Vadodara, also known as Baroda is an important city in the state of Gujarat. With a population of over 1 million, Vadodara is the third most populated city in the state. The city is situated on the bank of the Vishwamitri river (named after the saint Vishwamitra) and it is also the district headquarters for the Vadodara District. The city is easily accessible from different parts of the state and has a rich cultural & historical background.
Vadodara is best viewed during the Navratri when the entire city comes alive to celebrate this important festival. To watch hundreds & hundreds of people gathered together to perform the Garba & Dandiya in perfect synchronization is a visual treat. Vadodara is also known for the monuments & museums as well as for its handicrafts, textiles & typical Gujarati handcrafted furniture.
The climate of Vadodara is extremely dry throughout the year except during the monsoon. Summer (March to July) is scorching with temperature touching 45'C(Average summer temperature is 37'C). Monsoon begins in June & lasts through September causing infrequent torrential rainfall. The best season to visit Vadodara is during winters (October to February). Winter is pleasant & dry with temperature between 15-30'C. January is cold due to the northerly winds so it is advisable to carry a pull over or shawl. The city also has a very festive & colorful look during these months as major festivals like Navratri, Diwali, Eid etc are celebrated during these months.
Money can be exchanged in Vadodara at banks like State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda & Bank of South India. Thomas Cook also exchanges cash & travelers cheques. Bigger hotels like the Express Hotel exchange money for their guests. Credit Cards are accepted at most malls & showrooms. There are a number of ATMs of various banks located at convenient locations. You can locate these with the help of the locals.
No permit is required to travel to Vadodara other than a visa for India. The consumption of alcohol is prohibited in Gujarat. Non-Indians can get a permit from the Government to buy & consume alcohol legally.
The city is also known as ‘Gateway to the Golden Corridor’ as it lies on the major rail & road routes connecting important cities like Mumbai & Delhi to Ahmedabad. Vadodara is also well connected to most towns in Gujarat through road & rail.
Air
Vadodara has regular domestic flights from almost all the major cities in India. Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Kingfisher and low cost operators like Air Deccan, Go Air, Indigo etc operate flights to Vadodara. Mumbai & Delhi have multiple flights to Baroda everyday. The nearest airport is at Ahmedabad which is about 100 km from Vadodara.
Rail
Vadodara (part of Western Railways) is well connected to the rest of the country through many direct trains connecting to all major cities. Vadodara is an important junction on the rail route connecting Mumbai & Delhi to Ahmedabad. Superfast trains like Shatabdi (to Mumbai in 5 hrs) & Rajdhani(to Delhi in 12 hrs) as well as passenger trains like Memu/ Kathana passenger connecting the smaller towns & villages stop at Vadodara. The Paschim express connects Delhi (18 hrs) via Mathura. The Saurashtra Mail connects Vadodara to Ahmedabad via Dwarka.
Road
The city has an excellent road network connecting it to other parts of the state. The NH-8 passes through Vadodara. There are regular buses (private luxury coaches & state operated) from Vadodara to Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Gandhinagar, Surat, Rajkot & other towns in the state. The main bus station is very close to the Vadodara Central railway station. The express highway connecting Ahmedabad is in excellent condition & it reduces the travel time considerably.
Local transport
Auto rickshaw is a cheap & convenient way of travel within the city. Buses & taxis are also available. Taxis can also be hired for tours to nearby destinations.
Laxmi Nivas Palace & Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum- The Laxmi Nivas Palace was built by Maharaja Sayajirao III & its design is based on the Indo-Saracenic style. The palace has a good collection of weapons, marble & bronze sculptures. Located at the south side of the palace is the museum which has an impressive art collection with works of Indian, Chinese, British & Japanese artists. It also houses a collection by paintings by Raja Ravi Varma & various other interesting artifacts.
Sayaji Bagh Park- One of the most famous parks in Baroda, houses the Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery. The park also has a mini railway, zoological park & planetarium. The museum has a good collection of European paintings, Tibetian art, Mughal miniatures, Buddhist & Jain manuscripts etc. The University & Lal Bagh is also in its proximity.
The EME temple in the cantonment area maintained by the army is a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple & the idol are made of aluminium , bronze & other alloys. Kirti Mandir & ISKCON temple are the other places of religious interest in Vadodara.
Makarpura Palace, Nazarbaug Palace & Pratap Vilas Palace at Lalbaug are the beautiful palaces built by the royal families. Each of these palaces has a distinct architectural style.
Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Kirti Stambh, Nyay Mandir, Khanderao Market, Aurobindo Ashram, Hajira Maqbara, Naulakhi Well etc are the other interesting places that are worth a visit.
The Vadodara Municipal Corporation organizes daily tours for local sightseeing.
There are various food joint all over the city which suit all pockets. You can find a variety of cuisine like Gujarati, South Indian, Punjabi, Chinese, and Continental etc. A few well-known restaurants are Kansaar, Radhika, Woodlands, Sayaji Hotel etc. The Gujarati Thali is a must try (available at Express Hotel). Taj Residency & Peshawri at the ITC Welcome group are good options for high-end restaurants.
Where To Stay:
The ITC Welcomgroup Hotel Taj Residency and the Express Hotel are a few of the star hotels in Vadodara. Hotel Surya Palace, Sayaji Hotel & Revival hotel are the other hotels that are reasonably priced. Vododara also has many low budget & mid budget hotels.
Vadodara can be clubbed with the nearby destinations as a good holiday destination giving the tourist a glimpse of history, culture, typical Gujarati architecture, cuisine & colour. Champaner, Pavagadh, Dhaboi Fort etc are easily accessible from Vadodara.
.jpg)
