The Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, situated in the city of Vadodara Gujarat, is a magnificent monument that has been dedicated to the artistic and royal endowment of India. Originally built as a school for the children of the royal Gaekwad family, this iconic building within the grand Lakshmi Vilas Palace premises was converted into a museum that today welcomes thousands of locals as well as international travellers annually interested in art, history, and royalty.
A Sneak Peek into Past Folklore
This Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum is a memorial that is exclusively made in honor of one of the best reform-minded of Vadodara (formerly known as Baroda). The name of this great ruler is Maharaja Fateh Singh Rao Gaekwad who is the grandson of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. This palace was once an educational place for the royal kids of the family of the Gaekwad’s. The palace that was constructed in the 1800s is now turned into a museum which showcases Indo-Saracenic mastery with all the elaborate details, big rooms and high ceilings. The public was allowed access to the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum palace because they wanted to showcase the grand art collection of the royal family. This grand collection of art consists of miniature indian art, sculptures and european oil paintings, etc.
Why Is Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum So Popular?
- Crown Art Gatherings: The museum has an exceptional assortment of paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, one of India’s best painters, who was commissioned by the Gaekwad dynasty to produce portraits of the royal family and mythological settings.
- Multicultural Artistic Collection: The museum is a veritable gold mine of international artistic influences, ranging from Chinese and Japanese porcelain to Greco-Roman marble statues.
- Glimpses of the Royal Lifestyle: Guests are given a genuine look at the opulent way of life of Indian royalty by viewing royal furnishings, weapons, armory, and personal items.
- Opulence in Architecture: The museum is a work of architectural art, situated on the veranda grounds of Lakshmi Vilas Palace, an estate four times larger than Buckingham Palace.
- Approachability: The museum is easily reachable by car, train, and airplane because of its central Vadodara location.
Attractions at Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum
- Raja Ravi Varma Gallery: This is an art gallery that features original paintings that was once owned by the royal Gaekwad family. This art gallery also features royal family portraits.
- European & Oriental Art: This is a form of art that is included in the art collection of the royal family. You can see a lot of sculptures, porcelain, unique and antique clocks, statues made out of bronze and Victorian furniture.
- Arms & Armor Section: This section in the museum displays the sword, shields and daggers used by the royal family of the Gaekwads.
- Royal Memorabilia: The royal memorabilia is the collection of the royal family’s artifacts, documents and even some family photographs of that era.
- Sculpture Garden: This is an open space that is a collection of European sculptures outside the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum. This open space is a garden that has beautifully landscaped lawns.
Activities for Visitors
- Touring around the museum with a hired guide: You can take a tour at the museum. However, it would be advisable to hire a guide while you are inside the premises of the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum.
- Photography: Clicking photographs is allowed at some of the sections of the museum; however it is prohibited to click photographs of the confidential things.
- Art & History Learning: If you are someone who is into art and history both, then you should definitely visit this Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum. Mostly ideal for students and scholars.
- Museum Shop: There is an in-house showroom or a shop from where you can collect souvenirs, post-card, etc.
Best Time to Visit the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum
- The best time to visit the museum is the time between (October to March) the cool winter months as the climate of Vadodara is pleasant and cool.
- Hot and scorching weather (April to June) are not advisable as it is extremely hot and the temperatures soar above 35 degrees C.
- Monsoon season is also not preferred because the downpours just ruin your mood and plans.
Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum Timings and Ticket Prices
- Open: Tuesday to Sunday (Closed on Mondays and public holidays)
- Timing: 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Ticket Prices at the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum
- Indian Adults: INR 150/-
- Children (5-12 years): INR 50/-
- Foreign Nationals: INR 250/-
- Photography Fee (if applicable): INR 100/-
Nearby Places to Explore at the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum
- Lakshmi Vilas Palace: This is the place where the royal family resided. It is also known for its Darbar Halls and the stunning architecture.
- Sayaji Garden: The Largest Garden situated in the western India.
- Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery: This is a museum that is not inside the premises of the royal palace. Whereas it is located some few kilometers from the royal palaces.
- EME Temple: This is a temple built by the border security forces of India “The Indian Army”. This is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
- Sursagar Lake: This is a lake in Vadodara which allows boating in the lake and has a huge statue of Lord Shiva.
Accommodation Options Near Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum
- Hotel Vrundavan Residency: It is a hotel that provides decent and comfortable stays at affordable prices and is pet friendly.
- Hotel Nice, Vadodara: It is a three star hotel with good ratings and reviews from its customers. It is a hotel with all modern facilities and serves its customers to the best of its abilities.
- The Fern- An ecotel hotel, Vadodara: It is a four star hotel with great ambience and services. It is a hotel with a gym and also provides an airport shuttle.
- Grand Mercure Vadodara Surya Palace: It is a five star hotel providing best services and facilities to its customers at a higher price range.
How to Reach Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum
- By Air: The nearest hawai adda is the Vadodara Airport (6 kms) connecting all the major cities in India.
- By Train: The closest railway station is the Vadodara Railway Station (3 kms).
- By Road: The city of Vadodara is well connected to NHs and SHs. You can opt for a bus ride,, private car trip or hire a cab for travelling to Vadodara.
The Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum in Gujarat is a royal palace that takes you into a portal which teleports you to the regal past of India. So if you are someone who loves art, is curious about knowing the various forms of art that existed in the past should definitely once in a lifetime visit this museum. Once you enter the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, you will be mesmerised to see the royal charm, world-class collections and elegant surroundings screaming about Gujarat’s Heritage.
So the next time when you plan a trip to Vadodara, you should add the Maharaja Fateh Singh museum in your list of places to be explored at Vadodara.
After Vadodara’s Regal Past, Discover the Royal Heart of Udaipur
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