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Indian Express
4 days ago
- Business
- Indian Express
Heritage tourism conclave held in Vadodara, experts discuss strategies to boost cultural heritage
The 14th International Heritage Tourism Conclave, held in Vadodara on Friday, brought together tourism experts, conservation architects, government officials, historians, and members of royal families to deliberate on strategies for boosting heritage tourism across India. Gujarat has a large number of heritage properties but many of them have not been leveraged for tourism, said Rajendra Kumar, Secretary (Gujarat Tourism). Kumar urged the participants to join the Gujarat government in 'creating experiences' for tourists. 'At the time of Independence, Gujarat had the largest number of princely states…so, the state has a large number of forts, palaces and heritage properties. However, not all of them are being leveraged for tourism, for preservation and conservation. We are creating experiences around these heritage properties…' Kumar said. The Gujarat government is collaborating with the cottage industry to provide a platform to artisans, he said. 'The heritage property owners should identify such artisans… the Gujarat government has a robust policy. We are also discussing with heritage property owners to make it (the places) contemporary and accessible to people,' Kumar added. Addressing the gathering, Samarjitsinh Gaekwad of the Baroda royal family said that the Gaekwad family 'patronised art' with Maharaja Sayajirao III also 'navigating' through a rivalry with the British 'to preserve our culture'. Gaekwad said, 'As a family, we have been in Vadodara (for quite long) and my ancestors have patronised art… It was Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III who invited Raja Ravi Varma to come here and paint… Raja Ravi Varma stayed here for 11 years. When these paintings were commissioned, there was never a motive or eye on how valuable they would be 100 years later. But patronage was extended to art'. 'Maharaja Sayajirao University has a huge presence in the city… This university also has departments of art, music, drama…We have the department of Oriental Sciences, which has a fabulous collection of manuscripts… There was a clear intent and wish that culture and heritage should grow; to be able to learn all of it, because those were the times when the British were around and they wanted all their stuff to be taught (in education). There was a pressure and rivalry in a sense that happened but Sayajirao was able to navigate all of it very well…' Gaekwad added. The conclave, organised by PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was held at the Lukshmi Vilas Palace banquet in Vadodara.
Time of India
5 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Gaekwad family to revive 90-year-old Kirti Mandir
Vadodara: Time has finally caught up with Kirti Mandir — Vadodara's majestic royal cenotaph that has stood tall for nine decades. For the first time since it was built in 1936, the iconic structure is set to undergo restoration as age begins to wear down its grandeur. Perched near the Vishwamitri river, the monument has developed cracks in its roof and central dome, leading to water seepage that may threatens priceless frescoes by legendary artist Nandlal Bose. Concerned about its deteriorating condition, the royal Gaekwad family has decided to restore the heritage structure, built in 1936. "After the floods last year, we noticed water seeping in through the central dome and parts of the terrace. Cracks have developed that need urgent attention, especially since this is a heritage site," said Samarjitsinh Gaekwad, scion of the royal family. "We have engaged heritage experts to assess the damage. Restoration of such structures must be carried out with extreme care to avoid further deterioration. Once the assessment is complete, the repair work will begin," Gaekwad told TOI. Commissioned by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad to commemorate the diamond jubilee of his reign, Kirti Mandir is built in the Indo-Saracenic style. Shaped like the letter E, it features a 35-metre-tall intricately carved 'Shikhar' (central dome) symbolizing the sun, moon, and earth, along with an undivided map of India. "The central dome is built using stone in the traditional jack arch style. The main issue is water leakage, which has displaced mortar at several points, leading to corrosion in some of the supporting beams," said Jaswant Arlekar, a structural engineer and expert in heritage restoration. "We plan to recreate the mortar mix and patch the cracks. The restoration work will begin after the monsoon. Fortunately, most of the sandstone structure remains in good condition," Arlekar added. Kirti Mandir also houses the urns of deceased members of the Gaekwad royal family, preserved in separate rooms. The structure remains closed to the public except during the annual Diwali rangoli exhibition. Box Nandlal Bose's timeless frescoes adorn Kirti Mandir's walls Padma Vibhushan Nandlal Bose, who beautifully decorated each page of the original handwritten Constitution of India, created frescoes on the walls of the main hall in Kirti Mandir in the 1940s. The paintings depict Kurukshetra battle scenes in the Mahabharat, the life of Mirabai, and the Buddhist story of King Bimbisara. Born in 1882, Bose, who was the principal of Kala Bhavan, Santiniketan, was known for his Indian style of paintings. His works were influenced by the murals of the Ajanta Caves. These paintings were restored by the royal family in 2018 with the help of INTACH.
