Vadodara

Former capital of the princely state of Baroda, with the magnificent Laxmi Vilas Palace, and within reach of the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park World Heritage Site and the Statue of Unity, the world's tallest statue.

Vadodara (formerly Baroda) sits on the Vishwamitri River in central Gujarat, India. It is Gujarat's third-largest city, about 110 km south of Ahmedabad. From the 18th century it was the capital of the princely state of Baroda, ruled by the Maratha Gaekwad dynasty. In the late 19th century Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III launched an ambitious program of building and education, leaving behind Indo-Saracenic landmarks such as Laxmi Vilas Palace, Nyaya Mandir and Kirti Mandir, which earned the city the title of Gujarat's "Cultural Capital"; the Faculty of Fine Arts at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda is also a major center of modern Indian art. Sightseeing falls into three parts: the palaces and museums in the city (Laxmi Vilas Palace, the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, Sayaji Baug and the Baroda Museum); the murals in old mansions and the bazaars around Mandvi Gate in the old city; and two classic day trips—the Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park World Heritage Site about 50 km northeast (the ruins of the 15th–16th-century Gujarat Sultanate capital and the hilltop Kalika Mata Temple), and the Statue of Unity about 90 km southeast (182 m, the tallest statue in the world). The best time to visit is Oct–Mar; during Navratri (Sep–Oct) the whole city dances garba all night long, making it the liveliest time of year. Apr–Jun is scorching and Jul–Sep brings monsoon rains. Getting there: Vadodara Airport has flights to Delhi and Mumbai, and the railway station is on the Mumbai–Delhi main line, about 6 hours from Mumbai. Get around town by auto-rickshaw or taxi; for out-of-town sights, hiring a car with driver is recommended. Plan on 2–3 days. Most palaces and museums are closed on Mondays; remove your shoes and dress modestly at religious sites.

Top sights

• Laxmi Vilas Palace – The Indo-Saracenic palace where the Gaekwad royal family still lives. It is said to be four times the size of Buckingham Palace, with breat…
• Statue of Unity – A 182-meter bronze statue of Patel, the tallest statue in the world. The 153-meter viewing gallery overlooks the Narmada River and the Sard…
• Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park – The ruined capital of the Sultanate of Gujarat, a World Heritage Site. The Jama Masjid is a masterpiece of Indo-Islamic architecture.
• Kalika Mata Temple, Pavagadh – A Hindu pilgrimage shrine about 800 m up Pavagadh Hill, reached by cable car, with views over the Champaner plain from the summit.
• Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum – A royal collection housed in the Laxmi Vilas Palace grounds, famous for its large group of original oil paintings by Raja Ravi Varma.
• Sayaji Baug – A city park built by a maharaja in 1879, covering about 45 hectares, with a zoo, toy train, planetarium and museums.
• Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery – A century-old museum in Sayaji Baug, holding Egyptian mummies, a blue whale skeleton, Gandhara Buddha statues and Mughal miniatures.
• EME Temple – A Shiva temple with an aluminum-clad dome, built by the Indian Army's Electrical and Mechanical Engineers corps; its avant-garde design mak…
• Sursagar Lake – A lake in the old city center with a gilded Shiva statue about 36 m tall rising from its middle; at night, the lights reflect on the water.
• Kirti Mandir – A memorial hall for the Gaekwad royal family completed in 1936, with a towering central dome and murals by Nandalal Bose inside.
• Nyay Mandir – An Indo-Saracenic building completed in 1896, first used as a town hall and later as a court, making it the most ornate public building in…
• Mandvi Gate – A three-story 18th-century gatehouse at the crossroads in the center of the old city, surrounded by Vadodara's liveliest traditional market…
• Tambekar Wada – A four-story 19th-century timber mansion of Baroda's prime minister, with brightly colored Maratha-style murals still on its walls.
• Hazira Maqbara – An octagonal Mughal-era tomb from 1586 holding Qutbuddin, a general of Akbar and one of the oldest buildings in the city.
• Sevasi Stepwell – A 16th-century stepwell in Sevasi village, about 8 km west of the city, with multi-tiered stone colonnades stepping down and finely carved…
• Sri Aurobindo Niwas – The residence where philosopher Sri Aurobindo lived during his service in Baroda, now a meditation center and memorial.

Where to eat

• Mandap Gujarati Thali – A long-established thali restaurant inside the Express Towers hotel in Alkapuri, serving Gujarati vegetarian thalis wit…
• Duliram Peda Shop – A century-old sweet shop on Raopura's main street, whose Mathura-style peda is considered Vadodara's pride.
• Kansaar Gujarati Thali – An affordable thali restaurant near the railway station, often called Vadodara's most authentic Gujarati thali.
• Nylon Pav Bhaji – A long-established pav bhaji shop in Karelibaug, a affordable favourite among local students and residents.