Vadodara

Vadodara 

If you seek the stillness of earth before the human empire, then imagine prehistoric times when the humans here on the banks of the river Vishwamitri, were outnumbered by vad, or banyan trees, from which the place derived its name. If you are an industrialist, then revel in the booming production center that is Vadodara or Baroda (as it is also known). If you are not, and you wish to escape the industrial fumes, then take a breather in Sayaji Baug, the expansive garden in the center of the city, next to the river, before you explore the rest of the city, still pleasant and relaxing. If you want to be amused by the ostentation of rulers of the past, visit the Lakshmi Vilas Palace, or the now derelict but once lavish Nazarbaugh Palace. If you are an artist, art historian, or archaeologist, then go see the extensive collection, from ancient to modern, at the Vodadara Museum and the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, the painted walls of the Tambekar Wada haveli, and the Nandlal Bose murals of the Bhagvad Gita in the old Kirti Mandir mousoleum. And to meet artists and students and dip into India's evolving art scene, visit the Maharaja Sayaji University and the Picture Gallery. If you come during Navratri, the nine night festival of dance in worship of the Mother Goddess, then consider yourself the envy of the rest of Gujarat, for you are in the most sought-after location for the event. Welcome to the cultural capital of Gujarat. Have your own Vadodara. There’s enough to go around.   Labels: Archaeology, Art, Gardens/Parks, Museum, Palace

By road: Vadodara, 112 km from Ahmedabad and 420 km from Mumbai, is located on National Highway 8.  There are various state transport (ST) buses and private luxury coaches from all over Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, and Rajasthan. Ahmedabad-Vadodara intercity buses take 2 hours and run every 15 minutes.  There are also several private bus companies on or near Station Road. Tickets vary according to the type of bus, but the average rate is Rs 100/- to Ahmedabad and Rs 200/- to Mumbai. You can also rent a car with a driver to explore the city and its surroundings at the Express Hotel. Rates range from Rs. 650/- without air-conditioning to Rs. 2200/- for luxury vehicles, for 8 hrs or 80 km per day. By rail: Vadodara, a major railway junction is located on the Western Railway, which connects Mumbai, Delhi and Ahmedabad. By air: Vadodara is connected by various domestic airlines to Ahmedabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Daman, and Pune.