City At a Glance |
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Sayaji Baug |
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Sayaji Baug (the famous park) is situated on river Vishwamitri and was built by
Sayajirao III in 1879. Sprawling over 113 acres, it also includes an excellent zoo,
the Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery, the Museum of Health and Hygiene and the
Sardar Patel Planetarium.A major attraction for children is the 3.5 kms joy ride
through the park on the toy train.
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Floral Clock |
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The floral clock is first of its kind in the state. It consists of hour, minute
and seconds hands that move on 20 feet diameter dial. The whole mechanism is underground
giving the natural look.
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Baroda Museum And Picture Gallery |
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Considered as one of the most famous museums of the country it was
built in 1894. The picture gallery which offers an excellent collection of originals
by famous British painters Turner and constable and many others attract tourists
from every part of the country. The Egyptian mummy and skeleton of a blue whale
are major attractions for those who visit the museum.Other treasure includes the
famous Akota bronzes dating the 5th Century A.D., A collection of Mughal miniatures,
a full fledged gallory of Tibetan Art and oils by several European masters.
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Sardar Patel Planetarium |
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Located in Sayaji Baug, the Planetarium, with a capacity of 200 seats,
runs 3 shows everyday (except Thursday). The audio- visual shows are on the movement
of celestial bodies in space, earth's planetary system and India's space program.
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Sayaji Baug Zoo |
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The Zoo is located inside the Sayaji Baug. Situated in the natural aromatic atmosphere
the Zoo has several types of mammals, birds, reptiles, and alligators.
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Toy Train
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The Toy Train is extremely popular amongst children. It runs on a small track width
10 inches covering a distance of 3.5 Km. giving the entire view of the garden to
the children.
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E.M.E Temple(Dakshinamurti Temple) |
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Situated in the cantonment near Fatehgunj is the beautiful Shiva temple.
Managed and maintained by the "Jawans" of E.M.E., this temple is made of alluminium
and some alloys. Unlike all other temples, this beautiful Shiva temple is made of
alluminium and it is a place of religious armony. A cultural centre has also been
developed by the E.M.E. around the temple here good sculptures of Gujarat, pavilions
etc. are nicely preserved. Idols of Gods and Godesses are beautifully placed on
both the side walkways and they look very attractive when illuminated at night everyday.
Visit to this temple is a must for everyone who visit Vadodara.
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Darbar Hall |
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Considered as one of the most famous museums of the country it was built in 1894.
The picture gallery which offers an excellent collection of originals by famous
British painters Turner and constable and many others attract tourists from every
part of the country. The Egyptian mummy and skeleton of a blue whale are major attractions
for those who visit the museum.Other treasure includes the famous Akota bronzes
dating the 5th Century A.D., A collection of Mughal miniatures, a full fledged gallory
of Tibetan Art and oils by several European masters.
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Khanderao Market |
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This is a palatial building erected by Sayaji Rao ||| in 1906-07 at
a cost of about Rs. 5 lakhs. It was presented by him as a gift to the Municipality
on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of his administration. The Municipal
Offices are located in this building. The main entrance resembles in architecture
with that of the gate of Dabhoi Fort. The perforated stone perapers are after style
of the Agra Screens.
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Kirti Mandir |
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Kirti Mandir is situated on the north of the statue of Prince Fatehsinhrao
Gaekwad near the Vishwamitri Bridge. With a cluster of shiva temples it was built
to commemorate the cremation of the members of the Gaekwad family. This "E" shaped
large magnificent stone building with domes, terraces, balconies and central sikhara
rising to about 33 metres. According to Sayajirao Gaekwad it was built to commemurate
the benefectors of his state irrespective of their race, caste or creed. Built by
Maharaja Sayajirao at the cost of Rs.50,000, it preserves in its various rooms the
statues and photogaphs of the members of the royal family. The interior of this
elegant structure is marble finished and on the walls of the central hall are the
murals Gangavataran, battle of Mahabharat, Life of Meera and Natir Pooja-executed
by the famous Bengali artist Nandalal Bose. It can be visited by everybody between
9 & 12 in the morning and 2.30 & 5.30 in the evening.
