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One of the most beautiful cities, Vadodara, formerly called Baroda, is touted as the Cultural Capital of Gujarat.
The reason is – the presence of prominent historical architectures, museums, delicious cuisines, and fun-loving people to offer you exceedingly great times.
The third-largest city of Gujarat, Vadodara, is situated on the banks of the Vishwamitri River.
Besides cultural heritage, Vadodara is advancing in the technological sector and has the most thriving start-up communities.
When it comes to innovative and ambitious business projects, Vadodara holds the potential to outshine other cities in Gujarat. This city can be the ideal place for SMBs and entrepreneurs striving to broaden their business horizons.
If you are looking forward to expanding your business in Vadodara, this post will offer interesting insights to ease your decision-making.
Here are the top 10 advantages of living in Vadodara.
Vadodara has an excellent infrastructure that provides the highest standard of living to its citizens.
From integrated townships, educational institutions, IT technology parks, hospitals, and shopping malls, Vadodara is equipped with world-class amenities.
The best part? The city offers economical coworking spaces that can help SMBs gain an entrepreneurial edge within affordable budgets.
The Vadodara Central Bus Terminal is an integral part of this city.
It serves as a quick, convenient, and affordable means of travelling to working professionals.
Besides, the Vadodara Junction railway station (formerly Baroda City Junction) and the Vadodara airport offers seamless connectivity from this city to domestic and international places.
Vadodara is one of the most famous foodie destinations in Gujarat.
Head to street food vendors or high-profile restaurants – the delicious food in Vadodara leaves everyone craving for more.
Sev Usal, Vada Pav, Dabeli, Jalebi are some of the classic Gujarati dishes served here. Besides, the city offers a combination of Indian, Chinese, Thai, Iranian, Mexican, and many more international cuisines.
The standard of living in Vadodra is high. However, the cost of living in this city is quite pocket-friendly.
The estimated monthly living cost of a single person, excluding rent, is nearly 24,000 INR. When compared to Bengaluru, the rent in this city is around 50% lower.
That is why Vadodara is considered one of the most favourable cities in India to work and stay.
Locally referred to as ‘The Sanskari Nagari,’ Vadodara is enriched with vibrant culture and values. Barodians love to celebrate various festivals like Uttarayan or the Kite Festival, Janmashtami, Diwali, and Navratri.
Among all these, Navratri is the most celebrated festival, where they worship Goddess Durga for nine days. The rituals of Navratri give everyone a chance to reconnect to the supreme power and fill the mind with positivity. The iconic folk dance Garba adds charm to the massive nine-day celebration.
The educational institutions in this city are renowned for providing quality education. Universities, such as Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Navrachana University, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth, ITM Vocational University, offer world-class knowledge platforms to students across the globe.
Business owners looking to expand their venture in Vadodara can find and hire the best talent for their organization from these universities.
The crime rate in Vadodara is extremely low, making it an ideal place, especially for women, to reside and work. The city offers a real sense of safety and community spirit, topped up with helpful people.
Have a look at the shared data depicting the safety levels of this city.
Broadly, the climate in Vadodara varies between hot, dry, and rainy. However, the climate is generally arid throughout the year. People accustomed to cold weather might find it uncomfortable.
Loving, caring, warm, social, and vibrant – this sums up the nature of Barodians. They respect every religion, and the warmth of the welcome they give to new residents is unbelievable!
Furthermore, Barodians are known for their strong business acumen. Networking with them will surely help your entrepreneurial journey.
Astonishing historical monuments, marvellous palaces, impressive museums with striking architectural designs, film studios, theatres, well-located shopping malls – the list of entertainment amenities are endless. One can choose from these multiple options to refresh their mind after a hectic day at work!
Here are the top 10 places of interest in Vadodara.
Timings – 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Days – Tuesday to Sunday (Closed on Mondays and Public Holidays)
Entry Fee – INR 150
A fine example of Indo-Saracenic architectural style, the Laxmi Vilas Palace was built by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III in 1890. As compared to Buckingham Palace in London, this magnificent Palace is nearly four times larger.
