2.2 million people and one place that all of them call home; VADODARA!

From retired people’s paradise to college going students’ hub, this city is one of the most diverse places in INDIA. Also known as the cultural capital of Gujarat, here are some interesting facts that you probably didn’t know about the city:

 

  1. KAMATI BAUG IS THE LARGEST GARDEN IN WESTERN INDIA.

Situated in the heart of the city, this garden is spread over a stretch of about 113 Acres with a rich flora of 98 trees, some of which are very rare. It also houses a museum, planetarium, aquarium and a zoo giving shelter to 167 types of animals including the Asiatic lion. Opened in 1879, its main attraction is a floral clock with a diameter of 20 feet.

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  1. WE HAVE OUR OWN CRICKET TEAM!

 

Baroda cricket team is a domestic cricket team, which has won the Ranji trophy 5 times and has been the runner up for four years. Their home ground being the Motibaug cricket stadium which is also the oldest cricket ground in Asia spread over a sprawling 700 acre complex in the heart of the city. The stadium has a seating capacity of 18,000 people.

 

BARODA

  1. MOON OF BARODA: THE DIAMOND.

Yes, you read it right. The moon of Baroda is a 24.04 carats cut diamond discovered in Vadodara. Originally owned by the Gaekwad royalty it was later given as a gift to the only female monarch of Habsburg dynasty, Maria Theresa of Austria. The diamond changed many hands including that of Marilyn Monroe who wore it for an album and a film. The whereabouts of this precious stone has been unknown since 2012 when it was last seen on a Japanese appraisal television program.

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Also View :- Checkout This Haunted Places in Vadodara

  1. INDIA’S FIRST NARROW GAUGE WAS IN VADODARA.

The railway line from Dabhoi to Miyagam was India’s first narrow gauge to be laid in the country in the year 1862 and also the first railway to be owned by a princely state. Initially oxen were used to haul the train but within a year were replaced by locomotive engines. This was a 13 Kms. long and 2 feet 3 inches wide railway line.

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  1. VADODARA MARATHON: SMALLEST CITY, BIGGEST MARATHON!

Vadodara is the first non metro city to hold an international marathon, that too on such a huge scale. Started in the year 2009, the last 2016 marathon witnessed the registration of about 65,000 people. Vadodara Marathon is also the recipient of the AIMS gold medal for ‘smallest city, biggest Marathon’.

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  1. AIRCRAFTS- THE BARODA CONNECTION

The flying of the aircraft called the Marutsakha built by Dr.Talpade is said to be supported as well as witnessed by the then king of Baroda- Sayajirao Gaekwad 3. This was 8 years before the wright brothers came to fame.

Sayajirao_Gaekwad_III,_Maharaja_of_Baroda,_1919

 

  1. VADAPADRAKA BECOMES VADODARA:

The first mention of Vadodara comes in a granth which mentions it as a part of a bigger area situated on the western side of the river Vishwamitri called the Ankottaka(now Akota). However, in 1600 AD, due to heavy flooding, the inhabitants shifted to the eastern side then named Vadapadraka, that is modern day Vadoadar. The city gets its name from the abundance of banyan trees.

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Also View :- Checkout This Haunted Places in Vadodara