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Vadodara
From Wikitravel
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Vadodara, a town in Gujarat in India, also known as Baroda, is named for the Vad (banyan) trees that flourish in the area.
[edit] Understand
The language spoken by people in Vadodara varies, but almost everyone speaks Gujarati and Hindi. Marathi community is also on a large scale in the city. Most young people speak passable English, and in certain areas you will meet people that are fluent in English. Alkapuri is heavily frequented by NRI's (non-resident Indians) and has western restaurants (Pizza Hut, McDonald's, Subway, CCD, Barista, Barbeque Nation etc.), stores (Adidas, Nike, Metro, etc.), etc. This area is frequented by highly affluent individuals and you can generally find English speaking people by a large scale.
Recently City has been attracting many International IT Companies to Invest in this city to set up their operational hubs. L& T, Collabera, and TCS are few of them. Many people from IT Capitals in India like Bangalore prefer working here because of the simple life, but with all resources like schools, water and electricity. Satish Hukkeri, a senior IT professional has shifted his family and all their family is happy for his decision.
[edit] Get in
[edit] By plane
You can get into Vadodara on a domestic flight, and it is reasonably connected to the rest of the country by domestic airlines like Indian Airlines, Kingfisher, GoIndigo, Air Deccan and Jet Airways (there are several smaller and cheaper operators, too. The nearest international airport is about 100 km away in Ahmedabad to which is served by Air India, Emirates Airlines and Singapore Airlines.
[edit] By train
The Vadodara Junction Railway Station is the busiest Railway Station in Gujarat. It is situated on the Mumbai - Delhi Western Railway Main Line. You can get premium trains like Shatabdi and Rajdhani from Vadodara. Humble Mail/Express Trains are also available which connect you to almost the entire country. Passenger Trains are also available which take you to small villages and towns nearby Vadodara and even in Gujarat. This railway station has 6 platforms. Exits from platform no. 1 and 6 will lead you to Sayajigunj, and exit from platform 5 will lead you to Alkapuri.
[edit] By car
The National Highway no.8 passes through Baroda. It is connected by excellent roads. There is an express highway to Ahmedabad, and highway travel is fairly speedy by road, at least to other places in the western part of the country. Its going to be a 6 Lane road soon.
[edit] By bus
The main bus station is the STC bus station that is a stone's throw away from the railway station (Vadodara Junction). Non-airconditioned buses leave from here which connect you to all the parts of Gujarat and the major cities of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra.
Intercity Buses leave every 15 minutes to Ahmedabad, taking 2 hours on the expressway and costing Rs. 68 per person (Jun 08). These buses are available right opposite to the Vadodara Railway Station after crossing the Road opposite to the Station.
[edit] By boat
Vadodara can be accessed by travelling in river Mahi in a boat from Surat.
[edit] Get around
Local transport consists mainly of City Buses and three-wheelers called auto-rickshaws which are very cheap and easily available. Always insist on meter usage and the rate payable is 10 times the amount shown plus 1. (for example, if it shows 2.80, the fare is 28+1 = 29Rs for a 4-5km journey).
The VITCOS City Buses take you to all parts of the city and the VITCOS Bus Stand is right opposite to the Railway Station. The buses are very comfortable and cheap. It costs Re. 1/- per 1.2 km.
[edit][add listing] See
- Vadodara has an excellent golf course- "The Gaekwad Baroda Golf Club". --
- The world famous Maharaja Sayajirao University (MSU) is in Baroda and has one of the largest campuses in Gujarat.--
- Travel to Sankheda near Baroda to see the making of lovely lacquer coated furniture.
- Travel to Champaner to be at a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and see the remains of medieval mosques and a medieval city whose architecture is special because it was islamic buildings executed by Hindu and Jain workmen...a very unique style.
- Visit the Fatehsingh museum, to view several Raja Ravi Verma originals- the royal family of Baroda has a notable collection of his works.
- Check out the Tribal Academy at Tejgarh.
[edit][add listing] Do
There are quite a few sights worth taking a look at such as the Lakshmi Vilas Palace and the old zoo. If you're headed here plan a trip that lasts not more than three days because then you'll run out of things to do. And because of the fact that it is cosmopolitan, infrastructurally decent and well connected by rail, road and air, this is a good place to have as your 'hub' and make day trips to other places.
[edit] Learn
If you want to learn anything related to the arts, Baroda is a good place to be - you can learn classical dance, pottery, whatever ... fairly inexpensively and from good teachers.
