Name: Vadodara
Rating: 4.1

Laxmi Vilas Palace, Vadodara Overview

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 of the Buckingham Palace, this magnificent palace is a must-visit when in Vadodara.

The striking Laxmi Vilas Palace was constructed in 1890 and took nearly twelve years to complete. Sprawling across an area of about 700 acres, it is still home to the royal family of Vadodara, the Gaekwads. It is built in the Indo-Saracenic style which is a hybrid of the Hindu, Gothic and Mughal architectural forms with the presence of domes, minarets and arches.

The Laxmi Vilas Palace incorporates several other buildings within its complex including the LVP Banquets and Conventions, Moti Baug Palace and the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum building. The museum building was mainly constructed as a school for the Maharaja's children. Today, it houses an extraordinary collection of paintings by Raja Ravi Verma and various other artefacts gathered from all around the world. An excellent audio tour with free drink and snack are included in the ticket price.

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Architecture of Laxmi Vilas Palace

The Laxmi Vilas Palace is one of the most impressive Raj-era palaces in India till today.
The interiors of the palace consist of well-maintained montage, artwork and chandeliers.
The palace was built with the most high-tech facilities including elevators at the time of their creation so as to make it a more appropriate place with western facilities.
It has 170 rooms and it was built for just two people, i.e. the Maharaja and Maharani.
Upon entrance, the Darbar Hall is adorned with mosaic floors, period furniture, Venetian chandeliers and Belgian stained glass windows. This ornate room houses some of the best sculptures made of bronze, marble and terracotta and is often the venue for cultural events and musical concerts.
The Laxmi Vilas Palace is spread over 700 acres consists of the very beautiful Navlakhi stepwell, Maharaja Fatehgarh museum and a small zoo which is known to be the resting ground for crocodiles.
A special collection of swords and weapons of war used during the Maharaja's time is displayed in the armoury.
The entranceway of the Laxmi Vilas Palace has a palm courtyard adorned with an ornate fountain.
Numerous marble tiles and other artworks are used in the interior of the palace.
The splendid palace also has a number of gardens which were designed by the very famous botanist Sir William Goldring who also designed the famous Kew Botanical Gardens in London.

Attractions and Things to Do

There is a swimming pool at its deck which are amongst the favourite spots for tourists to hang out at. Along with a Jacuzzi and baby pool, the place becomes all the more enjoyable for the families.
There is an Ayurvedic massage centre present as well which lies close to the pool and offers numerous remedial massages as well as treatments.
Puppet show has always been a vital part of the Rajasthani tradition and can be enjoyed at the palace every evening.
There are recreation rooms as well comprising of table tennis, a pool table and carom board.
In addition to that, there is a play area for children nearby the swimming pool so that the parents can relax and keep an eye on their kids at the same time.
You can also go around on a sightseeing tour by booking it at the travel desk present on the premises.
Cultural Programme, as well as a DJ too, are arranged on special demand.

Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum

The grand Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum is present within the Laxmi Vilas Palace. Visitors get to see an ample amount of sculptures here which are renowned and are said to belong to the great artisans of the past. The museum showcases art which belonged to the time of the royals Maharaja Sir Sayajirao Gaekwad III and his family. On his trip to the various trips within as well as outside India, all the art and paintings collected by the Maharaja have been housed in the museum as well. Raja Ravi Varma was one of the most renowned artists of the time and his paintings based on Hindu mythology captivate people even today.

There are several portraits of the royal family inside the museum and one can actually feel the grandeur of the royal families which existed then. It also attracts a number of tourists due to its beauty and extensive lawns. The oriental gallery present inside the museum comprises of Chinese as well as Japanese sculptures.

How to Reach Laxmi Vilas Palace

The palace is located on the Nehru Road which makes it accessible and easy to reach via cabs and auto-rickshaws. The mode of transport is easily available from every part of the city.