The reign of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III can be considered an era of reformation and prosperity for Baroda. Along with patronizing education, sports, music, and dance he also patronized artists and painters. One of these was Raja Ravi Varma who came from Travancore and became the royal painter of the Gaekwads for some years. Background : Raja Ravi Varma (April…
EME Temple, often referred as the Dakshinamurti Temple, was built by the Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (EME) Corps and is situated inside the Army Cantonment of Baroda. Featuring an unusually modern geodesic dome and structure, this temple is dedicated to Dakshinamurti, a form of Shiva as supreme teacher. It is run by Indian Army Authorities, and acts as a multi…
Situated on the exact mid point of the old walled city, “Mandvi Gate” is actually a pavilion or a “Mandapa” standing on the crossing of the two cardinal streets of the city. Standing solitary in the heart of the city, the structure is actually the part of a larger building scheme, the fort, “Kila-e-Daulatabad” The origins of Mandvi – Kila-e-Daulatabad…
Just like every other field, Baroda State also excelled in the field of Health care. And, Sir Sayajirao General Hospital (SSG Hospital) was the forefront of these health-related initiatives led by Maharaja Sayajrao Gaekwad III and his minister Diwan T. Madhavrao. Earlier known as the Countess of Dufferin Hospital, it was commissioned in the late 1870s. Completed in the year…
There are different kinds of places, some of these can leave a person spellbound, and Tambekar Wada is one of these. Located at Tambkear no Khancho, in the Raopura area, the Wada is one of the famous places of Baroda. It is a three-storeyed typical Maratha mansion, probably built during the mid or late 19th century. Like a typical Marathi Wada,…
Aurobindo Ashram (Arvind Ashram or Auro Nivas) is an ashram is located at Dandia Bazaar is first ever ashram to become so popular in south areas of Gujarat. Aurobindo Ashram served as the residence of Aurobindo Ghose during his stay in Baroda for ~13 years (1894 – 1906) as private secretary to Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III of Baroda. During this…
In addition to the educational and social reforms, Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, also played a pivotal role in the economic development of Baroda State. His economic enterprises that stand out amongst many others is the establishment of a railroad and the founding in 1908 of the Bank of Baroda, which still exists and is one of India’s leading banks. During the…
The Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum housed within the compound of the Lukshmi Vilas Palace, Baroda was established in 1961. It houses a large number of works of art belonging to the royal family. The building earlier used to house the school for the children of the royal family. Now, the museum contains works of art collected by Maharaja Sir Sayajirao Gaekwad…
Situated in the midst of noisy and colorful bustling markets, the Lehripura Darwaja, is the most ornamented gate out of the four gates of the old city. Built in 1558, it served as the gateway to the old city and is situated in the immediate vicinity of the Nyay Mandir. It was the part of the western ramparts of the…
Champaner Gate (Darwaja), serves as the Northern gateway to the old city of Baroda and leads one in and out of the tightly knit fabric and the colorful markets of the old city area. It is one of the four entry gates to the walled city of Baroda, called Kila-e-Daulatabad and was built by Khalil Khan along with the now…