Vadodara -Tourism

Formerly known as Baroda, Vadodara is one of the largest cities in Gujarat. Located at the banks of Vishwamitri river, it is also the administrative headquarters of the Vadodara district. It is also the city from where the national highway and the railway line connecting Mumbai and Delhi pass through. The modern Baroda was a memorial of its former ruler Sayajirao Gaekwad III who had a dream of making it an educational, industrial and commercial centre.

The city has had different names in the past. Earlier, it was called Chandravati after its ruler Raja Chandan. Then it was named Viravati, which means the abode of the brave. Then its name was changed to Vadpatra due to abundance of banyan trees on the banks of the Vishwamitri river. The name Baroda or Vadodara was then derived from Vadpatra.

It is regarded as the cultural capital of Gujarat and often known as the 'Cultured City'. The city has a cosmopolitan lifestyle. It is ever-changing and dynamic. The highlights of its vibrant culture can be seen during the celebrations of festivals like Diwali, Navratri, Ganesh Chaturthi, Eid, Christmas and many more.

Places to Visit- There are many places in Baroda to explore and look out for. Some of the places of interest in the city are given below:

Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park- Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site that includes fortifications, palaces, religious buildings, residential precincts, agricultural structures and water installations from the 8th to 14th centuries. It was built by Sultan Mahmud Begada of Gujarat. On the top of Pavagadh Hill, there is a Kalikamata temple, which is considered to be an important shrine and attracts large numbers of pilgrims throughout the year.

Laxmi Vilas Palace- It is a huge building of the Indo-Saracenic school built by Sayajirao Gaekwad III in 1890. The most famous feature of the palace is the Darbar Hall, which generally serves as a venue for concerts and other similar events. It also has a museum that has a rich collection of art works belonging to the royal family.

Nyaya Mandir- It is the 'Temple of Justice' and houses the district court of Vadodara in Gujarat. The building reflects the Gothic, Renaissance and Mughal styles of architecture.

Aurobindo Ashram- It was the residence of Aurobindo Ghosh when he used to stay in Baroda. The house has been transformed into an ashram now and houses a library that features literary works of Aurobindo, a sales emporium and a study room.

Kirti Mandir- It is the 'Temple of Fame' built by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III in the memory of his ancestors. The building is constructed in the shape of letter 'E' with many balconies, terraces and domes and its central 'sikhara' is a major tourist attraction in the city.

Sursagar Lake- Rebuilt in the 18th century, the lake is located in the heart of the city. Formerly known as Chandan Talao, it is about 60 feet deep. It is one of the important tourist attractions due to the boating activities. During the weekends, special lightings are done around the lake.

Lalbaug- The garden situated at a distance of about four kilometres from the main city is an important attraction of the city. Beautiful array of flowers, serene environs and a play park make it a perfect picnic spot for families

Other places of interest in the city are Hazira Maqbara, Pratap Vilas Palace, Sardar Patel Planetarium, Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, Sayaji Baug Zoo and many more.

How to Reach- Vadodara Airport is the main airport of the city that connects it other cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The city is expected to get an international airport soon. Vadodara railway station is the main railway station that connects it to other cities. National Highway 8 passes through the city and connects Delhi with Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad and Mumbai. Indian National Expressway 1 connects Vadodara to Ahmedabad. Buses, taxis and auto-rickshaws fulfill the public transport needs of the city.