Vadodara is the third largest and most prestigious city of Gujarat. The city is well known for its cultural and traditional values and is situated on the bank of the Vishwamitra River. It is a versatile city called by different names accordingly. When you explore its historical palaces and vibrant streets with unique design and architecture, it is the City of Art. Some call it the Garba Capital of India as the city has a different kind of energy during festivals like Navratri. Moreover, the city is also named the City of Palaces as it houses numerous palaces with magnificent architectural designs.
The city was initially developed by the royal Marathas of the Gaekwad dynasty. It is the dream city of Maharaja Sayajirao III, to make it a center of education, industry, and commerce in the region. However, earlier the city was ruled by several dynasties starting from Jain, Chalukya, and Gupta, and ultimately by Mughal. But after the Mughals, the period of the Maratha dynasty was the Golden Era of the city. Now Vadodara is cosmopolitan as well as one of the largest cities in the state of Gujrat. In this blog, we have covered some of the major things that you can experience during your trip. Moreover, read this till the end and enjoy the colorful Gujju vibes of the state.
Specialties of Vadodara City
- Heritage:- The city has many heritage sites and palaces to learn about the history of its rulers. The royal palaces, museums, and gardens are magnificently architectured and designed. Here you can go on a heritage walk via the major attractions of the city like Lukshmi Villas Palace, Sayaji Baug, and many others.
- Art and Culture:- Vadodara is the cultural capital of the state. Hence it is clear that you will be enjoying the colorful and vibrant culture of Gujarat. Here you can visit art galleries, museums, and marketplaces to dive deep into the history, culture, and traditions of the city. However, the museums house the old and prestigious art figures of its kings and queens.
- Education:- It is the synonym for education in Gujarat. The city has more than 100 Private and 20+ Public schools. After the establishment of Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda in 1881, the education system has increased frequently. However, the city has many important institutes of management, technology, and medicine, providing the best education along with better placements.
- Market:- Travel means creating memories and shopping during trips is a parting of memories. The state is known for its multicolor clothes and handicrafts, which you can easily buy in its whistling markets. The city has several markets famous for different specialties some for their sweet food and some for their unique designs.
- Festivals:- Ae Halo! means let’s dance. This is the very first thing that you can hear here during the festivals. The most famous and biggest festival celebrated here is Navratri, a nine-day and night festival. During Navratri people here worship the goddess Durga and do the Garba and Dandiya Raas at night. Apart from Navratri, Rann Utsav, Uttarayan, and many other festivals are also celebrated here with the same excitement and fun.
Tourist attraction
- Laxmi Vilas:- It is the residence of the royal family of Vadodara. This palace is four times in size than Buckingham Palace. Laxmi Vilas Palace architecture is a mixture of three styles of architecture, Hindu, Mughal, and Gothic. This hybrid design is known as the Indo-Saracenic style. Hence, you can experience many things here such as art galleries, massage centers, puppet shows, historical visits, and the list goes on.
- Sayajirao Baug:- This garden was found by Maharaja Sayajirao himself in 1879. It is a huge garden in the western part of the country. The place does not only have greenery to witness but it also houses two museums, a toy train, a planetarium, a zoo, and a flower clock. However, it is a must to visit the location in Vadodara to learn about modern technology and historic culture.
- Vadodara Museum and Picture Gallery:- It is the must-visit tourist attraction of the city. This museum houses several paintings from Maharaja Sayajirao’s collection. Along with that here you will find the Persian version of the Hindu manuscript Mahabharata. This manuscript was begun by Akbar the Mughal emperor in the 11th century. Moreover, the art gallery here also has 109 Mughal miniature paintings.
- Nadalay Temple:- This place also known as Nadalay Haveli, has beautiful classic architecture. The astonishing design on the balconies, windows, and terrace of the temple attracts everyone. This temple is dedicated to the lord Shreenathji and this is the most calm and peaceful place in the city. The continuous chanting of holy mantras makes the aura of the place charming as well as divine.
Nearby Attractions
- Champaner:- It is an archeological park listed among UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This is an amazing as well as picturesque destination to explore around Vadodara. The park is on Pavagadh Hill giving a breathtaking view of the city. The place is related to Hindu mythology and is also believed to be a chunk of the Himalayas. However, this hill is famous for its historical Shri Mahakali Temple on the hilltop.
- Sursagar Lake:- The lake is a perfect relaxing destination in the evening. It is surrounded by lush green trees and plants. The location has wonderful architecture and also has a 102ft. tall statue of Lord Shiva in the lake. People here visit to spend some peaceful time beneath the starry sky in the cold breeze of water. Hence, you can also go boating in the lake and enjoy street food on the bank of it.
- Ajwa Nimeta Garden:- It is a weekend destination for the people of Vadodara. The garden is 21km from the city center on the Ajwa Dam founded by Maharaja Sayajirao at the start of the 20th century. This place is famous for its 100-meter-long musical fountains, which mesmerize the visitors with its charm. The garden has many neatly cleaned and well-maintained small gardens.
- Baps Shri Swaminarayan Mandir:- This temple is also called the Palace of the Lord. The place is beautifully designed with exotic architecture. The attractions of this temple include finely defined sculptures of lord Krishna and Shiva. However, this temple is dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan. It is located in the Atladara locality of the city which is approximately 4km from the city center.
Best time to visit Vadodara
Vadodara and Navratri go hand in hand with each other. It is like when we talk about Gujarat or about any city of the state the first thing that comes to mind is Navratri, Garba, Traditional food, and colors. The city is famous around the globe for its Navratri celebration, traditional clothes, and colorful vibes. Therefore, the best time to visit Vadodara is during October – March. These are the months of festivals. During this period festivals like Navratri, Diwali, Kite Festival, and many other festivals are celebrated.
This is the time when you can enjoy and experience the Gujju vibe in the city. Moreover, in these months the whole city is decorated with lights and decorations, and different garba grounds are decorated. Tourists from different countries visit Vadodara especially to celebrate these festivals and enjoy the city. However, the city becomes the most happening place in the country, especially during Navratri.
Conclusion
Baroda to be very exact Vadodara is the city of art, culture, and historic values. It is the place where modernity goes hand in hand with traditions. Once you visit Vadodara the energy of the city will fill you with joy and excitement. This is a city that has many colors and stories, i.e., every corner here will tell a different story. The stories of new startups or the stories of billionaires of the country, you will find them here. Adding to the city’s incredible food taste is also compulsory for a complete dive into Gujarati culture. However, the market and street food of the city are famous throughout the whole country. Such as Dhokala, Khakhra, and Jalebiphafada, the serving goes on until you are full. Therefore, Vadodara is the perfect place to enjoy and explore the true colors of Gujarat.
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