Welcome to STAMPMANIA 2009 : First National One Frame Philatelic Exhibition in India

About Vadodara

Vadodara is a graceful city of palaces, parks, temples and museums and is situated on the south of city of Ahmedabad. It is also known as Baroda. Vadodara is the industrial and cultural capital of the State of Gujarat. Vadodara has a rich historical background. It was an important native state in Western India. The ardent historian can trace Vadodara's history over 2000 years and more.

Vadodara, the capital city of Gaekwar State, is situated on the banks of Vishwamitri, a river whose name derived from the great saint Rishi Vishvamitra. The city was once called Chandanavati after its ruler Raja Chandan of Dor tribe of Rajputs, who wrested it from the Jains. The capital had also another name "Virakshetra" or "Virawati" (a land of warriors). Later on it was known as Vadpatraka or Wadodará, which according to tradition is a corrupt form of the Sanskrit word Vatodar means 'in the heart of the banyan tree'. It is now almost impossible to ascertain when the various changes in the name were made; but early English travellers and merchants mention the town as Brodera, and it is from this that the name Baroda is derived. Again in 1974 the name changed to Vadodara.

Vadodara at a Glance

Vadodara Weather

Summer : Max 45°C, Min 24 °C

Winter : Max 31 °C, Min 11°C
Winters are cool and pleasant. Best period to visit Vadodara is between October and February.

How to Reach to Vadodara

By Air: Vadodara is connected by various domestic airlines (Air India-Indian, Jet Airways & Indigo) to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore. The nearest international airport is located in Ahmedabad, which is located 100 km away from the city. Ahmedabad is also connected with many other cities by domestic airlines.
Links: Air India (Indian), Jet Airways, Indigo, Spice Jet, Go Air, Kingfisher, Jetlite, Jagson Airline, MDLR. Paramount Airways

By Train: Vadodara is major railway junction on the Western Railway. Vadodara railway station is located on the northwestern part of the city, near the local bus station. As Vadodara is on the main Ahmedabad–Mumbai line a number of trains pass and stop at Vadodara. Direct trains are available from Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Pune, Kolhapur, Madgaon, Indore, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Delhi, Ferozpur, Dehradun, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Jammu Tawi, Kalka, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Muzaffarpur, Jaipur, Ajmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Lucknow, Chennai, Bangalore, Mysore, Coimbatore, Kakinada, Nagercoil, Kochuveli, Yesvantpur, Ernakulam, Trivandrum, Rameshwaram, Howrah, Guwahati, Puri etc.
Links: IRCTC, Indian Railways, Trains passing through VADODARA

By Road: State transport buses and private luxury coaches connect Vadodara to various towns and cities of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Links: Raj Travels, TicketVala

Distance of Major Cities from Vadodara

City	Distance in Kms.	City	Distance in Kms.	City	Distance in Kms.	City	Distance in Kms.	City	Distance in Kms.
Agartala	2963	Bilaspur	1152	Indore	323	Ludhiana	1333	Salem	1585
Agra	927	Chandigarh	1266	Jabalpur	817	Madurai	1841	Shillong	2575
Ahmedabad	113	Chennai	1724	Jaipur	770	Mangalore	1321	Shimla	1371
Ajmer	639	Coimbatore	1648	Jammu	1577	Mumbai	448	Solapur	790
Akola	616	Cuttack	1681	Jamnagar	415	Mysore	1448	Srinagar	1848
Allahabad	1060	Delhi	1028	Jhamshedpur	1710	Nagpur	866	Surat	142
Ambala	1220	Dibrugarh	2914	Jodhpur	552	Nashik	335	Thiruvananthapuram	1927
Amritsar	1336	Gaya	1435	Kandla	478	Panaji	955	Thrissur	1718
Aurangabad	482	Ghaziabad	1047	Kanyakumari	2014	Patna	1420	Trichchirappalli	1719
Bangalore	1395	Gorakhpur	1361	Kanpur	1018	Pondicherry	1678	Udaipur	365
Bareilly	1139	Gurgaon	998	Kochi	1768	Porbandar	507	Ujjain	378
Belgaum	915	Guwahati	2475	Kohlapur	780	Pune	547	Varanasi	1185
Bhavnagar	300	Gwalior	809	Kolkata	1893	Raipur	1144	Vijayawada	1303
Bhopal	509	Hubli	934	Kota	650	Rajkot	329	Vishakhapatnam	1595
Bhubaneshwar	1586	Hyderabad	1095	Kozhikode	1574	Ranchi	1578
Bikaner	795	Imphal	2959	Lucknow	1095	Raurkela	1476