India.com
12-07-2025
- India.com
10 Unbelievable Facts About Vadodara You've Never Seen On Google!
Historically, Vadodara (commonly known as Baroda) is one of the most important cities in Gujarat. 'Cultural Capital of Gujarat' is yet another name Vadodara is known for, where ancient traditions blend perfectly with modernization. Here are ten interesting facts about Vadodara that you need to know, starting from the city's royal heritage to the modern booming art industry. 1. Historical Significance and Name Origin The Sanskrit words 'vat' meaning 'banyan tree' and 'odar' 'a place to rest' are the roots of the name Vadodara deriving as 'a banyan tree resting place'. Chalukyas, Gaekwads, and Solankis all repeatedly conquered this city. Gaekwad dynasty in British India makes the city get its recognition as the capital city of Baroda princely state. 2. The Gaekwad Legacy Baroda's identity has greatly changed because of the Gaekwad family. Starting from 1875 to 1939, the Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III made a lot of memorable changes and is quoted for his reformatory legends. The monarch gave birth to one of the world famous private houses, the Palace of Baroda & Villas. 3. Lakshmi Vilas Palace: A Symbol of Grandeur Vadodara hosts the architectural masterpiece 'Lakshmi Vilas Palace' which is built in the Indo-Saracenic style. It showcases a residential palace of the Gaekwad dynasty and in addition, it also features a golf course in its lavish garden, making it one of the most unique royal properties in the country. In addition it also boasts of a museum. 4. A Hub for Education Vadodara also happens to be patriotic when it comes to having some of the finest educational institutions in India, such as MSU. Made up in 1949, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (MSU) is one the oldest universities in Gujarat, India. Since its inception, it's been a center of excellence, producing a healthy number of scientists, artists, and politicians. The city is also home to a number of other prestigious colleges and schools elevating its reputation as an educational hub. 5. Cultural Melting Pot Vadodara is famous as the cultural capital of Gujrat for its unique blend of people, cuisines, art, and festivals. Peoples' jovial spirit can be observed during the Garba dance in Navratri while people from all corners of India come to celebrate it. This city is also the host of VadFest, a multi-arts festival celebrating music, dance, theater, and visual arts. 6. Industrial development and its economic significance Vadodara serves as an important industrial hub of Gujarat. It is colloquially referred to as 'Detroit of India' because of its automobile industry. General Motors, ABB, and Alstom have settled here. City's contribution also includes pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, and IT services. 7. Parks and green areas Vadodara is an urban metropolis, but it also has many green spaces. Sayaji Baug or Kamati Baug is one of the oldest and biggest gardens in western India. The 113 acre garden also has a zoo and a museum. Sursagar Lake Garden and Ajwa Park are also popular among the residents who wish to relax in nature. 8. Tempting vegetarian dishes from gujarat Food paradise Vadodara serves delicious Gujarati dishes along with other international cuisines. Locals love dhokla, khandvi, undhiyu, and fafda-jalebi. Street food lovers visit Mandvi and Raopura for chaats and pav bhaji. The city has an increasing number of cafes and fine dining restaurants for visitors looking for international food. 9. Artistic Heritage Vadodara has a long standing history with arts and creativity. The Faculty of Fine Arts of MSU is famous for its wonderful artists, sculptors, and designers. In the city, art galleries like the Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery hold exhibitions showcasing art from Indian and foreign painters. This heritage undoubtedly makes Vadodara a paradise for art lovers. 10. Strategic Location and Connectivity Vadodara is situated by the bank of Vishwamitri River which gives it good road and rail, as well as air travel connections. Its Airport serves flights from and to various other Indian cities. The Railway Station, one of Gujarat's busiest, is located at Baroda and its proximity to Ahmedabad and Mumbai makes the city very important for business and travel. Conclusion Vadodara is a mingled city of culture and technology , beautiful nature as well as city planning. In the city, one can find majestic palaces, sculptures and gorges of different artistic styles, tasty food, and vibrant art culture which are some of the things that the city offers to its visitors. These 10 facts are far less than what the city truly offers making it a must visit place for those willing to explore the heart of gujarat.
