LAXMI VILAS PALACE
One of the most popular tourist sites that attracts many tourists from the different parts of the world. It was the official residence of Maharajas of the territory. The place was constructed between 1878 and 1890 by Maharaja SayajiRao III. The interiors of the palace presents opulent designs, marble mosaic, valuable furnishing & fine stone. It is one of the finest examples of Indo-
STATUE OF MAHARAJA SAYAJIRAO
Sayajirao was born at Kavlana on 11th March, 1863 as ShrimantGopalraoGaekwad, second son of Meherban Shrimant Kashirao Bhikajirao (Dada Sahib) Gaekwad (1832-
MAHARAJA SAYAJIRAO UNIVERSITY OF BARODA (M. S. UNIVERSITY)
The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, commonly referred as M. S. University (MSU) is one of the premier universities of India. It was established in 1881 and originally known as Baroda College of Science. It became a university in 1949 after the independence of the country and later renamed after Maharaja SayajiraoGaekwad III, the former ruler of Baroda. It is the only university in Gujarat whose medium of instruction is English for all its courses. The university is most known for being a hub of artistic activity, however The Faculty of Arts, originally Baroda College, with its visible dome, provides a city of landmark for the confused visitors.
SAYAJIBAUG
SayajiBaug (the famous park) is situated on river vishwamitri and was built by Sayajirao III in 1879. It also includes zoo, the Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery, the Museum of Health and Hygiene and the Sardar Patel Planetarium. A major attraction for children is 3.5 KMs joy ride through the park on toy train. The major attraction is the Floral Clock, situated at the center of the garden and is the first of its kind in Gujarat.
VADODARA MUSEUM
One of two museums in the SayajiBaug is the famous Vadodara Museum and Picture Gallery, built in 1894, one of the various buildings peppering the city that was commissioned by Sayajirao and designed by Mant and Chisholm Sayajirao travelled widely and commissioned various dealers and scholars to fins objects to built a wide ranging collection with everything from Mughal miniatures to sculptures, textiles and objects from Japan, Tibet, Nepal and Egypt, and coins from all over the world to exhibits. One of the highlights is the 22m long blue whale skeleton founded in 1972 at the mouth of the River Mahi.
SUR SAGAR LAKE
Earlier it was know as Chandan Talao, it was rebuilt in the 18th Century with stone banks and masonary. It is now used for boating and splendid sight specially on moonlit nights. Vadodara Municipal Corporation has constructed a large statue of Lord Shiva in the middle of this lake. This Lord Shiva Statue is in standing posture and is 120 feet tall.
KIRTI MANDIR
It is situated on the north of the statue of Prince Fatehsinhrao Gaekwad near the Vishwamitri Bridge. According to Sayajirao Gaekwad it was built to commemurate the benefectors of his state irrespective of their race, caste or creed. Built by Maharaja Sayajirao at the cost of Rs.50,000, it preserves in its various rooms the statues and photogaphs of the members of the royal family. On the walls of the central hall are the murals Gangavataran, battle of Mahabharat, Life of Meera and Natir Pooja-
