Laxmi Vilas Palace

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.

History
The Laxmi Vilas Palace was built in 1890 by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. It took about twelve years to complete its construction and during that time it cost not less than £180,000. Major Charles Mant was hired as the chief architect of the palace. He designed the structured in Indo-Saracenic style.

Architecture
Architectural style of Laxmi Vilas Palace Vadodra is Indo-Saracenic Revival. The entranceway of palace is basically a palm courtyard with ornate fountain. Marble, tiles and various artworks are used in the interior. The Darbar Hall has Italian Mosaic floor, lovely stained-glass windows and walls with detailed mosaic embellishments. The palace is spread over an area of 700 acres and has many structures in the premises, and also includes a golf course, a zoo (inhabited by peacocks and crocodiles) and a museum (Fateh Singh Museum).

Gujarat Tourism

Gujarat Tourism On the western coast of India, the state of Gujarat is the "Jewel of the West" in India. In Gujarat, one of India's most industrialized and prosperous states, you find the modern milieu and the age-old traditions happily married. The state derives its name from 'Gujjaratta' - meaning the land of the Gujjars, a tribe who migrated to India long back in 5th century AD. But some archeological findings from areas like Lothal, Dholavira, Rangpur, date back to the period of the Indus Valley Civilization. Since then, the state has seen the rise and fall of a number of mighty empires like the Mauryas, the Khiljis and other Muslim rulers, the Marathas till the British. The people of Gujarat reflect the vibrant culture of the state. They love to wear colorful dresses and the women prefer wearing a lot of ornaments. Most of the people speak in Gujarati. Hindi, Urdu, Sindhi and English are also spoken in Gujarat.