The Vijay Vilas Palace, situated 8 km west of Mandvi, was constructed by Rao Vijayrajji in 1940. The palace was a summer retreat of the Maharao of Kutch. Covering an area of around 700 acres, the palace has umbrella shaped domes along with cupolas in Bengali and Rajasthani architectural styles. The walls of the palace are decorated with hunting trophies and paintings dating back to the reign of Rao Vijayrajji.
About Vijay Vilas Palace Mandvi in Gujarat :
Mandvi is a beautiful city and a municipality in the district of Kutch in Gujarat. Mandvi was earlier popular as the Paris of Kutch. This is because the Maharajas of Kutch made this place their summer resort because of its pleasant climate. With its rich traditional history, a tour to Mandvi is a must on your visit to the forts and monuments in Gujarat. The Vijay Vilas Palace in Mandvi is one of the best examples of the city’s glamorous historical background.
The Vijay Vilas Palace rises from a multi-acre estate along the coast near the town. This palace of His Highness Maharao Vijay Singhji, who ruled over Kutch in the 1940s, is an eclectic blend of architectural styles. Umbrella-domes like those seen in palaces of Bengal, cupolas that would not look out of place in Mughal buildings, jarokhas and cusp-arches like those seen in Rajput palaces of Rajasthan, Victorian Gothic arches and classical columns make up the ensemble. Yet the architects were skilled enough to make the entire complex look harmonious.
Mandvi’s Vijay Vilas Palace stands majestically amidst the landscaped and beautifully manicured gardens watered by a number of water channels and equally impressive marble fountains. The palace is a brilliant exemplification of Rajput architecture. One look at the palace and it won’t take the knowledgeable ones to understand that there is much similarity between the Vijay Vilas Palace, Mandvi and those of the Orcha and Datia palaces.
Some of the noteworthy features of the palace comprise of central dome supported by pillars, the windows graced with colored glasses, the intricate and exquisite window carvings, the bastions at the corners and the extended porch. Another aspect that makes this place such a hot favorite for the tourists is the private beach that features air-conditioned and tented accommodation. If you claim to be a beach lover, you can’t possibly ignore the appeal of the beach that boasts of a pristine and untainted beauty.
One of the reasons for this is the location of Mandvi i.e. on the banks of the River Rukmavati, near Gulf of Kutch in India. Initially, Mandvi was a fortified town and was enclosed within the fort walls. With time, the walls have disappeared, leaving behind a bastion on the southwest which acts as a lighthouse. During its glorious times, it served as an important trade center.
Vijay vilas palace, erected in the 1940s, with splendid architectural features- umbrella domes and cupolas of the Rajasthani and Bengali styles consort with Gothic arches and Baroque features! The impressive palace is now open to visitors who can see the paintings and trophies inside, and enjoy views of the huge grounds to the sea, from the terrace.
History of Vijay Vilas Palace Mandvi in Gujarat :
Vijay Vilas Palace is a royal palace set in the middle of well laid gardens with water channels and marble fountains. The architect and craftsmen from Jaipur designed and constructed the palace in 1920 AD.his credit for the design of the palace goes to the indigenous architects and craftsmen of Jaipur.
Interesting things to Visit:
Bandhni Bazaar:
Mandvi is known for the production of its famous Bandhani (tie-dye) and other country crafts.
Kasi Vishvanath Beach:
Kasi Vishvanath Beach, Salaya: This is another beach near Mandvi. It derives its name from a Shiv temple nearby.
Mandvi Traditional Ship Building:
Mandvi was originally a fortified town having a fort wall of about 8m high and 1.2m wide stone masonry. The fort had several gateways and 25 bastions; but at present, most of the wall has disappeared. The bastion on the southwest is largest and acts as a lighthouse.
Rukmavati Bridge:
The bridge on the Rukmavati River was built in 1883; it is the longest existing structure of its kind in India today.
Shyamji Krishna Verma Smarak:
The smarak(monument) is located near Lohana Mahajan Wadi. Shyamji Krishna Verma was a scholar and freedom fighter. He established India House in Britain to support Indian student going UK for studying, eventually India house become a foreign hub of nationalist activity for freedom of India. Shyamji Krishna Verma was born in Mandvi.
Topansar Lake:
Sitting in the heart of the city, this lake forms and important landmark as well as a source of water to the city.
Wind Farms:
There are a number of windmills on the Mandvi beach, engaged in the generation of power from wind energy.
Nearest Visiting places:
Lakhpat Fort:
Tomb in Lakhpat Fort, Lakhpat, Kutch, Gujarat Lakhpat is the last town situated at the western end of India, on the India-Pakistan border, at the junction of Kori Creek and Rann of Kutch. Lakhpat probably, derives its name from the prosperous maritime trade which generated a daily income of one Lakh (1,00,000) Kori, an old curency of Kutch State. Another legend says that it was founded by Rao Lakha, so it is named Lakhpat. Lakhpat is fortified town with high walls, several gates and bastions made out of hard stone. After a short period of prosperity, Lakhpat lost is maritime signfincance in 1851 AD, when the Sindhu river changed its course. Once a thriving town with population of 15,000 is today a deserted town with only few families livign here.