[edit] Work
Vadodara has companies like L&T,IOCL,ABB, GSFC, ONGC, IPCL (now Reliance), Bombardier, General Motors, Alembic and Jyoti. Many other petrochemical companies like GACL and pharma cos like Sun Pharma, Alembic and Sarabhai of the city are also well known. It is also considered as good location for IT companies with coming SEZ. Also, a new biotech park is coming up in the city.
[edit][add listing] Buy
Camel leather and related arts of embedding pure gold and stone colors, on camel leather and hide vessels are well known here.
[edit][add listing] Eat
There are plenty of eateries in and around the city and getting good food is not a problem.
Eggetarian delights @ Raju Omlet, in Karelibaug
Chaat at Mirch Masala.
Most popular Biryani at Millenium Restaurant (Fatheganj & Alkapuri)
Frankies recommended at Frigtemp (Fatheganj, Karelibaug & Old Padra Road)
- Vishal Sandwich, near Baroda High School in Alkapuri. Try their Samosa Sandwich.
- Goodies in Fatehganj and Natubhai Circle are favorite hangouts for youngsters apart for their bakery delights & junk food!
- Kalyan Restaurant, near the Railway station and the Central Bus Station. Here you can get a variety of food choices from Chinese to continental along with Chats, South Indian foods etc. Its a self service restaurant with good quality food.
- Dairy Den, Sayajigunj area(Near the railway station). This is Baroda's first ice cream parlor that serves soft cones. You can enjoy a variety of flavors over here.
- Mahakali Sev Usal Delicious Sev Usal near Kirti Stambh, Old City,Vadodara
- Vanity - At Sayajigunj near railway station; tasty non-vegetarian food
Pooran Singh's kababs and parathas near the Cafe Coffee Day by the Birds' Circle at Race Course Road. He's an ex-Welcomgroup chef who runs his own place now
Nayab at Akota recommended for non-veg fare
[edit] In the Mid-range
- Hotel Sayaji - Offers buffet at Rs. 250 on weekdays and at Rs. 275 on Sundays. You get non-vegetarian delicacies also. For people who prefer something other than buffet, there is a rooftop restaurant.
- Havmor in Sayajigunj (Near railway station) & now also at Old Padra Road - Offers excellent variety in non-vegetarian delicacies. Plus they have there own Havmor ice-cream joint outside. Try Cookie Crunch or Coffee flavoured one - they are the ones to fall for.
- Zaika - Good taste. Recommended for non-vegetarian food. At Old Padra Road
- Periyaar - The only award winning restaurant of the city and the only place where you get non vegetarian food from South India.
Don't forget to try the famous 'Gujarati Thali'...
- The Gujarati (veg) Thali, at the Express Hotel (First floor). At 150 Rs, is delicious and exceptional value in delightful surroundings. Opens at 19.30 for dinner. Recommended by locals.
Also try the thali at Kismat dhaba(On the Expressway) in typically rural ambience! Meal for 2 at 100 bucks. Must visit !
[edit] Splurge
- Barbeque Nation, at Alkapuri(Shreem Shalini Mall) highly recommended for the non-veg fare at the buffet
- Peshawari, at the Welcomgroup.
- STIR, at Taj Residency, Vadodara.
[edit][add listing] Drink
It is a nice place to be but lacks a nightlife altogether because of a blanket ban on alcohol that coats Gujarat. Foreign nationals can procure alcohol after getting a permit, but this procedure is not without its headaches.
You will need a your passport plus a photocopy of your passport data page and your visa. You must ask your hotel to stamp this photocopy and write a simple statement to say that "xxx is residing at this hotel room xxx. The fee for the permit is 100 Rs. The permit is valid for one month during which time each person is limited as to the quantity you can buy - 10 units at a time (one unit is 10 large bottles of beer, or 3 bottles of wine or 1 bottle of spirits), no more than twice in six days. This should satisfy all but the heaviest of drinkers. You can use the permit at any location that sells alcohol.
The wine shop at the Hotel Kaviraj (the hotel is currently being refurbished but the wine shop is open on the side of the building) is open from 12.00 to 20.00 and always can issue a permit.
[edit][add listing] Sleep
[edit] Budget
Choose any of the hotels available besides the bus station.
[edit] Mid-range
- Surya Palace
- PM Regency
- Hotel Surya
- Hotel Aditi
- Hotel Apex International
- Comfort Residency
- Hotel Revival
[edit] Splurge
- ITC Welcomgroup Hotel
- Taj Residency Vadodara
- Express Hotel.
[edit] Contact
[edit] Stay safe
Vadodara is generally a safe city. You can simply enjoy your life in Baroda. Absolutely no crimes take place even during the nights.
[edit] Cope
[edit] Get out
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