History, Art and Glamour. Have a peak inside the magnificent Luxshmi Vilas Palace
- Vrunda Bhatt
- Jun 1, 2018
- 4 min read
Here’s all you need to know about India’s largest private residence which is also about four times the size of the Buckingham Palace.Read on:
If one wants to experience the grandeur that the Indian history carries, then the Luxshmi Vilas Palace (LVP), Vadodara is just the exact place one should be visiting. The LVP is situated in the then princely state of Baroda (now Vadodara) and is one of the most marvelously built palaces in India. The palace is an outstanding example of architectural design from within India and abroad, the best use of technology displayed through the availability of a huge elevator inside the palace during that time, beautifully landscaped huge gardens and fountains, and an extravagant display of the royal armory.
Vadodara is a beautiful city located in the western state of Gujarat in India. The LVP is the third palace of the Gaekwad dynasty and the biggest residential palace ever madeinIndia. The external side of the palace is made from red and yellow sandstone brought specially from Italy, Pune, and Agra. The palace has three sections which include the three storeyed main palace where the Maharaja stayed, the ladies quarters and the Darbar (for public meetings and performances).
The magnificence of the palace is very evident from the fact that it had 170 rooms built practically for 2 people. The palace spans over a massive length of 500 feet and features architecture from the Jain, Catholic, Mughal, Rajput and many other styles/eras. The palace was built over a period of 12 years from 1878 to 1890 and was the costliest palace of its time built at a cost of 180000£.
On the opposite side of the main section of the palace is a huge Sunken garden that used to be filled with water and would beautifully display the reflection of the entire palace on the water. The palace also features a full golf course wherein golfers regularly play golf. The landscape and gardening of the palace was done by Goldrin from the botanical garden of London. The Sunken garden has two huge lamp posts brought specially from Scotland and a marvelous bronze statue of an Egyptian lady right in front to the main palace section.
Major Charles Mant was the architect of this remarkably stunning architectural marvel called the Laxmi Vilas Palace and the palace was made keeping in mind the Indian details it is given while also having the requirements of a modern day palace. The palace displays a fine fusion of Indian and Western styles, just like the Maharaja himself who kept himself well connected to the world while maintaining the Indian touch.
The external lobby of the main palace sections displays intricately carved statues made from Italian marble. As we step into the main section of the palace, we’re welcomed with beautiful Chandeliers, balcony made from Sheesham wood, and spectacular bronze and marble sculptors made by the famous Filicci.
The term ‘Gaekwad’ means protectors of Cow, which is considered to be a sacred animal in the Hindu mythology and the Sun is regarded as a God and hence motifs of Sun and Cow can be clearly seen on the pillars inside the palace.
The windows of the palace have been beautified with stained glass. The LVP is a palace which has the maximum stained glass ever used in any structure.
Paintings made by the royal Painter Raja Ravi Verma can seen very evidently across the palace. Old photographs of the great Maharaja and his family members are just a joy to see. The wonderfully carved marble pillars, well preserved old clocks, meticulously made old furniture takes you for a travel back in time and gives you a glimpse of the creativity and talent that existed during that era.
The progressive thinking that Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad had is obvious from the fact that he introduced free and compulsory education for all in the year 1904.
To make one realise as to how stupendous the Maharaja’s reign would be, there is the throne room where the Maharaja would sit and conduct major meetings and attend to big and small matters of the state. The throne of the Maharaja is wonderfully preserved in this room and the walls are earnestly decorated with huge paintings of Raja Ravi Verma that depict different stories from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana.
The LVP houses an extensive display of the royal armory that includes the best weapons that have been used by the Gaekwad dynasty in various wars and display the valor that the kingdom has showcased through the years. The various kinds of swords, guns, spears and many other kinds of weapons simply stuns anyone who sees them.
Another room that definitely catches attention of a visitor in the palace is the Hathi (Elephant) room. This room gets its name from the fact that the Maharaja would get walk out from this room to climb on a waiting elephant outside. The arches of this room have been carved in the shape of an elephant and a monogram of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad is embossed on the windows. This room also showcases many traditional headgear of Gujarat and India which display the diverse dressing culture across the country.
One of the most majestic locations inside the palace is the Darbar hall. This was a lavish huge hall wherein state banquets and art and cultural performances were organized. Music, theatre, and art were deeply patronized by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad and hence performances related to the same took place in this hall. The all India music conference took place here in 1930 which later on went to become the annual Baroda music festival. This hall has Italian tiles studded with semi precious stones and was made to perfection by 12 different artisans. The hall stands strong till date despite the fact that it does not contain a single pillar to support it.Every corner of LVP has a story etched in it.We can write a photo book on it and that still won’t be enough; let alone a 400 word long essay.
The LVP is one fantastic example of the magnificent Indian kingdoms which is a wonderful amalgamation of various architectures and ideas.
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