An exciting audio visual tour of Lakshmi Vilas Palace Vadodara

From start to finish, I loved every bit of the audio-assisted tour of Lakshmi Vilas Palace, Vadodara. Established by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, the chief architect of the Palace was Major Charles Mant and it was later completed by Robert Chisholm. Once you have bought your tickets and entered, you have to take the tour slowly, listening to the information of what is conveyed through the ear phones. Pause the device at will, so that you can look at what you have been told to look at, and absorb the information about it. Thus, if you are told ‘turn around’ or ‘look up at the ceiling’ or ‘look at the mosaic tiles on the floor’ that’s exactly what you do! There is no rewind button, mind you, so take your time to really enjoy the whole experience of it. Keep in mind that when the Palace was first opened to the public some years ago, there was no audio support, so make the most of it now.

There is the magnificent Banquet Hall as well, on your way to the ticket counter -

Lakshmi Vilas Palace Banquet Hall

Stag poised in front of the Laksmi Vilas Palace side entrance

Starting from the outside and moving inside through the lobby, the audio tour of Lakshmi Vilas Palace gives interesting bits of information. It is not just about the ornate balconies or the chandeliers and paintings and sculptures. You come to know the reason for the name of the erstwhile royal family, that is, ‘Gaekwads’. You get delightful insights into the strict discipline imposed on the children, no matter that they are royal siblings, about how at times as grownups the long corridors were too tedious in terms of waiting just for coffee, but were enjoyable spaces to cycle up and down as kids! 

Outside, there is the beautiful urn in the foreground of the sunken garden -

Urn

The painting on the exterior wall which is the standard selfie point of most visitors (including me!) -

Painting on exterior wall of the Lakshmi Vilas Palace

After you have finished with that selfie, take a closer look at the superb archways in the doors and look up at the engravings on the balcony railings overhead -

Laxmi Vilas Palace balcony engravings

Inside and outside, don't miss the SRG monogram of the royal family which appears in various places; on the glass dome cupola above the cordoned-off staircase leading to the private residence of the family, on the mosaic tiles of the floor in the grand Durbar Hall, and on the bright red gate of the vast palatial grounds (see the image on the right). 

As mentioned in the audio device, the hoisted saffron flag which you can see in the photograph is an indicator that the monarch is at home. Another indicator of his presence is the glowing of a red light in the 300ft. tower of the palace (not sure if this is still done today).


The Armoury room, called the Shastraghar (shastra means weapon, ghar is home) is devoted exclusively to weapons. It was fascinating to see the nine incarnations of Goddess Durga on the hilt of a sword, while another sword was the Sayaji Rao investiture sword. Then there is the machine which releases spinning discs to behead an enemy, much like Lord Vishnu’s Sudarshan Chakra. There are quite a lot of various types of knives and pistols as well, and shields and a horse saddle too. It was interesting to know that a particular type of sword took seven years to make! Then there is the intriguing information about the words inscribed on a sword to inspire soldiers on the battlefield (won’t tell you those words, I want you to go there and know about it).


Other rooms contain upholstered furniture (don’t touch or sit on any, please), paintings and sculptures. There is also a collection of headgear (the larger collection is displayed at the Fatehsingh Museum). It was interesting to tune in to the soft playing of the Veena at the point where you pause to admire a Ravi Verma painting of Goddess Saraswati (the Goddess of Learning). It is here that you can also see the peacock-umbrella used in the coronation ceremony of the young prince.





The Durbar Hall, spread over 95ft and, amazingly, with no supporting pillars, is truly magnificent, with Indian angels in sarees shouldering the supporting beams of the balconies where women sat to look down upon the proceedings below. There are magnificent chandeliers here, made from Belgian glass, and beautiful stained glass windows depicting various scenes from mythology in vivid detail. A large wooden doll house takes up the corner space as you exit. 

There is also a shop to buy souvenirs, such as jigsaw puzzles, ear rings, key chains, etc as well as copies of the paintings, but most are expensive.

When you come out at the end of the audio narration, check out the arched doorway from where the Maharaja exited to mount his elephant.

Look for the breathtaking carvings and stained glass windows on the exterior of the Lakshmi Vilas Palace -

Carvings and windows

And the erstwhile royal family members will surely have stunning views from the upper floors -

Beautiful windows of the upper floors of Lakshmi Vilas Palace

A closing tip
Don’t be so totally fixated on the audio that you forget the power of observation! Pause the audio and look around at things that will not be mentioned. Did you see the clock and the mirror in the pillar as you step up from the lobby and take a right? Did you know the specific parts of a sheathed dagger? Did you notice the beautiful massive porcelain jars and superbly crafted sculpture of the taming of a stag in the Gadhi room? Listen, see, enjoy your tour of Lakshmi Vilas Palace! Get some more useful tips for first-time visitors.

Also, don't miss a drive over the Akota bridge, from where you can get a glimpse of the Lakshmi Vilas Palace towers.

View of Lakshmi Vilas Palace Tower from Akota Bridge

You can also visit the nearby Maharaja Fatehsingh Museum as well.