Narayan Sarovar Temple:
Narayan Sarovar means the Lake of Narayan, a name for Vishnu. There are actually five sacred lakes here. A temple complex is located on one of these. Narayan Sarovar is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for orthodox Hindus. The architecture is ancient and awe-inspiring. Narayan Sarovar in Kutch is the most ancient and pious place for Hindus. It is one of the five holy ponds in India. In this place there are temples of Shri Trikamraiji, Laxminarayan, Govardhannathji, Dwarkanath, Adinarayan, Ranchodraiji and Laxmiji. Maharaj Shri Deshalji’s Queen had built these temples. Devotee from all over India come to worship the lords here. Narayan Sarovar Temple, Kutch, Gujarat
Bhadreshwar Jain Temple:
Bhadreshwar Jain Temple in Kutch There are a number of temples built by Jain followers in Kutch. The Bhadreshwar temple, one of the most ancient temples situated in Bhadrawati, considered a very holy place is one such. Bhadrawati was ruled by King Sidhsen in 449 B.C (according to the Hindu calendar) who renovated the place. Later it was ruled by The Solankies who were Jains, and they changed the name to Bhadreshwar. Then in 1315, a great famine struck Kutch, after which the place was renovated by Jagadusha.
Near the village of Jalvana, at Koday Bohter Jinalaya is Jain pilgrim’s holy place. There are 72 statues of Jain Gods. The main God here is Prabhu Aadeswarji. The divine statue is 73 inches tall. Not only Jains but also people of all religions from all over India and abroad come and visit this temple.
Koteshwar:
In the district of Lakhpat is situated the temple of Koteshwar which is a holy place of pilgrimage in Kutch. There is an ancient story attached with it. They say that King Ravana wanted to be immortal and did tapasya of God Shiva. Lord Shiva gifted him with Ling which he could worship and become immortal. But in arrogance he dropped the ling, which on touching the ground turned into a thousand Lings. King Ravana could not recognize the original ling, and so the boon was lost. There were a thousand lings at that place so the Gods of heaven decided to build this temple and name it Koteshwar.
Anjar:
Anjar which is famous for the Shrine of Jesal and Toral, the folklore duo where in the tough out law Jesal was chastised by Toral, a Kachchhi Woman is also a centre of fairs.
Kandla Port:
Kandla Port, a national port, is one of the eleven most important ports of India. This port is situated on Kandla stream. The first investigation of this stream was undertaken by the British Royal India Navy in 1851 and a detailed survey done in 1922. This port is developed by Joint project of Maharao Shree Khengarji-III and British Government in the 19th century. Standard dry cargo treatment capacity of Kandla Port is 24,000 metric tons per day. Kandla Port, Kutch, Gujarat.
The port is under Ministry of Commerce and is managed by a Port Trust with a Chairman as its head. The Kandla Port Trust is run by a board of trustees. There is an administrator – representative of the ministry of Commerce – appointed for the management a free trade zone known as the Kandla Free Trade Zone placed near the port where hundreds of small and international companies are sited also. Owing to fast progress of Kandla port close city like Gandhidham also developed fast.
Mandavi Port:
Mandavi Port, Kutch, Gujarat. Mandvi Port is developed by Maharao Shree Khengarji-I in 1580 A.D. The kings of Kutch called the commercial people for development of Mandvi. According to Millburn (a writer), Mandvi is one of the great port of Kutch. There is a large amount of ships in Mandvi. Mandvi Port has its individual history.
This port is not in much progress now but many boats and ships are made here nowadays. Today, Mandvi is known for its port and sea.
Mundra Port:
Mundra Port is situated almost 10 Kms far from Mundra city. There are two ports: (1) Old Port (2) Adani Port. These ports are used the whole year. Today, these ports have much traffic of many large ships and steamers of world. These ports have a very bright future. Many people come from other states to work here. Mundra is also known for dry date ‘Kharek’. Kharek is exported to the other states. Mudra Port in Kutch
Jakhau Port:
Jakhau Port in Kutch Jakhau Port is also one of the oldest ports of Kutch. Today, this port is only used for fisher men. Jakhau Port has its own importance. This is a very beautiful Port of Kutch. There is a centre for coastguard and water department of B.S.F. in Jakhau Port.
Dholavira:
Above all the Harappan sites, the site of Dholavira nearby known as Kotada, in the Khadir island of Kutch stands separately. It is memorable for its wonderful planning and vastness of area and deposit. Currently, we can say that it is one of the two largest arrangements in India and the fourth or fifth largest in the subcontinent. The others arrangements are: Mohenjo-daro, Harappa, Gharo Bhiro (all in Pakistan) and Rakhigarhi (in India).
Dholavira, Kutch, Gujarat.Dholavira enjoys the exclusive characteristic of elastic a dedication of ten large sized signs of the Harappan script that is indeed the oldest sign-board of the world. A variety of used funerals structures is yet another feature of greater than importance throwing new light on the socio-religious beliefs by this means representative the presence of compound national groups in the Indus population of Dholavira.
Climate/Weather:
Weather of Kutch is tropical monsoon with an average annual rainfall of approximately 14 inches. In Summer temperature can reach up to 48°c. In Winter temperature ranges from 12 °c to 27 °c.
How To Reach There :
Nearest Railway Station: Bhuj railway station
Nearest Airport: Bhuj is connected by air with Mumbai and Ahmedabad. The Indian Airlines is Jet Airways have daily flights to Mumbai.
Road Transport: The Kutch Mandvi beach is well connected to all the important cities and other beach resorts in the region. Local transport largely consists of non-metered auto rickshaws.
Address:Vijay Vilas Palace Mandvi,Kutch,Gujrat,India
District: Kutch
Nearest City:Bhuj
Language: Gujarati, Hindi, and local dialects like Kutchi
Best time to visit: November to April