Spread across a land of seven hundred acres, this is the largest abode constructed to date. The Darbar Hall displaying Raja’s throne is a treat for history enthusiasts.
Timings – 5:00 AM – 8:00 PM (Garden), 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Toy Train), 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Zoo)
Days – Friday to Wednesday (Closed on Thursdays)
Entry Fee – Free Entry to Garden
Toy Train – INR 40 (Adults), INR 20 (Kids)
Zoo – INR 10 (Adults), INR 5 (Kids)
The most extensive garden, Sayaji Baug or Sayaji Gardens, was built by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. This garden is spread over 45 hectares of space and comprises nearly a hundred species of trees and plants.
That’s not all. This garden also houses a big toy train and a zoo, making it an excellent destination to spend time with friends and family.
Timings – 24 Hours Open
Days – Monday to Sunday
Entry Fee – None
Located in the heart of the Vadodara, the massive Sursagar lake is a must-visit in the summers. The 120-feet tall statue of Lord Shiva situated in the water body looks pleasing and perfectly complements the serene ambience.
Timings – 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 2:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Days – Monday to Sunday
Entry Fee – INR 20
Popularly known as the Temple of Fame, Kirti Mandir was built in honour of the Gaekwad dynasty of Marathas. The rooms in this temple showcase various scriptures, an undivided map of India, and rare photographs of the Gaekwad family. This charismatic place of interest is open for visitors throughout the year.
Timings – 7:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Days – Monday to Sunday
Entry Fee – None
When it comes to street shopping in Vadodara, the Khanderao market is the place to hit. Khanderao market offers ethnic dresses, trendy accessories, fresh flowers, sweets, and much more. The market is located within a grand edifice built by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, which makes it even more appealing for visitors.
Timings – 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Days – Monday to Sunday
Entry Fee – Free for Kids Below 5 years
INR 15 (For 5 to 12 Years Kids)
INR 20 (Above 12 Years)
Decked with the greenery of palm trees and beautiful plants, the Ajwa Nimeta Garden is an ideal spot to unwind with friends and family. The musical fountains adorned with vibrant colours look astonishing, especially in the evening.
Timings – 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Days – Monday to Sunday
Commonly called, the MSU, the Maharaja Sayajirao University is one of the top-notch universities in India. Established in 1949, the educational institution offers a wide array of facilities, such as commerce, arts, law, medicine, science, social work, journalism, and others.
The state-of-the-art infrastructure and the advanced curriculum has made this institution popular among educationalists across the world.
Timings – 6:30 AM – 8:30 PM
Days – Monday to Saturday (Closed on Sundays)
Entry Fee – None
The EME temple or the Electrical and Mechanical Engineer Corps temple is a special kind of temple. This temple is a representation of the secularity practised in the Indian Army.
Referred to as, Dakshinamurthy temple by Barodians, the temple has a peculiar design of holy symbols from various religions. The Kalash symbolizes Hinduism, the tower represents Christianity, the golden structure above the tower represents Buddhism, and the dome represents Islam.
Timings – 3:45 PM – 6:00 PM
Days – Monday to Sunday (Closed on Thursdays and Public Holidays)
Entry Fee – INR 20
Located within the boundary of the Sayaji Baug, The Sardar Patel Planetarium is a perfect place for astronomy enthusiasts. This pyramid-shaped planetarium has 200 seats, high-quality sound speakers, and a large projection screen. Visitors can enjoy insightful astronomical sessions in English, Hindi, and Gujarati language.
Timings – 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Days – 24 Hours
Entry Fee – None
The Mandvi Gate is a significant landmark in Vadodara that portrays the architectural beauty of the Mughal era. Earlier, the square-shaped gate served as a toll gate for traders. Today, owing to the stunning architectural design, this historic structure has become one of the popular spots for visitors.
Vadodara is a shining example of a city with world-class infrastructure and historical marvels. Home to cost-efficient coworking spaces, this city offers ample growth opportunities for businesses, especially SMBs.
As a business owner, you can build strong professional relationships and enjoy the company of like-minded working professionals. You must make the smart move and expand your business venture in Vadodara.
