A busy city of Gujarat- Vadodara

One of the fastest growing cities of Gujarat, Vadodara is a beautiful place with a mix culture. It takes only 2 to 3 days to satisfy your curiosity of the place. Here is a brief description of the place.

Vadodara also known as Baroda is located on the banks of the Vishwamitri River. Vadodara is the third largest city of Gujarat, after Ahmedabad and Surat. Once a princely state, Vadodara is now a strong mix of modern and old world. It is about 120 km away from Ahmedabad and 135 km from Gandhinagar. This city of Gujarat is among the top 10 fastest developing cities of India. The name Baroda means "set in the womb of the banyan trees" and the River Vishwamitri got its name from Rishi Vishwamitra.. Being a major business centre of Gujarat and one of the most sought after educational hubs in India; there are a good number of hotels in Vadodara which provide a comfortable stay to their visitors.

According to the Indian history, Vadodara is more than 2000 years old and the place has been ruled by Hindus, Mughals, Pathans and Marathas at different times. Vadodara witnesses the settlement of traders around 812 AD but until 1927, it was ruled by Hindu kings. Gupta Empire and then Chalukya Dynasty took over during the Christian era. With the spread of Muslim rule, Mughals started their rule and finally Marathas took over from Mughals. Thus, Vadodara beholds the monuments and structures of the different era.

Vadodara is now a booming tourists spot of India. Vadodara Airport is only 6.2 km from the city centre. Regular flights are available from Delhi and Mumbai which takes a little more an hour to reach Vadodara. Vadodara railway station is also well-connected by trains to all the major cities. Once you reach Vadodara, you will see taxis, autorickshaw and a number of private and state-owned buses ply regularly to Vadodara city.

Vadodara is an apt place for history buffs, the architectural variations are worth witnessing. Hotels are located in prime locations and they provide satisfactory services to their guests. Cheap hotels in Vadodara are also available; you have to choose according to your preference. Hotel Aditi, Hotel Kalyan, Hotel Savshanti Towers, Hotel Raajpath are some of the popular hotels located in the hearts of Vadodara. Few of the hotels offer pick and drop facility from the railway station.

The best way to explore the city is by an auto-rickshaw. Laxmi Vilas Palace, Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, Pratap Vilas Palace, Walled City and Aurobindo Ashram are the tourist hotspots and are must-seen places in Vadodara. You can also visit Mahatma Gandhi Univeristy and the Institute of Renewable Energy. The street food near the MG University is very tasty and renowned place for fast foods.

March and April are the best time to explore the city. Vadodara displays a different look during the time of festivals. Being the cultural capital of Gujarat, it is the best place to enjoy the traditional Gujrati dance form garba.

Sandeep is an experienced travel consultant, who enjoys travelling and loves to write about the destinations he has been to and shares his experience. He also writes about travel tips, world's best holiday destinations, best hotels in a destination,