Things to Do in Vadodara

Laxmi Vilas Palace is one of the most majestic structures in India and was the private residence of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. Known to be the largest private dwelling of the size, equivalent to four times Buckingham Palace, this magnificent palace is a must-visit in Vadodara.

Sayaji Baug or Sayaji Gardens, as the name suggests, is dedicated to Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III himself. It is the most extensive garden in the western region of India with a sprawling 45 hectares of land.

Decked with lush greenery on all sides, the Sursagar lake is an example of exemplary architecture and mesmerising beauty. Enjoy paddle-boating in these jade waters and go around the majestic 120-foot statue of Lord Shiva that looks upon the lake. Relaxing on the boundary wall under the starry night is great.

Decked with green manicured lawns and adorned by towering palm trees, the Ajwa Nimeta Garden is the perfect destination to plan your leisurely weekend at. The crowd-puller here is the 100-meter row of perfectly aligned musical fountains that mesmerise us with coordinated water shoots in the background of lively colours.

Adorned with immaculate architecture, flawless design and awe-striking grandeur, the BAPS Sri Swaminarayan Mandir is like the lord's palace. The tranquil vibe of the temple instils a revitalising and deeply energising calm within you. Outside the temple is a small, clean eatery that sells mouth-watering Indian delicacies.

Constructed by the Gaekwads in 1894, the Vadodara Museum and Picture Gallery host umpteen relics relating to a wide spectrum of fields, from archaeology to geology.

Formerly known as 'Baroda', the city offers visitors a glimpse into its fascinating history and some lip-smacking food items.  On the streets of Vadodara, you will find classic Gujarati food and items from the rest of the world. While many in the city are vegetarian, Vadodara's street food offers non-vegetarian food options, should you want to explore that.

The Maharaja Sayajirao University is a premium institution in Vadodara, Gujarat. The University has evolved from the Baroda College (1881), one of the oldest and most respected education centres in western India. It was later renamed after its benefactor Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, the former ruler of Baroda State.

Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III was so powerful and affluent that he had an entire monument built to commemorate the cremation of his family members. This monument was called the Kirti Mandir.

Short for Electrical and Mechanical Corps, in honour of the people who built the temple, the EME Temples is a symbol of the secularity practised in the Indian Army, the EME Temple in Vadodara is an aluminium-clad abode, constructed at the intersection of ancient and modern.

At a distance of about 90 km from Vadodara in Gujarat, Zarwani Waterfalls are amongst the most sought natural destinations in India. Huddled deep inside the heart of Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary near the district of Narmada, the perennial and gorgeous Zarwani Waterfalls provide you with an opportunity to trek, picnic, and indulge in wildlife photography.

Being included in the elite list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites across the globe, this marvelous archaeological park set in the heart of the city of Champaner and amidst the Pavagadh hills is one of the most sought after places in Gujarat. It also holds a lot of historical as well as mythological significance in itself.

It pretty much seemed like Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, just needed a random reason to build an edifice. The Khanderao Market is an extravagant building built under his supervision in 1906 that was a gift to the municipality on the completion of 25 years of his authoritative administration.

With awe-striking video clips of space, state-of-the-art sound systems and a curved projection screen that imitates reality, this planetarium plays an hour-long session about the solar system, satellites and astronomical history thrice a day in English and Gujarati.

Spanning over a whopping 2500 ft in the city centre of Baroda, the ISKCON temple has been preserving Vaishnavism for decades now. Seek Lord Krishna's blessings at the Darshan Mandap which is adorned by tasteful traditional art on all sides. Right outside is a pure vegetarian restaurant - Govindas, that serves scrumptious Indian food without using any onion and garlic.

The Maharaja Sayajirao University is a premium institution in the city of Vadodara, in Gujarat. The University has evolved from the Baroda College (1881) which was one of the oldest and most respected centres of education in western India. It was later renamed after its benefactor Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, the former ruler of Baroda State. Apart from being an educational institution, it is also a heritage site.

Kabirvad is a small island in the Bharuch district of Gujarat rumoured to be Saint Kabir’s residence several hundred years ago. Located along the banks of the river Narmada, the island promises you a calm and serene abode underneath the humongous canopy of Banyan trees that Kabirvad is most prominent for.

The Aurobindo Ashram, also known as Arvind Ashram or Auro Nivas, is the ashram that was the dwelling place of Aurobindo Ghosh during his stay in Baroda in the years 1894 to 1906. This was the first ever ashram to gain immense popularity and respect in the state's southern areas.

Originally built as a school for the Maharaja's children, the Maharaja Fatehsingh Museum now houses a wide range of antiques and art pieces that once belonged to the Maratha royal family. The exhibits range from portraits of the royal family and depictions of Hindu mythologies to flawless marble and bronze sculptures.

Nyaya Mandir, translates to 'Temple of Justice' is the District Court of Vadodara city in the state of Gujarat. Situated in the heart of the city, this marvelous piece of architecture was the brainchild of Madras architect Robert Fellowes Chisholm.

Believed to be used to collect tolls from merchants and traders, the Mandvi Gate in Baroda is an important testimonial of the celebrated Mughal era. Resting in the city's centre, this square-shaped pavilion screams regality with its bold arches on all four sides.

Jambughoda is home to one of the most breathtaking and magnificent waterfalls you can visit in the Indian subcontinent. About 100 metres in length and flowing with rich greenery, Hathni Waterfalls are surrounded by various beautiful flora and fauna. This is the spot for you if you find the peaceful sound of flowing water from streams and falls incredibly relaxing.

You just cannot come to Baroda and miss out on its most extravagant festival - Navratri. Vadodara is considered the cultural capital of Gujarat, and the most sought after location for celebrating Navratri.

The Bird Sanctuary is an ecologically rich bird reserve on Thol lake in the Mehsana district of Gujarat. It is nestled amidst dense deciduous vegetation and is one of the state's most popular places for bird-viewing. The sanctuary welcomes vast varieties of endemic as well as migratory birds.

Sardar Patel Zoological Park is a newly inaugurated zoo in Kevadia, a town in the Narmada district of Gujarat. Located in the vicinity of the majestic Statue of Unity, this tremendous establishment hosts about 170 different species of wildlife from all across the globe.

Vadodara has a few shopping malls like Inorbit Mall, Seven Seas Mall, Eva, Centre Square