Baroda is the long established western form of the local name Vadodara, which means the place of banyan trees. Baroda came under philanthropic rule of Maratha dynasty of Gaekwad in 1730. Once the capital of the princely Gaekwads, Vadodara is a graceful city of palaces, parks, temples and museums.

The Gaekwads ruled from Baroda for a few decades under the leadership of the Peshwas and gradually carved out an independent kingdom in close association with the British empire. The Gaekwads' power, reached its zenith with Sayajirao Gaekwad's accession in 1891.

Pratap Vilas Palace at Lalbagh

Built as the residence of the royal family, the Pratap Vilas is an extravagant and flamboyant building in the Indo-Sarcenic style. The palace houses a remarkable collection of old armory and sculptures in bronze, marble and terracotta.

The palace is a riot of columns and arches drawn from South Indian, Central Indian, North Indian and Islamic traditions. Its porticoed entrance has excquisite carvings and is embellished by stuffed tigers. The Darbar Hall however is the piece-de-resistance with mosaic floors, seven domes, 12 chandeliers, intricately sculpted cedar balconies and a silver throne. It is spread over an area of 720 acres with gardens and a golf course. One can visit Shastragar to see the Royal armory.

Built in the old classical style, the palace was used on ceremonial occasions by the Gaekwads. It now houses the royal family heirlooms.

A beautiful palace designed in the Italinate style, the Makarpura is now used as a training school of the Indian Air Force.

Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum

This is the royal collection of art treasures of old masters like Raphael, Titian and Murillo as well as modern western and Indian painting, Graeco - Roman exhibits, Chinese and Japanese art and a large collection of contemporary Indian art.

Vadodra Museum And Picture Gallery

Founded by the Gaekwads in 1894, it has impressive collections of Art and Archaeology, Natural History, Geology and Ethnology. There are miniature paintings and narrative paintings by different artists. Maharaja Sayajirao III Gaekwad of Baroda acquired choice items from across the world. This includes Silver plated Copper Trays from Tanjore, a Shiva Natraja from 11th Century South India, 6th Century Sculptures from Shamlaji in Gujarat, an exquisite 9th century ivory-inlaid book box from North India, Jain bronze dating to 5th century AD. Its upper floor contains sections on natural history, ethnology and geology. 

The 13th century fort of Dabhoi is 29km south-east of Vadodara. A fine example of Hindu military architecture, it is notable for the design of its four gateways - particularly the Hira, or Diamond Gate.

Equidistant from Vadodara and Ahmedabad, the Temple of Ranchodrai in Dakor is sacred to Krishna and is a major centre for the Sharad Purnima festival in October or November.

Bharuch

Bharuch is situated, 70 kms from Vadodara, on the north bank of the Narmada, the greatest of Gujarat's rivers. It is also sometimes referred to as Kanam Pradesh (Black Soil Land) because of the distinctive colour of its soil, which is ideal for cotton cultivation. Bharuch is home to an ancient Shiva temple, the Jama Masjid and the Madresa mosque considered by many as one of the oldest mosques founded by Mohammad.

The Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary is situated close by. Bharuch, as it was formerly called, was according to local legend, founded by the sage Bhrigu and so was called Bhrigupur or Bhrigu's city. The first textile mill in India was established in Bharuch primarily because its black soil is most conducive for cotton cultivation.

Pavagadh

Pavagadh is a famous place of pilgrimage situated in the Halol Taluka, 49 kms from Vadodara. According to popular legend, in a bygone age, there existed a valley where the Pavagadh Hill now stands.

On the elevated ground overlooking the valley, lived the famous Rishi Vishvamitra. He owned a cow, Kamdhenu, gifted with speech and an inexhaustible source of milk.

Grazing on the brink of the hollow, Kamdhenu one day slipped and being unable to climb the steep sides, she filled the valley with her milk and swam home. Learning what had happened, Rishi Vishvamitra, to prevent another mishap, prayed that the valley be filled up. His prayers were granted, the gods sending so large a hill that three quarters of it filled up the hollow and the rest standing out of the plains was called Pavagadh, the quarter-hill.

How to get there?

By Air - Vadodara is connected by various domestic airlines to Ahmedabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Daman, and Pune.
By Rail - Vadodara, a major railway junction is located on the Western Railway, which connects Mumbai, Delhi and Ahmedabad.
By Road - State transport buses and private luxury coaches connect Vadodara to various towns and cities of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, and Rajasthan. Vadodara is 112 kms. from Ahmedabad and 420 kms. from Mumbai.

Accommodation

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