India.com
10-07-2025
- India.com
10 Jaw-Dropping Facts About Vadodara They Don't Teach You In School
Historically, Vadodara (commonly known as Baroda) is one of the most important cities in Gujarat. 'Cultural Capital of Gujarat' is yet another name Vadodara is known for, where ancient traditions blend perfectly with modernization. Here are ten interesting facts about Vadodara that you need to know, starting from the city's royal heritage to the modern booming art industry. 1. Historical Significance and Name Origin The Sanskrit words 'vat' meaning 'banyan tree' and 'odar' 'a place to rest' are the roots of the name Vadodara deriving as 'a banyan tree resting place'. Chalukyas, Gaekwads, and Solankis all repeatedly conquered this city. Gaekwad dynasty in British India makes the city get its recognition as the capital city of Baroda princely state. 2. The Gaekwad Legacy Baroda's identity has greatly changed because of the Gaekwad family. Starting from 1875 to 1939, the Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III made a lot of memorable changes and is quoted for his reformatory legends. The monarch gave birth to one of the world famous private houses, the Palace of Baroda & Villas. 3. Lakshmi Vilas Palace: A Symbol of Grandeur Vadodara hosts the architectural masterpiece 'Lakshmi Vilas Palace' which is built in the Indo-Saracenic style. It showcases a residential palace of the Gaekwad dynasty and in addition, it also features a golf course in its lavish garden, making it one of the most unique royal properties in the country. In addition it also boasts of a museum. 4. A Hub for Education Vadodara also happens to be patriotic when it comes to having some of the finest educational institutions in India, such as MSU. Made up in 1949, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (MSU) is one the oldest universities in Gujarat, India. Since its inception, it's been a center of excellence, producing a healthy number of scientists, artists, and politicians. The city is also home to a number of other prestigious colleges and schools elevating its reputation as an educational hub. 5. Cultural Melting Pot Vadodara is famous as the cultural capital of Gujrat for its unique blend of people, cuisines, art, and festivals. Peoples' jovial spirit can be observed during the Garba dance in Navratri while people from all corners of India come to celebrate it. This city is also the host of VadFest, a multi-arts festival celebrating music, dance, theater, and visual arts. 6. Industrial development and its economic significance Vadodara serves as an important industrial hub of Gujarat. It is colloquially referred to as 'Detroit of India' because of its automobile industry. General Motors, ABB, and Alstom have settled here. City's contribution also includes pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, and IT services. 7. Parks and green areas Vadodara is an urban metropolis, but it also has many green spaces. Sayaji Baug or Kamati Baug is one of the oldest and biggest gardens in western India. The 113 acre garden also has a zoo and a museum. Sursagar Lake Garden and Ajwa Park are also popular among the residents who wish to relax in nature. 8. Tempting vegetarian dishes from gujarat Food paradise Vadodara serves delicious Gujarati dishes along with other international cuisines. Locals love dhokla, khandvi, undhiyu, and fafda-jalebi. Street food lovers visit Mandvi and Raopura for chaats and pav bhaji. The city has an increasing number of cafes and fine dining restaurants for visitors looking for international food. 9. Artistic Heritage Vadodara has a long standing history with arts and creativity. The Faculty of Fine Arts of MSU is famous for its wonderful artists, sculptors, and designers. In the city, art galleries like the Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery hold exhibitions showcasing art from Indian and foreign painters. This heritage undoubtedly makes Vadodara a paradise for art lovers. 10. Strategic Location and Connectivity Vadodara is situated by the bank of Vishwamitri River which gives it good road and rail, as well as air travel connections. Its Airport serves flights from and to various other Indian cities. The Railway Station, one of Gujarat's busiest, is located at Baroda and its proximity to Ahmedabad and Mumbai makes the city very important for business and travel. Wrapping Up Vadodara is a mingled city of culture and technology , beautiful nature as well as city planning. In the city, one can find majestic palaces, sculptures and gorges of different artistic styles, tasty food, and vibrant art culture which are some of the things that the city offers to its visitors. These 10 facts are far less than what the city truly offers making it a must visit place for those willing to explore the heart of gujarat.