Places to Visit in Vadodara
Aurobindo Society Maharshi Aurobindo Ghosh one of the eminent freedom fighters and also a renouned philosopher resided in Vadodara from 1894 to 1906 as a private secretary to Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad. He also worked as Vice Principal and a Professor of English in Baroda college. His residence popularly known as Aurobindo Society is situated in Dandia Bazar area is the only national memorial. Yoga and meditation are taught here regularly. Surrounded by a nicely maincured garden this magnificent building provides an opportunity to pass a few minutes in solace. Various useful articles prepared at Pondichery are sold in an emporium on the ground floor. A nicely displayed small museum on the life of Shri Aurobindo's contribution can also be visited here.
		Sayaji Garden Spread in the area of 113 acres of land the garden is the oldest and the largest one among all the 50 parks and gardens of the city. This nicely manicured lush green garden was a gift by the great ruler Maharaja Sayajirao to his subjects. The garden includes Baroda Musesum and picture Gallery, the Zoo, Sardar Patel Planetarium, Floral Clock, Health Museum, Picnic Corners, Band Stand, Toy Train and a few Joy Rides. The Toy Train is extremely popular amongst children. It runs on a small track width 10 inches covering a distance of 3.5 Km. giving the entire view of the garden to the children
Vadodara Museum and Art Gallery Located in the popular Sayaji Bagh, the museum houses a collection which belonged to the former Maharaja Sayaji Rao Gaekwad. Indian rulers during the Raj often collected all kinds of European art and other knick knacks. Founded by the Gaekwads in 1894 A.D., the museum has an impressive collection on Art and Archaeology, Natural History, Geology and Ethnology. The adjoining art gallery has a great collection of old European Masters: Veronese, Giordano, Zurbaran, some Flemish and Dutch School paintings, Turner and Constable, a collection of Mughal miniatures and valuable palm-leaf manuscripts of Buddhist and Jain origin. The Egyptian mummy and skeleton of a blue whale are major attractions for those who visit the museum.Other treasure includes the famous Akota bronzes dating the 5th Century A.D. Timing: 10.00 am to 5.00 pm (Closed on Mondays and government holidays)
		M.S. University of Baroda The premier and outstanding Residential University campus was established in 1882 by Maharaja Sayaji Rao III. There are architecturally interesting buildings in the campus. The Central dome of the Faculty of Arts is 144 feet high. Various higher education disciplines are available to the students including Fine Arts. The University has a rich collection of books on almost all subjects and in various languages.
Kirti Mandir Kirti Mandir meaning 'Hall of Fame', is a memorial for the Gaekwad rulers, situated on the north of the statue of Prince Fatehsinhrao Gaekwad near the Vishwamitri Bridge in Vadodara. It is a monument built by Maharaja Sayaji Rao III in 1936 in the memory of his ancestors, along with a cluster of Shiva temples. Various rooms of this E-shaped large magnificent stone building are decorated with photographs of the members of the royal family. The building has a marble-finished interior. Walls of its central hall have the murals of Gangavataran, battle of Mahabharat, life of Meera and Natir Puja. There is a huge dome, terraces, statues and photographs of the Royal family in this temple.
		EME Temple The Indian army does not usually have separate places of worship for the different faiths, but this EME temple (also known as Dakshinamurthy Temple), built by the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (EME) corps entirely out of aluminum sheets, worships Dakshinamurti, another name for Shiva as an ultimate teacher. This uncommonly modern-looking temple is, however, built with holy symbols from various religions. EME temple`s inimitable concept and design and geodesic structure lends it a strange aura. It is built solely out of aluminum alloy and steel. The temple complex boasts brilliant idols obtained from the excavations undertaken in nearby areas, some of them dating back to the 6th century. These idols are placed on both sides of the entrance walkway, which brighten up at night in illumination. The architectural pattern represents five religions- the `kalash` on the top of the dome signifies Hinduism, the `dome` signifies Islam, the `tower` represents Christianity, the `golden-structure` on the top of the tower represents Buddhism and the entrances to the temple with their respective shapes signifies Jainism. In this respect, it is regarded as the only structure of its kind in India. It is open from 6:30am-8:30pm. Photography is prohibited.
Nazarbaug Palace Nazarbaug Palace is located near Mandvi Clock Tower. Built in old classic style, it was erected by Malhar Rao Gaekwad in the late 19th century. Nazarbaug Palace was primarily used during the royal ceremonial occasions. It displays royal heirlooms and works of old masters such as Raphael, Titian and Murillo. Indian Paintings, Graeco-Roman exhibits and Chinese and Japanese art are included in the collections.
		Lakshmi Vilas Palace The Royal Family's residence is an extravagant building in Indo- Saracenic style. The palace built by Maharaja Sayajirao in 1890 is till date the residence of the royal family. Its ornate Darbar Hall has an Italian mosaic floor and walls with mosaic decorations. The palace houses a remarkable collection of old armoury and sculptures in bronze, marble & terracotta.
Darbar Hall (Lakshmi Vilas Palace) Darbar Hall of Lakshi Vilas Palace is sometimes the venue of music concerts and other cultural events, has a Venetian mosaic floor, Belgium stained glass windows and walls with intricate mosaic decorations. Outside of the Darbar Hall is an Italinate courtyard of water fountains. The palace houses a remarkable collection of old armoury and sculptures in bronze, marble & terracotta by Fellici. The grounds were landscaped by William Goldring, a specialist from Kew Gardens.
		Makarpura Palace This lovely place was build by Maharaja Khanderao (1856-1870 AD) for his residence. There was a magnificent Deer Park adjoining the place. Sayaji Rao III added a new wing to it and renovated the palace, which was in ruins. This new wing was designed in the contemporary European style. An excellent garden and a summerhouse surround the palace.
Pratap Vilas Palace (The Railway Staff College) Designed in renaissance architecture, it houses the Railways Staff College, the main training center of the Indian Railways. The college is equipped with a beautiful mini railway model room showing different types of railway operations including track signals. The Railway Staff College is the Alma Mater for the officers of the Indian Railways. It is situated in a sprawling campus of 55 acres of the Pratap Vilas Palace at Lalbaug, Vadodara. It provides training to all levels of IR officers, from probationers to General Managers
		Maqbara (Hajira) It was built in Safavi-Persian style. It is famous for its carved marble windows. Constructed in memory of Kutub-ud-din, the General of the Army of the Great King Akbar, it is one of the oldest Moghul monuments of the city. There is also a step well in its vicinity.
Nyay Mandir This Temple of justice is a magnificent and massive building built in Mixed Indo- Sarcenic and European style by Maharaja Sayaji Rao III. It is two storied with large courts and a fine central hall decorated with mosaic works. A beautiful marble statue of Chimnbhai, the first queen of Sayaji Rao III adorns the hall. The building is used at present as District court.
		Sursagar Lake Earlier the Sursagar Lake was known as Chandan Talao. The lake was rebuilt with stone banks and masonry in 18th century. It has a marvelous view particularly on moonlit nights. There is a Statue of Shiva in the middle of Sur Sagar Lake.
Other Places to visit are Iskcon Temple, Navgrah Temple, Kirti Stambh, Khanderao Market (Vadodara Municipal Corporation Building), Lehripura Gate, Mandvi Gate, Lal Baug, Jubilee Garden, Mahatma Gandhinagar Gruh (Town Hall), Suryanarayan Temple, Tambekar Wada, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Vivekananda Kendra, Swaminarayan Temple, Ataladara etc.
Vadodara City Map with Tourist Spots
View Vadodara City in a larger map
Click here to view Picture Gallery of Vadodara
Vadodara Surroundings
Sayaji Sarovar or Ajwa Lake, Ajwa Garden & Nimeta Garden Situated 23 Kms from Vadodara, Ajwa is an ideal place for weekend picnic, Sayaji Sarovar Lake, a major source of water supply for Vadodara, is situated here. Here is an earthen dam that was built early 20th century by the then ruler of Vadodara, Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. The main aim was to provide water to the residents of Vadodara. Although the population of Baroda at that time was 100,000 it was the ruler"s vision to build the reservoir 3 times larger. Hence now this reservoir has ability to attend to water requirements of about 300,000 people residing in the eastern parts of the city. The dam is about 5 km long and can store water to the height of 212 feet above the sea level. The floor of the reservoir is at around 196 feet. It is connected to the Vishwamitri river which flows through the city of Baroda, so that excess water in event of floods is dispatched to this river. The Municipal Corporation has prepared a beautiful garden which resembles with the famous Vrundavan Garden of Mysore. Illuminated and musical fountains are operated on every Saturday, Sunday and Monday, which is a major attraction. The entire garden turns into a fairyland in the evening when the fountains are illuminated. The village of Nimeta is located 15 km near the city of Baroda. The name Nimeta is always used with Ajwa; the entire region is commonly referred to as Ajwa Nimeta. Nimeta has a water treatment plant. Its gardens make the town a popular tourist place. Regular S.T. buses, Private buses and auto rickshaws are available.

