visit the places during the season. The average annual rainfall in Vadodara is nearly 93 cm. Heavy rainfall infrequently floods the rivers.

Winter (November to February): The best time to visit Vadodara is winter. Winter starts in Vadodara in early November and ends in late February.  

The climate is neither too hot nor too cold and hence visiting Vadodara throughout this time is great for travelers. The sunrise and sunset are at the winter’s paramount brilliance.

Kriti Stambh, Baroda Museum, Nazarbaug Palace, EME Temple, Sayaji Baug, Laxmi Vilas Palace, Surya Mandir, Swaminarayan Mandir, and other attractive destinations can be enjoyably explored. This duration is best known for dancing and the Festival of Navratri.

How To Reach Vadodara? 

Vadodara, being an evolving business hub and foremost tourist destination, is conveniently accessible from most parts of India and Gujarat. One can find regular train and bus services connected to many towns and everyday flights from the regional airport.

By Airways: Vadodara is aided by a domestic airport namely Civil Airport Harni. Airlines such as Air India, Jet Airways, and Indigo, operate on a regular basis from the airports. Plenty of choices such as taxi, bus, shuttle, and auto services are accessible from the airport.

By Railways: Vadodara Junction Railway Station is the fullest railway station in Gujarat. High-speed trains such as Shatabdi and Rajdhani link Vadodara with dissimilar parts of India.

By Roadways: Travelling by road is the best manner to arrive at Vadodara as the highways and byways are attractive and well maintained. One can rent a private cab from the close town or can select Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) webpage buses to arrive at Vadodara.

Conclusion

These are indeed the topmost places to visit in Vadodara that you should not skip. Vadodara will carry you a princely feeling, laden with reminiscence, spellbinding architecture, healing religiousness, colonnaded history, museums, and culture seeping out at every corner. 

Indeed, it is an eccentric ride for aesthetes, culture buffs, and history admirers alike. Without further ado, book your tickets and forecast a mesmerizing trip to Vadodara. It will leave you satisfied yet outlandishly craving more!

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