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Champaner |
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It is situated 47 kms from Vadodara. The town of Champaner was subjugated by Sultan
Mehmud Begara in 1484 and made it his new capital. Champaner lies at the foot of
Pavagarh fort. The ruins of its mosques and palaces reflected in the lake are some
of the most picturesque sights in India. Citadel of Mahmud Beghada is a perfect
rectangle about three-quarters of a mile long and 280 yards broad, the citadel is
enclosed by a wall of massive blocks of freestone, known as Mahmud Beghada's Wall.
It is strengthened by bastions at regular intervals and beautified by small carved
balconies in the best Islamic style. Jama Masjid, on account of its massive grandeur
and perfect finish, the Jama Masjid is one of the grandest Islamic monuments in
Western India. Nagina Masjid is also called the Jewel Mosque as it is built of pure
white stone.
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Lehripura Gate |
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Built as the western gateway to the old city in 1558, Lehripura Gate
is an impressive structure with beautiful arches.
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Laxmi Vilas Palace |
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The Royal Family's residence is an extravagant building in Indo- Saracenic style.
The palace built by Maharaja Sayajirao in 1890 is till date the residence of the
royal family. Its ornate Darbar Hall has an Italian mosaic floor and walls with
mosaic decorations. The palace houses a remarkable collection of old armoury and
sculptures in bronze, marble & terracotta.
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Makarpura Palace |
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A beautiful palace designed in the Italianate style, the Makarpura is now used as
a training school of the Indian Air Force.
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Mahatma Gandhi Nagar Gruh |
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This is the city's town hall and was constructed in 1954. It is used
for various cultural functions
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Maharaja Fatehsinh Museum |
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The museum has the royal collection of art treasures and works of
old masters like Raphael, Titian and Murillo as well as modern western and Indian
paintings, Graeco-Roman exhibits, Chinese and Japanese art, and a large collection
of contemporary Indian art.
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Maharaja Sayajirao University |
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The erstwhile ruler of Baroda, Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad built Maharaja
Sayajirao Gaekwad University, also known as MSU, over a hundred years ago. The University
is one of the bigger universities in Western India and the only one in Vadodara.
The notable faculties here are the Faculty of Fine Arts and the Faculty of Performing
Arts
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Mandvi Gate |
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This imposing structure was built during the Mughal period and was
restored in 1736 A.D. by the Governor, Malharoa Maloji under the orders of Damaji
Roa II (1732-1768 A.D.).
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Maqbara (Hajira) |
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Constructed in the memory of Kutub-ud-din the general of Akbar's army,
it is the only existing Mughal monument of the city. There is also a step well in
its vicinity.
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Nazarbaug Palace |
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Built in old classical style, the palace was used on ceremonial occasions
by the Gaekwads. The royal family heirlooms are on display.
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Nyaymandir |
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The Nyaya Mandir, temple of justice, is a unique piece of Byzantine architecture.
It houses the District Court of Baroda.
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PratapVilas Palace |
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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.
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Sayaji Sarovar |
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Sayaji Sarovar or Ajwa lake, 22 kms away from the city is the principal source of
water. It is formed by damming the Surya river and Vaghali Nala. Work on the scheme
was started in 1885 and was completed in 1890. The gardens at Ajwa are patterned
after the famous Brindavan Gardens of Mysore. The illumination of fountains is a
major attraction for tourists.
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Aurobindo Society |
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Relics of Shri Aurobindo are present here. It is open to all for meditation. It
houses a library, study room and sales emporium.
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Nimeta Garden |
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Nimeta, a village 15 kms from the city, has a water filter station
of the municipal corporation. There is a beautiful garden and a guest house. Nimeta
is a very popular picnic spot.
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