NDTV
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
"Utter Nonsense": A Royal Trouble For Netflix Show 'The Royals'
New Delhi: Netflix web series 'The Royals' has run into royal trouble. Members of erstwhile royal families in different parts of India have criticised the way royal households have been portrayed in the Ishaan Khatter-Bhumi Pednekar-starrer. They say the show trivialises and stereotypes royal families, even though many members of such families run successful businesses and contribute to society in several ways. Leading the charge is Radhikaraje Gaekwad, who is from the erstwhile royal family of Wankaner. In an Instagram post titled, The Royal Ignore, she has said that one would imagine that the royals of India "would have a better chance of surviving an on-screen portrayal" such as the one in the Netflix show. "What began as a post-independence, politically motivated propaganda of stereotypical Rajas soaked in whiskey and profligacy and Ranis in chiffons and pearls, continues to define us," she said. Ms Gaekwad has said India's independence saw the dissolution of a centuries-old, internationally recognised Indian monarchy. "Sardar Patel correctly referred to it as a 'Bloodless Revolution'. 565 princely states controlling over 40 per cent of pre-independence India handed over their homes, lands and identities for the creation of a united, democratic country," she wrote. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Radhikaraje Gaekwad (@radhikaraje) Ms Gaekwad said the post-Independence years were an "era of uncertainty for families that had lived for centuries with privileges". "Undoubtedly there were a few bad royal apples and I make no excuse for them, yet while monarchs rose and fell in China and younger empires such as France, Russia and Austria, India has the unique distinction of being one of the only countries where royals reigned for centuries without any known instances of revolt or assassination. And when the time came, they relinquished their kingdoms with dignity," she wrote. "Yet after all these decades, our own country continues to view us - all 565 families and a few thousand nobility, with an odd mixture of awe, ignorance and distaste. The real 'Royals' in the meanwhile have rolled up their sleeves and are running India's best known music festivals, museums, hotels, even constituencies and states, an impressive number being the ladies of the house - Gwalior, Jaipur, Bikaner and Kotah to name a few. Ouch to purdah and patriarchy," she said. Ms Gaekwad wrote that royal families proudly sustain age-old traditions and festivals like the Dussehra of Mysore and the Holi of Jaipur and Udaipur that the world flocks to see, and maintain old forts that represent unique schools of art and architecture like Kishangarh, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur. "Most of us have no official role in society today, no privileges or official titles, yet we remain relevant and respected in our homeland, included in festivities and affectionately referred to as a family elder -Bapji, Bapu, Daata or Ma Saheb. For the locals, political representatives have come and gone, only the Mahal and the families that reside within have remained constant, their unchallenged guardians. "Even today royal funerals bring old and young alike from faraway villages, their lips parched and eyes moist, praying for a last glimpse of their departed elder, nostalgic of a bygone era. The young royals, too, are returning to their roots armed with degrees from universities around the world. They proudly straddle the two worlds, speak their mother tongue, wear their turbans but work to make their heritage sustainable, relatable, accessible. For they know if not them, no one else can," she wrote. The post has received immense support from descendants of erstwhile royal families. Yashodhara Ghorpade, former Maharani of Sandur, told NDTV, "Royals today are successfully running businesses, schools and hospitals. We are preserving folk art and craft traditions. I have been running schools for years now." Another show on JioHotstar, Kull: The Legacy of the Raisingghs, has also been caught in the row for its portrayal of royals. The Phaltan family of Maharashtra prides itself on the fact that Sai Bhonsale, the wife of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is from the family. Members of the family say they fully support Ms Gaekward's views. Vijayadevi Rane, the wife of former Goa Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane, told NDTV that every member of a royal family "was not useless". The Rane family traces its roots to Sattari in Goa and is a part of the erstwhile Maratha royalty. "Everyone was not useless. They laid the foundation for today's developments. Most rulers started schools, hospitals and colleges. My husband was Goa Chief Minister for 18 years. He has been a successful legislator, my son is in politics. We are actively contributing to nation-building. This is utter nonsense. Everyone does not lead a debauched life," said Ms Rane, who is from the royal family of Sandur. The Netflix series was partly shot in Rajasthan's capital Jaipur. It is a fictional account of an erstwhile family struggling with financial troubles. Interestingly, among the current descendants of royal families of Jaipur is Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari. A successful politician, she rose from the grassroots before being chosen for the Number 2 position in the state. There is, of course, another viewpoint: some feel the web series is a fictional portrayal and should not be taken so seriously. Royals, however, are not amused and fear that the stereotypes projected in the show may impact their image in the public.