		Shree Mudra Nidhi Coin Museum, Ajwa India's first private coin museum located near Ajwa Garden displaying collection of Mr. S. K. Kapoor of Baroda, which is spread over 4000 Sq. ft. area with modern displays with a conservation laboratory, a library, space for reserve collection. More than 2000 coins are displayed covering Indian history and culture from 6th Century BC to present time.
Goraj - Muni Seva Ashram Muni Seva Ashram is situated at Goraj, in Vadodara District and situated about 35 km east of Vadodara, the district headquarters. The ashram teaches and practices humanitarianism. Muni Seva Ashram also operates programs focused on agriculture, education and medicine. It has a well established Cancer hospital, a senior center for elderly persons and several schools from kindergarten to 12th grade.Today a cancer and modern hospital stands there with latest in radiotherapy and scan machines operation theatre equipments one can see in the best institutes of the world!! Muni Seva Ashram was founded by gentle soul Late Anuben Thakkar
		Sindhrot - Nature Park Gujarat Nature Conservation Society has developed a nature park amidst the ravines of the river Mahi near Sindhrot about 13 Kms away from Vadodara. It provides an opportunity for the visitors to understand the nature. The place is visited by number of school children and nature lovers.
Champaner Pavagadh Archaeological Park Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which is located in Panchmahal district. It is situated 46 kms from Vadodara. The town of Champaner was subjugated by Sultan Mehmud Begara in 1484 and made it his new capital. Champaner lies at the foot of Pavagadh fort. The ruins of its mosques and palaces reflected in the lake are some of the most picturesque sights in India. Citadel of Mahmud Beghada is a perfect rectangle about three-quarters of a mile long and 280 yards broad, the citadel is enclosed by a wall of massive blocks of freestone, known as Mahmud Beghada's Wall. It is strengthened by bastions at regular intervals and beautified by small carved balconies in the best Islamic style. Jama Masjid, on account of its massive grandeur and perfect finish, the Jama Masjid is one of the grandest Islamic monuments in Western India. Nagina Masjid is also called the Jewel Mosque as it is built of pure white stone. It is also one of the important pilgrimages of Kali. The temple of Kali is at the height of 550 metres. Now-a-days the rope-way facility has been made available to the tourists to reach the temple. About 250 steps have to be climbed from there. A little above the Kali Temple there is Sadanshah Pir Dargah.

