Vadodara formerly known as Baroda is the third most populated city in the Gujarat. It is one of the four cities with the population of over 1 million. Its also called as Sayaji Nagari (Town of Sayaji Rao Gaekwad) or Sanskari Nagari (Cultural City). Vadodara is the most-populated city in the Gujarat after ahmedabad and surat. Vadodara is a Cultural capital of Gujarat. It is Situated on the banks of Vishwamitri River. Vadodara is well known for the beautiful Places and monuments, Like Lakshmi Vilas Palace, Makapura Palace, Maharaja Sayaji Rao University of Baroda, Nyaymandir, Nazarbaug Palace etc.

Vadodara is divided by the Vishwamitri river into two physically distinct eastern and western regions. The Eastern banks of the river is the old city, which includes the old forfeited city of Vadodara. This part of Vadodara is full of old monuments, bazaras and old buildings & places of worships. Famous shopping places are Navabazar and Mangalbazar, M.G.Road, and monuments are Laxmi Vilas Palace, Char Darwaza, Mandvi, Nyaymandir, Nazarbaug Palace, Lalcourt, Sursagar, Tambekar Wada etc. To the Western side of Vishwamitri, is the more developed area with Malls, moerden buildings, well planned residential areas, multiplexs, colleges etc. Like, Alkapuri, Old Padra Road, Akota, Gotri.

People of Vadodara or Baroda is called BARODIAN.

Culture:

Vadodara is know as “Sanskari Nagari” i.e. Cultured City. Vadodara is one of India’s most cosmopolitan cities. Thanks to the vision and broadmindedness of the Gaekwads. Vadodara has welcomed wide variety of people from all over India and also from all over the world. In all of this, the sprawling and cosmopolitan M.S.University campus and the large number of local, national and foreign industries act as a catalysing and unifying force.

Its well know for the Garba and Ganesh Utsav. This two are the largest festivals of city. Even Barodians setteling abroad comes home to enjoy the festivals every year and this is the time during the month of Sep to Oct most of the visitors comes to the city for enjoying the festivity of beautiful Vadodara.

Source: en.wikipedia.org

Climate:

There are mainly 3 seasons: Summer, Monsoon and Winter. Aside from monsoon season the climate is dry. Very Hot during the month of March to July- Average maximum summer 36 °C ( Max. goes to 45 °C) . From November to February, The average maximum is 32 °C, the average minimum is 15 °C and the climate is extremely dry. The southwest monsoon brings a humid climate from mid June to Sep. The Average Rainfall is 36.7 inches (93cm) but infrequent heavy torrential rains cause the river to flood.

Best Time to Visit Vadodara is : September to March

Clothing: In summers –Cottons and in winter – Light woollens cloths.

People Speaks: Gujarati, Hindi, English.

Local Transport: Autos, Taxi, Local buses.

Major Festivals: Diwali, Ganesh Utsav, Navratri, Uttarayan, Holi, Eid, Gudi Padwa.

Vadodara is administered  by the VADODARA MAHANAGAR SEVA SADAN (VMSS).

Transport:

Air:  Vadodara Airport (IATA:BDQ) is located north-east of the city and has air connectivity with Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Banglore, Hyderabad and Nagpur. Info on Vadodara Airport

Rail: Railway had arrived in Vadodara in Jan-1861. Vadodara Railway Stations belongs to Western Railway zone of Indian Railways and is a major junction on the Western Railway line. Vadodara Junction is Gujarat’s Busiest junction with almost 150 trains passing everyday.

Info on Westernrailway

Road:

National Highway 8 connecting to Delhi –Gandhinagar with Ahmedabad to Mumbai, passes through the city. Ahmedabad –Vadodara Express highway a strech of 97 kms has made travel extremely fast and the travel from Vadodara to ahmedabad very convenient.

Info on Gujarat State Road Transport