11 Things you should know about Lukshmi Vilas Palace of Vadodara
11 Things you should know about Lukhsmi Vilas Palace of Vadodara
1) Lukshmi Vilas Palace an extravagant building of the Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture, was Build by MAHARAJA SAYAJIRAO GAEKWAD III in the year 1890 at the cost of GBP 180000. Construction of the Palace was started in the year 1878 and it took 12 years to complete.
2) Lukshmi Vilas Palace reputed to have been the largest private dwelling built to date and four times the size of Buckingham Palace. There are 170 rooms in the Palace.
3) Major Charles Mant was the architect of the palace and he hung himself, assuming that the design of the palace is wrong and it would not last long. After his death, it was completed by Robert Fellowes Chisholm. However, the palace stands strong even after 127 Years.
4) The palace has a 300 ft tower, initially, it was meant to be a clock tower but as the constant ticking sound of the clock would be a disturbance for the King, The idea of putting up a clock dropped and a lamp was installed so, when Maharaja is in the Palace they Light up the Lamp and people of Vadodara and other outskirt Villages comes to know that Maharaja is in the Town. Additionally, a saffron flag is hosted on the main entrance gate of the palace to signal to the people of Vadodara that the King is in residence.
5) One of the most spectacular masterpieces within the palace, the resplendent Durbar hall with a Venetian mosaic floor, Belgium stained glass windows, and walls with intricate mosaic decorations is the venue for reputed music concert events and other cultural events.
6) The Maharaja also built a miniature railway line, which circled the mango orchard within the palace compound, to take his children from the school to the main Lukshmi Vilas Palace. The train engine was lately refurbished by Ranjitsinh Pratapsingh Gaekwad, who was the maharaja during the time and can be seen at the entrance to the Museum.
7) The palace is set in a vast landscape park with sculptures. The stunning Lukshmi Vilas Palace also presents a good collection of ancient armors and statues and figurines made of terracotta, marble, and bronze. The palace is open to the public and an audio tour is available. These audio tours are available in both English and Hindi.
8) Lukshmi Vilas Palace Vadodara is recognized for its remarkable interiors which encompass multi-colored marble, tiles, furnishing, luxurious designs, and numerous works of art.
9) Carrara marble was brought in for the doorways of the hall, the pillars, and the ornamental stairs. Mr. Tree from London made the molding and gilding on the walls and ceilings, Mr. Goldring from Kew laid out the gardens, Signor Felici from Italy made the sculptures which decorated the set of stairs, Durbar hall, and other public rooms, and Mr. Dix from London carried out the stained glass windows. Period furniture, Old Masters, and Venetian chandeliers accomplished the effect.
10) On the right side of the Palace, a Beautiful Stepwell Navlakhi Vaav is located. It’s a must-visit place at the palace. So, When you go on your next visit to LVP check out this place. As 9 Lakh gold coin spent to built this vaav it is called NAVLAKHI VAAV. This place is more than 600 years old.
11) Painting collection of Shri Raja Ravi Verma at the Palace and in the Museum is outstanding. His paintings are considered to be the best examples of the fusion of Indian traditions with the techniques of European art. Raja Ravi Verma was invited in 1881 by Sir R. Madhavrao the British regent of the state of Baroda. During his stay at Baroda, Raja Ravi Verma draws many paintings of Mahabharat, Ramayana and family portraits Several paintings like Nala and Damayanti, Radha & Madhava, Arjuna and Subhadra, Bharata, Shantanu and Ganga, Shantanu and Matsyagandhi, Vishwamitra and Menaka, Krishria Drishtha, Radha waiting for Krishna in Brindavan, Shakuntala writing a letter with two sakhis, Mitrayani & Priyamvada and Urvashi, sleeping beauty, Laxmi & Saraswati are in Baroda Museum & Palace.
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