VADODARA PLACES WORTH VISITING

SAYAJI BAUG
  
Sayaji baug is situated on river Vishwamitri. It was built by Sayaji III in 1879 a.d. and covers an extensive area of about 113 acres and gifted to the residents. The garden includes zoo, museum, toy train, and picnic places. It has well manicured lawns, inter-spread by paths and decorated with greeco-roman and other sculptures placed on pedestals. The park with fountains, lawns and trees is a beautiful spot of Vadodara. This park has become a recreation center with inclusion of floral clock and a fine building for a planetarium.  
  
BARODA MUSEUM AND PICTURE GALLERY
  
The museum built in 1894 is one of the most famous in the country. It preserves a rich collection of art, sculpture, ethnography & ethnology. Several of the paintings are not only original but also masterpieces at the picture gallery. It also houses a skeleton of a blue whale and egyptian mummy.
   
CHIMANABAI CLOCK TOWER
  

Built in somewhere before 1896; is situated in Raopura Area, this beautiful monument was built in memory of the first queen of Maharaja Sayajirao III viz. Maharani Chimanabai I. Still in a working condition, this clock tower provides an opportunity to see the timings from all four directions.
  

Located in Sayajibaug, the planetarium, with a capacity of 200 seats, runs 3 shows everyday [except thursday]. The audiovisual shows are on the movement of celestial bodies in space, earth’s planetary system and India’s space programme.

AUROBINDO SOCIETY
  

An international monument fo Shri Aurobindo is preserved here. It is open to all for meditation. It houses a library and study room.
  
MANDAVI
  

This imposing pavillion known as the Mandvi gate was built during the Mughal period and was restored in 1736 a.d. by governor Malharao Maloji under the orders of Damaji Rao II [1732-1768 a.d.]. It is a square pavalion with three bold arched openings on each of the four sides. The upper storeys erected on the flat roof of the pavillion are of a later date and were probably constructed during the 19th century. This pavillion might have remained as a market place [Mandvi] interspersed by two spacious streets dividing into four parts meeting in the centre. It is illuminated on special festivals.

E.M.E. TEMPLE: [DAKSHINAMURTHY TEMPLE]
  

Located ti the cantonment area. This unique Shiva temple of E. M. E. school is a major attraction for both tourists and devotees. It is entirely built of aluminium sheets in 1966.
  
LAXMI VILAS PALACE
  

It is one of the finest building in Vadodara. Maharaja Sayaji Rao III built in the style of  “indo-sarcenic architecture for his residence”. The construction of this palace was from 1878 to 1890 a.d. at a cost of about rs. 60 lacks. The interior of Laxmi Vilas palace in marble mosaic, fine stone, glass and wood is enchanting and has valuable furnishings. Maharaja’s personal museum is also housed in the same premises.

LAHERIPURA GATE
   

This is a picturesque gate with three large arches. It is the western gateway to the fortified medieval town of Vadodara.

KIRTI MANDIR
   

This is a majestic monumental building also known as temple of fame. Built by maharaja Sayaji Rao III in 1936 A.D. to perpette the glorious memories of his ancestors, it has various rooms preserving the statues and the photographs of the royal family. It is an “e” shaped building with domes, terraces, balconies and a central sikhara, of 33 meters height, built in the Hindu style.
       
MAQBARA (HAJIRA)
  

It was built in Safavi-Persian style. It is famous for its carved marble windows, constructed in memory of Kutubuddin, the General of the Army of Great King Akbar; it is one of the oldest Mogul monuments of the city.

M.S.UNIVERSITY
  

Maharaja Sayaji Rao III established this premier and outstanding residential university campus in 1882. There are architecturally interesting building in the campus. The central dome of the faculty of arts is 144 feet high. Various higher education disciplines are available to the students including fine arts. The university has a rich collection of books on almost all subjects and in various languages.
  
NYAY MANDIR
  

This temple of justice is a magnificent and massive building built in mixed indo-sarcenic and european style by Maharaja Sayaji Rao III. It is two storied with large courts and a fine central hall decorated with mosaic works. A beautiful marble statue of Chimanabai, the first queen of Sayaji Rao III adorns the hall. The building is used at present as a district court.
  
NAZAR BAUG PALACE
  

Situated in the old walled city near mandvi clock tower, it is the oldest palace built in old classic style in the late 19th century.

PRATAP VILAS PALACE
  

Designed in renaissance architecture, it houses the railways staff college, the main training centre of the Indian Railways. The college is equipped with a beautiful mini railway model room showing different types of railway operations including track signals.
  
PALACE MUSEUM [MAHARAJA FATEHSINHJI RAO GAEKWAD MUSEUM]
  

Located in the Laxmivilas palace, it has a fabulous collection of Greek, Roman and European sculptures and art objects. There are original paintings of Raja Ravi Varma and European oil paintings.

AJAWA (VRINDAVAN PATTERN GARDEN)
  

Situated at a distance of 23 kms. from Vadodara. Ajwa is an ideal place for weekend picnic. Sayaji Sarovar, which has been a major source of water supply for Vadodara, is situated here. Spending a few minutes by the side of the lake is a matter of experience. The municipal corporation has prepared a beautiful garden by the side of the Ajwa Sarovar, which is resembling with the famous Vrindavan garden of Mysore. Illuminated fountains are operated on every Saturday, Sunday and Monday. A separate musical fountain is a major attraction for the visitors. The entire garden turns into a fairy land in the evening when the fountains are illuminated. Regular s.t. buses, private buses and auto rickshaws are available.

NIMETA PICNIC SPOT
  
Situated at a distance of 15 kms. from Vadodara Nimeta is on the way to Vrindavan pattern garden. A beautifully manicured lush green circular garden with children corner is major attraction for the citizens of Vadodara and also for those who visit the spot. Water purification plant of municipal corporation is also situated here.