Baroda-1

Carved cedar ceiling, silver throne and Italian mosaic, 3 pleasant courtyards filled with palms and European statutory, and a profusion of Italian marble and stained glass. But one of the outhouses of the palace is now Maharajah Fatehsinhji museum, with a fine collection of sculpture by Italian artist Felici, bronzes, paintings(including oils by Raja Ravi Varma), royal portraits, Chinese-Japanese art, Indian art, inlaid doors and chandeliers,and another is now part of the Motibagh golf club. Near the palace is the polo club of royal origins. The Lalbagh palace with a splendid Baroque facades and Renaissance domes, is now a railway staff training college, the Nazzar bagh palace is still a private royal property, the Makarpura palace is now the airforce station, other old buildings are govt buildings.

Rajmahal road, Baroda

The city museum, another royal initiative of HH Sayajrao, built in the 1890s by Major Charles Mant and completed by Chisolm after his death, is one of the finest in India. It has an extensive collection of European paintings(originals and reproductions of masters), rare manuscripts and miniature paintings, South Indian narrative paintings, Tibetan Buddhist artifacts, historic inscriptions, 11^th century South Indian sculpture, 9^th century ivory box, classical works in plaster and other media as models for art students, architectural fragments of old temples, folk art, utensils and costumes of various tribes, an Egyptian mummy, bones of a whale, eggs of dinosaur, stuffed animals, and a portrait gallery, among other out-standing exhibits. Do not miss the Kirti Mandir, royal cenotaph,with wall paintings by Nandlal Bose and busts of various rulers of Baroda, and the Tambakarwada haveli, with wood carvings and murals. pilgrimage.

Kirti Mandir, Baroda

Around Baroda are many recreation spots-Ajwa lake, Nimeta park, Water park, Ajwa fun world. You can experience history at Dabhoi and Champaner, take a cable car ride or pilgrimage to Pawagadh over Champaner, or visit spots of the river Narmada for boating, picnic.

GETTING THERE	By road 2-2 1/2 hours (113 kms) Frequent trains and ST buses.
PLACES TO STAY
- LUXURY	Welcomegroup Vadodara, Express, Express Alkapuri, Rama Inn best Western
- DELUXE	Surya palace, Surya, Aditi, Kaviraj, Sayaji, Yuvraj
- MODERATE
- BUDGET/GUEST HOUSE	Rajdhani, Utsav, Apsara, Green
PLACES TO EAT	All the luxury and deluxe hotels have good places to eat. Some have buffets. Other than hotels, Havmore (a/c, multi-cusine), Volga(Mughlai), Swati(S Indian, N Indian snacks, fast food), Chung-fa(Chinese), Oriental spice(Chiese), Copper coin(Western), Pizza king(fast food), Alka(Indian), Gokul(Indian),Kansa/Kansara(Gujarati),Sahyog(thalis),Woodlands (S Indian), Dairy Den(icecream), Generation 2000(night club). Also good, reasonably pricedeating places near rly station and at Padmawati shopping centre.