Sayaji Baug
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Sayaji Baug is a garden located in Vadodara, Gujarat, India. Sayaji Baug was dedicated to the citizens of Vadodara by Maharaja Sayaji Rao Gaekwad III in 1879. Sayajirao III built Sayaji Baug, well known as Kamati Baug, on the river Vishwamitri. The garden has a Zoo, a Musesum and Picture Gallery, a small museum for Health and Hygience, a Floral clock, a Band Stand and a Toy Train for childrans & some Fun rides. It has well Maintained lawns, decorated with sculptures placed on pedestals. The park has fountains and trees, which makes it worchwhile for a visit. The park also for a planetarium.
Sayaji Baug is the largest garden in Western India, stretching over 113 acres. It has a rich flora of more that 98 species of trees. The garden has several facilities, including:
- Baroda Museum & picture gallery
- Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Planetarium
- Zoo & Aquarium
- Floral clock, Band stand, Fountains & Garden
- Toy train & Joy Rides for Children's
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[edit] Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery
The famous museum was built in 1894 on the lines of Victoria & Albert and Science Museums of London. Major Mant in association with R.F. Chisholm who refined some of Mant's finest works to make genuine Indo-Sarcenic architecture designed the Building of this Museum. It preserves a rich collection of art, sculpture, ethnography & ethnology. Several of the paintings are not only original but masterpieces at the picture gallery. The picture gallery which offers an excellent collection of originals by famous British painters Turner and constable and many others attract tourists from every part of the country. The Egyptian mummy and skeleton of a blue whale are major attractions for those who visit the museum. Other treasure includes the famous Akota bronzes dating the 5th Century AD, A collection of Mughal miniatures, a full fledged gallery of Tibetan Art and oils by several European masters.
[edit] Sardar Patel Planetarium
The planetarium situated near the main gate of the Sayajibaug runs 3 shows every evening except Thursdays. Having a total seating capcity of 200 seats, the air-conditioned planetarium arranges special shows for educational instiutions on request. Besides, reflecting the immense progress of India's space programme, it conducts several audio-visual programmes on the earth's planetary system, movement of celestial bodies in space and earth's planetary system.
Show Timings : 4.00 p.m. Gujarati 5.00 p.m. English 6.00 p.m. Hindi
[edit] Toy Train
The Train provides a pleasant trip to the children below 12 years of age. It was a gift to the children of Vadodara by the royal Gaekwad Family. The Toy Train is extremely popular amongst children. It runs on a small track width 10 inches covering a distance of 3.5 km. giving the entire view of the garden to the children. One of the popular song "Chakke pe Chakka, Chakke pe Gadi..." from film "Brahmachari Brahmachari (film)" was shot on this train.
It doesn't operate on Thursdays.
[edit] Zoo & Aquarium
The Sayaji Baug Zoo, situated on both the banks of the river Vishwamitri in Sayajibaug the zoo was kept open for the entertainment of the visitors in 1879. Situated in the natural aromatic atmosphere the zoo has 35 types of mammals including the tiger, the lion, the panther, the deer and so on. It also has 122 types of colourful birds including blue crown pigeon, 10 types of reptiles including alligators, ghadials and many more. Thus the zoo offers 167 types of 1103 animals of various sizes and shapes. Asiatic lions are the biggest attraction among all.
The zoo remains closed on Thursday.
The aquarium was constructed in 1962 in Sayaji Baug. The aquarium has 45 species of fish, which includes rare varieties like 'oscar' and 'koika'. Apart from these, the aquarium also has Chinese 'magoor', 'kissing' and 'chicklet' species.
[edit] Floral Clock, Band Stand, Fountains & Garden
The floral clock is the first of its kind in the state. It consists of an hour, minute and seconds hand that move on the 20 feet diameter dial. The machinery moving the clock is underground, giving the clock a natural look.
