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About
Vadodara |
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Vadodara
(Baroda) is the 3rd biggest city which is situated in the
state of of Gujarat, after Ahmedabad and Surat. It is situated
on the banks of the Vishwamitri river about 140 kms from
Gandhinagar.
Lakshmi Vilas Palace belonging to the royal Gaekwad dynasty of
the Marathas is situated in Vadodara. It is a significant
industrial, cultural and educational center of western India.
Vadodara is located at 22.30°N 73.19°E in western India at an
altitude of 39 metres. It is the 18th biggest city of India
with an area of 148.95 km².
Vadodara has a exciting history related to Art and
Architecture. It has been a center of Literature and Arts
since the period of Royal Gaekwad family. Therefore, it has
been given the name of "Kala Nagari". |
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History of Vadodara |
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The first
well-known history of the city was of the early trader settlers
who settled in the area in 812 AD. The region was mainly
conquered by Hindu kings who rule till 1297. The region was
under the control of Gupta Empire in the early years of the
Christian Era. After violent battles, the area was taken over by
the Chalukya Dynasty. Finally, the empire was taken over by the
Solanki dynasty.
By this time the Muslim rule spreads all over the India, and the
reins of power were then taken by the Delhi Sultans. The city
was ruled by these Sultans for a long time, until they were
easily defeated by the Mughals. One of the major problems of the
Mughals were the Marathas who ultimately took over the region.
It became the capital of the Maratha Gaekwads.
Sayajirao Gaekwad III (1875–1939), the most successful ruler,
has done many developments in the region. Even though the
British had a major authority over the region, still Vadodara
continue to be a princely state until Independence. Vadodara
joined the territory of India in the year 1947. |
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Climate of Vadodara |
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Summer
Season
Climate in Vadodara is hot from March to July. Average maximum
temperature during summer is 40 °C, and the average minimum
temperature during summer is 23 °C.
Winter
Season
Climate is very dry from the months of November to February.
Average highest temperature during winters is 30 °C and the
normal minimum temperature is 15 °C.
Rainy
Season
During the rainy season Vadodara experiences a very humid
climate which starts from mid-June and remains till
mid-September. |
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Tourist Attractions in Vadodara |
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Important tourist attractions in Vadodara are:
Laxmi Vilas Palace
Lakshmi Vilas Palace was founded in the year 1890 by
Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. The palace exhibits a
large variety of old armoury and statues in marble,
terracotta & bronze.
Nazarbaug Palace
Nazarbaug Palace is the Gaekwad's royal palace situated in
Vadodara. Nazarbaug Palace was founded Malhar Rao Gaekwad
in the year 1871. It is a 3 storey and one of the oldest
palace in Vadodara. This palace was used on traditional
occasions by the Gaekwads.
Makarpura Palace
Makarpura Palace was a Gaekwad royal palace situated in
Vadodara. It was founded in the year 1870 by Maharaja
Khende Rao, designed in the Italian style. It was extended
and modernized by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III.
Kirti Mandir
Kirti Mandir is the cenotaph of the Gaekwads, situated in
Vadodara. It was founded by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III
of the Gaekwad dynasty of the Marathasto. The interiors of
the temple are adorned with wall paintings.
Kirti Stambh
Kirti Stambh is one of the most popular attractions in
Vadodara which is situated near Polo Ground. It is made up
of pink Songadh stone and situated tall opposite Nehru
Bhavan.
Dakshinamurty Temple
Dakshinamurty Temple is is devoted to Dakshinamurti, a
form of Shiva as supreme teacher. This temple exhibits
very modern geodesic architecture. The temple has sacred
symbols of all religions at one place as they do not have
separate places of worship for different religions.
Mairal Ganpati Mandir
Mairal Ganpati Mandir was founded in 1905 by Shri Gopalrao
Meraal. Inside the temple marble idol of Lord Ganesha is
situated with statues of his wives Riddhi and Siddhi and
their children Labh and Laksh. The temple is made up of
bricks, wood and stones, and the mouse (mushak of God) is
built of Aaras.
Aurobindo Ashram
Aurobindo Ashram is situated at Dandia Bazar in Vadodara.
Relics of Sri Aurobindo are there at the Ashram. It is
open to all the visitors for meditation. The Ashram has a
sales emporium, study room and library.
Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum
Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum is a museum situated inside
the Lakshmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara. It was built as a
school for the children of Maharaja's. Presently the
museum exhibits a large number of works of art belonging
to the Maratha Royal family.
Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery
Baroda Museum was founded in the year 1894 on the lines of
Victoria & Albert and Science Museums of London. The
museum exhibits a large collection of art, statues,
ethnology & ethnography. The paintings of the museum are
unique and displayed at the picture gallery inside the
museum.
Sayaji Baug
Sayaji Baug is a garden situated in Vadodara. Sayaji Baug
was devoted to the citizens of Vadodara by Maharaja Sayaji
Rao Gaekwad III in 1879. The garden is dwelling to the
Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery, Sayaji Baug Zoo and
Sardar Patel Planetarium.
Nyay Mandir
"Nyaya Mandir", means Temple of Justice, is a section of
Byzantine architecture in India. It has the District Court
of Vadodara city. The central hall is adorned with
different variety of tiles and a sculpture of Chimnabai,
wife of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III.
Khanderao Market
Khanderao Market is a large building situated in Vadodara.
It was built in the year 1906 by Maharaja Sayajirao
Gaekwad III, it was named after Khande Rao Gaekwad,
Maharaja of Baroda (1856–1870).
Hazira Maqbara
The tomb known as Hazira includes the graves of
Qutb-ud-din Muhammad Khan who was the tutor of Salim, son
and heir of Akbar, and also that of his son Naurang Khan
who held prominent offices in Gujarat under Akbar.
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How to Reach Vadodara |
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Vadodara is
situated on the major rail and road route connecting Mumbai with
Delhi and Mumbai with Ahmedabad.
By Rail
Vadodara Railway Station is the main Railway Junction on the
Western Railway Main Line.
Vadodara Railway Station is well-connected with all the major
cities of India and one can travel easily to any part of India
from Vadodara Junction, where there is a Junction of rails from
the routes of Ahmedabad, Delhi, Kota and Mumbai.
By Road
Vadodara is well-connected by road. National Highway 8, connects
Delhi and Gandhinagar with Ahmedabad to Mumbai, passes through
the city. Vadodara is also linked with Ahmedabad through Indian
National Highway No. 1.
By Air
Vadodara is also well-connected by air. Vadodara Airport is
situated in the north-east part of the city. Vadodara is
well-connected by air with Delhi, Kolkatta, Hyderabad, Bangalore
and Mumbai. |
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