Vadodara is a city in the state of Gujarat. Located on the banks of the Viswamitri River and 139 kms away from the state capital of Gandhinagar, Vadodara has been an important city from as far back as 812 AD. Vadodara is strategically situated and in the Indian history functioned as the connecting point between Gujarat, Rajputana, Maharashtra and the Ganges valley. Therefore it has always been important to rulers and has witnessed a variety of cultural shifts, commercial activities and rise and fall of different ruling dynasties.Vadodara today is a beautiful city with a number of gardens, palaces, museums and temples. If you are planning to go for a one day trip to Vadodara there is a wide option of places in and around the city where you can have fun with the entire family or friends.
Sur Sagar: Sur Sagar is a manmade lake in Vadodara. It is located right in the middle of Vadodara. It is named hence because of the music collage located on its banks. It has a total circumference of one and a half mile and is of regular shape. It was built by the kings of the Gaikwad family. Every day at the lake is like a big fair as many people gather here in the evenings. The famous Mangal bazaar and the Nyaymandir gate are located on the banks of the river. The lake has boating facility and a number of eateries on its banks where you can get all types of Guajarati food and also the Vadodara specialties. So you can have fun and also eat and relax at Sur Sagar. The most remarkable thing about the lake is the 120 feet tall statue of Shiva that has been erected at the center of the lake by the city municipality corporation. When the lake is beautifully lighted on Saturday and Sunday evenings the place looks no less than heaven.
Sayaji Baug: Sayaji Baug is another remarkable place to visit in Vadodara city. The garden is largest in western India, covering an area of 113 acres. The garden consists of the Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery, the Sayaji Baug Zoo and the Sardar Patel Planetarium. It is a great place to visit with children as it has objects that can interest them the most. It has a toy train that takes children under 12 around the park. The zoo has a wide variety of animals of which the Asiatic lions are the chief attraction. An aquarium present in the zoo consists of 45 species of fish. The museum is built on the image of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. It has a beautiful collection of art and sculpture and a collection of picture by national and international painters. The garden has 98 species of trees. The most outstanding feature of the garden is the floral clock of 20 feet diameter. The mechanism of the clock lies underground.
Ajwa Lake: The Ajwa Lake is situated 22 km away from the city and is one of the most popular picnic spots for Vadodara residents as well as visitors. The lake was made by Raja Sayajirao to meet the city’s drinking water requirements. The lake covers 22,400 acres and is 100 feet deep. The lake has been the source of water for Vadodara for the past 157 years. The lake is surrounded by a garden called the Vrundavan Garden after the famous Vrundavan Garden of Mysore. The fountains of the garden are turned on between 6.30 and 9.30 and are illuminated on Mondays, Saturdays and Sundays. On these days the water is made to dance with popular Hindi songs, which is a spectacular sight. The lake also has a water park which consists of various entertaining rides.
Galteshwar: Galteshewar is a popular picnic spot located 35 km away from the city of Vadodara. Galteshwar is situated on the banks of the river Narmada. There is a 3000 year old sun temple at Galteshwar which is so designed that the first ray of sun light every day falls on the eyes of the Sun Lord an idol of whom is placed in the temple. The temple has intricate stone statues all over its walls. The temple also has a small reservoir. People can have a nice time at Galteshwar by bathing in the Narmada River (though caution should be maintained here due to fast currents) and having a good picnic lunch on the river banks.
Zarvani Waterfall: The Zarvani waterfall is 90 kms from Vadodara and on the south banks of the Shoolpaneshwar Sanctuary. It is wonderful spot for a day picnic and trekking. At the end of the trek you can take a cooling bath at the beautiful Zarvani waterfall.Ganpatpura: Ganpatpura is about 36 km from Vadodara. The place is scenic but is not that much frequented and these are the attributes that make Ganpatpura perfect as a picnic spot. Ganpatpura has a farmhouse which has been opened up to picnickers by the owner. Lunch, snacks and tea will be provided by the farmhouse owner fro Rs 250 per head. To enjoy here you can either play games like cricket or badminton or just sit back and relax to enjoy the calmness of village life.Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary: Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary is approximately 70 kms away from Vadodara. It is not only a wildlife sanctuary and a picnic spot; it is also an excellent camping site. Located close to the Kada Reservoir it is the home to a number of animals including the leopard, jackal, hyena, nilgai, sloth bear etc.