		Dakor 50 kms. from Vadodra is famous for its Temple of Ranchodrai and is a sacred place for the followers of Lord Krishna. His image, said to be the original from Dwarka, was brought here by a devotee and installed in the temple.Several thousands of devotees visit holy temple every month on Poornima. Dakor is easily accessible by road.
Galteshwar A place situated on the riverbank of the Mahi is used mainly as a picnic spot. It is about 16 km from Dakor and 80 km from Vadodara. . The Galteshwar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is a prominent attraction. Thousands of pilgrims visit this emple to offer prayers. Dakor Railway Station is the nearest railhead.
		Anand The town of Anand, on the way to Ahmedabad from Vadodra (35 Kms), is famous for its Amul range of dairy products. Anand is the hometown of the white revolution in India and the modern plant is worth visiting.
Dabhoi Dabhoi is 29 Kms. South East of Vadodara. It was established in the early 6th century AD. Its foundation and fortification is ascribed to King Siddhraj Jaisinh (1093-1143 AD), who made this his frontier fortress. The fort of Dabhoi (originally called Darbhavati) is one of the rare surviving examples of Hindu military architecture, based on the shastri traditions described in various Vaastu scriptures. The famed battle of Dabhoi was fought on April 1, 1731 between Sarsenapati Trimbakrao Dabhade and Bajirao Peshwa. Hira Bhagol gate is known for its unique carved gate.
		Rajpipla Situated in the foothills of the Satpura range, between the Narmada and Tapti rivers, Rajpipla grew to be one of the most prosperous princely states in Gujarat, second only to Baroda. It is located around 65 kms from Vadodara. Rajvant Palace Resort the pink palace in Rajpipla resembles a European mansion, with it's Romanesque dome, classical columns, Greek capitals, timber truss roof, Venetian doors, Gothic arches, palm groves and river facing location. Besides the palace, Rajpipla has many old buildings including the majestic Vadia Palace. There are three waterfalls in the area — Jerwani, Junaghata and Ninai — and the two river systems of Narmada and Karjan. The Sardar Sarovar project or the Narmada dam is just 35 km from Rajpipla. Harsiddhi Mataji Temple The idol of Harsiddhi Mataji with a sindoor face was brought on foot by Maharana Verisalji (I) to Rajpipla from Ujjain (a holy place, now in Madhya Pradesh) in 1657. It is believed that the Ruler had a dream whereby while carrying the idol if he looks back at whichever place then it is to be installed there itself. So presently the temple is built at the same place and the Goddess is the deity of the Rajpipla Royal Family, Although devotees come throughout the year, but especially during Navaratri Festival, thousands of worshippers visit the Temple for prayers where an amusement fair is also held.


