Overview
About the Location:
Still serving as the residence of Vadodara’s royal family, Laxmi Vilas Palace stands as a stunning example of 19th-century Indo-Saracenic architecture, built at an astonishing cost of Rs 6 million. Spanning over 500 acres, it is the largest private residence ever constructed, and it’s four times the size of Buckingham Palace. Renowned as Gujarat’s most impressive Raj-era palace, its elaborate interiors are adorned with well-preserved mosaics, chandeliers, and artworks. The palace also houses an impressive collection of weaponry and art, including paintings by the famous artist Raja Ravi Varma, who was specially commissioned by the then Maharaja of Baroda. The palace grounds are vast and park-like, featuring a golf course and the historic Navlakhi stepwell, which offers a glimpse into the ancient water resource systems developed by the region’s rulers to combat Gujarat’s arid climate. The complex also includes other notable buildings, such as the LVP Banquets & Conventions, Moti Baug Palace, and the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum. Additionally, it is home to the Moti Bagh Cricket Ground, the offices of the Baroda Cricket Association, and a rare indoor teak-floored tennis and badminton court.
Brief History:
Laxmi Vilas Palace was built in 1890 by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, the ruler of the Baroda State. The palace’s grand design was the work of Major Charles Mant, who served as the chief architect.
