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Anshuman Gaekwad might be the best known of the
distinguished royals of Vadodara (earlier Baroda) but the city owes its fame
and prosperity to another magnanimous member of his family. Maharaja Sayaji
Rao Gaekwad, who made Baroda a Sanskari Nagari (cultured city) as the locals
would have it…and why not? Sayaji Rao lived in the magnificent Laxmi Vilas
Palace. Faiyaz Khan of the celebrated Agra Gharana sang for him. Raja Ravi
Verma painted for his family. Seek and you will find his illustrious legacy
preserved in the many museums and art galleries strewn all over the city.
Culture trip over, how can you not be seduced by the delectable flavours of
the Gujju thali? …Scrounge the main markets and the shabby roadside joints
that pop up at sundown for your share of meetha and farsaan! Come Navratri
and you can't resist yourself from shaking 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 Aamir Khan Eleven
batted it out with the firangs in the recent blockbuster Lagaan.
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HOW
TO REACH
By Air -
Both 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.
By Rail - Lying on the main Delhi-Mumbai route, Vadodara is very well
connected with the rest of the country. Frequent express trains link Mumbai
and Ahmedabad. Railway station: In downtown Sayaji, Ganj. Autorickshaws and
taxis available at the station will drop you at the city centre.
By Road -
Excellent 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 neighbouring Maharashtra, Madhya
Pradesh and Rajasthan also operate regular services to and from Vadodara.
Bus stand: Central Bus Stand at Sayaji Ganj, near the railway station.
Autorickshaws 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 - 2½ hrs )
Bhavnagar to Vadodara is 300 km ( Time - 5 hrs )
Mumbai to Vadodara is 417 km ( Time 7 hrs )
WHEN TO GO
Varoda can be traveled throughout the year but the cooler months of October
to March are the best.
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WHAT TO SEE |
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Laxmi Vilas Palace - This is the residence of the
royal family that was built by Maharaja Sayajirao III in 1878 in the
Indo-Saracenic style completed in 1890. The palace has an extensive
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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Baroda Museum - Was built in 1894 and has an
extensive art collection including 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 splendid 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 style and makes for a great visit especially on weekends
when the courts remain closed.
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Aurobindo Society - Dedicated to Shri Aurobindo
and contains memorabilia related to his life and work. There are halls
for meditation that are open to the public. The library has an
interesting 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, situated 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 kick
trying the toy train that traverses the park.
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Nazarbaug Palace - The royal art collection is
brimming 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
extensive collection of contemporary 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!
Periyar in Ambrosia Complex serves cuisine from all four South Indian states
-- both vegetarian and non-vegetarian delights.
Picasso at the Ambrosia Complex is good for multicuisine, especially for
kebabs. The studio kitchen is entertaining.
Mirch Masala on Race Course Road gives you the typical Punjabi 'dhaba'
experience!
Lazeez in Vishwas Colony is good for Mughlai food, particularly the biryani.
Chung Fa on R C Dutt Road is the place for Chinese food.
Snappy (Vishwas Colony), Freiz Temp and Tipsy Topsy, both in Fatehgunj,
serve fast food.
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