Laxmi Vilas Palace

Built in 1890 as the private residence of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, Laxmi Vilas Palace is indeed one of the grandest structures in India. Created in Indo-Saracenic style, it is a magnificent hybrid of elements from Hindu, Mughal and Gothic architectural forms with the use of domes, minrates and arches.
Lakshmi Villas Palace, an extravagant building of the Indo-Saracenic school, was built by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III in 1890 at a cost of GBP180,000. Major Charles Mant was the architect. It is reputed to have been the largest private dwelling built till date and four times the size of Buckingham Palace. At the time of construction it boasted the most modern amenities such as elevators and the interior is reminiscent of a large European country house. It remains the residence of the Royal Family, who continue to be held in high esteem by the residents of Baroda.
It's one of largest palace ever built, housing a large number of buildings like Moti Baug Palace, Makarpura Palace, Pratap Vilas Palace and Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum building.
The palace is open to the public and an audio tour is available. The Palace "compound" is of over 500 acres and houses a number of buildings, particularly the LVP Banquets & Conventions , Moti Baug Palace and the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum building. Adjacent to the Moti Baug Palace and the Museum is the Moti Bagh Cricket Ground, the offices of the Baroda Cricket Association and a very rare indoor teak floored tennis court and badminton court (where the All India Badminton Championships were previously held).
The most impressive Raj-era palaces in India till date, the palace interiors boast well-maintained mosaics, chandeliers and artwork. Laxmi Vilas Palace was fitted with the most state-of-the-art amenities such as elevators at the time of their creation to make it suitable modern palace with western sensibilities. The darbar hall is one of the most majestic features of the palace with Venetian mosaic flooring, Belgian stained glass windows for music concerts and cultural events.
This 700 acres palace compound includes the beautiful Navlakhi stepwell, Maharaja Fatehgarh museum, and a small zoo, which was resting ground crocodiles. Maharaja Fatehgarh museum, the section that exhibits paintings by Raja Ravi Verma, was once the school of royal offsprings and a miniature train line encircling the mango arcades connected the place to the school so that the children make the commute easy.
Many activities related to cricket usually takes place at the compound adjacent to the Motibaug Palace. Golf course, swimming pool, clubhouse, gym and Moti Bagh Cricket Ground, the famous museum and the current office of Baroda Cricket Association is also a part of the palace. This massive art-deco palace is still the royal residence and remains open for tourists sightseeing. Laxmi Vilas Palace is one of the most impressive aesthetic highlights for both citizens and tourists alike.
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Built in 1890 as the private residence of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, Laxmi Vilas Palace is indeed one of the grandest structures in India.
This magnificent palace was built in 1890 by Maharaja Sayaji Rao III and was named after his third wife, Rani Laxmibai from Thanjore and is the official Royal residence of the Gaekwads of Baroda.
The construction of the palace was initiated in 1878 and it took 12 years for its completion. It was designed in Indo-Saracenic style by the architect Major Charles Mant and later after his death it was completed by Robert Fellowes Chisholm.
Major Charles Mant being a perfectionist, came to a conclusion that his calculations were wrong and hung himself assuming the palace would not last long. However the palace stands strong even after 125 years. It is considered as one of the most expensive palaces built during the time of its completion with total cost of approximate £180,000.
The musuem which was formerly a school built for Maharaja’s children currently exhibits beautiful paintings and collectables. Moti Baug Palace was the guest house for the British Architects which is now converted into a cricket stadium.
A small miniature railway line was constructed by the Maharaja to commute his children between the palace and the school.
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Laxmi Vilas Palace 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.
Along with spectacular structures inside the palace, a zoo, golf course and a museum are also located. Opulent halls with stained-glasswork, mosaic and beautiful tiles are a treat to the eyes for sure, and this alone is a reason enough to pull travelers from around the world.
At the time of construction it boasted the most modern amenities such as elevators and the interior is reminiscent of a large European country house.
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).
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