Kabirwad This famous place is on an island in the middle of Narmada River, and regular mechanized boats operate to and fro from the banks near the pilgrim town of Shuklatirth to Kabirwad. It is known for its gigantic Banyan Tree which covers a vast area and is believed to have grown when Saint Kabir lived here during the last many years, the roots of this enormous tree has spread to larger circumference, making it extremely shady where many varieties of birds have taken shelter. Now since many years there is an imposing Kabir Temple where worshippers come and is popular on weekends and holidays, when families, students and other groups visit for picnic and outing. There is also a shorter one and a half hour route to reach Kabirwad from Rajpipla by going in a boat on banks of River Narmada between Rajpardi and Jhagadia.
		Kayavarohan Kayavarohan, popularly known as Karvan, it is situated on National Highway No. 8, 30 kms from Baroda. It is an ancient town believed to have existed through each of the Four Ages according to the Hindus. According to a popularly held belief it was from here that Lord Shiva in the guise of a child transmigrated after death and his body disappeared. Thus the place came to be known as Kayavarohan. A number of copper coins and a stone quern have been found from here. A beautiful head of Tapas, the image of Kartikeya and an idol of Uma Maheshwara are some of the archaeological specimen discovered from here.

Other Places of interest are:
NARESHWAR (60 kms) situated on the banks of river Narmada and also famous for the ashram of Shri Rang Avdhoot.

SANKHEDA (60 kms) at east of Vadodara known for its laquer painted colourful wooden furniture and handicrafts heritage.

CHANDOD (60 kms) religious place on the banks Narmada River at east of Vadodara.

KARNALI known as the "Benares of the South" situated on the banks of River Narmada has all the trappings to make for an ideal place of pilgrimage and meditation. It is very near to Chandod.

SOKHADA (10 kms) : Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Mandir Haridham, Sokhada.