Laxmi Vilas Palace Vadodara - Royal Residence
Right from its imposing façade to its ornate interiors, Laxmi Vilas Palace, Vadodara, is always on its way to impress the visitors to no end. Vadodara's Laxmi Vilas Palace was constructed during the period from 1878 to 1890. The construction of this palace was commissioned by Maharaja Sayaji Rao III. The total cost of its construction amounted to a whooping sixty lakh.
The palace is still served as the royal residence. The interiors of the palace exude opulence and are graced with marble mosaic, fine stone and valuable furnishings. The palace features a grand Durbar Hall that boasts of an italian mosaic floor. The walls of the Durbar Hall are beautified with brilliant mosaic decorations.
The palace sprawls for about 700 acres and incorporates a number of buildings. The Moti Bagh Palace and museum need a special mention. The museum was constructed for the Maharaja's children for educational purposes. Today this museum houses a large number of art works belonging to the Royal family. Among all the works of art, the paintings of Raja Ravi Verma stand out on the virtue of the skill of the artist that is clearly reflected in them.
Another popular highlight of Laxmi Vilas Palace is the zoo. Today nothing remains of the zoo except a pond that is inhabited by a number of crocodiles. If you are lucky enough you might also find peacocks strutting about the palace compound or langoors hanging from the tree branches.
