Sayaji Garden

Sayaji Baug is a garden located in Vadodara, Gujarat, India. Also known as “Kamati Baug,” it was built by H.H. Maharaja Sayaji Rao Gaekwad – a great visionary ruler of Baroda. It is the biggest garden in Western India with the area surrounding more than 100 acres. It has one of the biggest floral clock in World and in India.

The Maharaja donated his own private collection of Indian and Exotic Animals to the Zoo, and on 8th January 1879, the park was declared open to the public.

Description :

Sayaji Baug was dedicated to the citizens of Vadodara by Maharaja Sayaji Rao Gaekwad III in 1879. Sayajirao III built Sayaji Baug, well known as Kamati Baug, on the river Vishwamitri. It is one of the largest public gardens in Western India, sprawling over 113 acres (0.46 km2). It has a rich flora of more than 98 species of trees. It is one of the finest gardens in India, and is maintained by Vadodara Municipal Corporation. Thousands of citizens of the city come here for their morning walk as well as for pleasant view of the garden. The garden is home to the Baroda Museum & Picture Gallery, the Sardar Patel Planetarium, and the Sayaji Baug Zoo.

There are three entrance gates. The main gate is at Sayaji square (informally known as “Kala Ghoda Chowk” or “black horse square” because of an equestrian statue standing there). This gate is only 800 meters from the main city railway station and even less from the city bus stand. The third gate is at Rana Pratap square in Fatehganj area, and the second gate stands somewhere in between first and third gates.

Toy train :

The toy train ride used to run on a track of width 10 inches (250 mm) covering a distance of 3.5 km giving the entire view of the garden to riders. The ride was a gift to the children of Vadodara from the royal Gaekwad dynasty.

Now a new train has been introduced instead of this small toy train. Its name is joy train in which even adults can sit. Joy train is bigger than the toy train. A new platform “Swami Vivekananda Station” is created for this train. The train timings are from 10 A.M. to 10 P.M. and it is closed on Thursdays. During the full journey of about 20 minutes the people are informed about the heritage of Vadodara an that of Kamati baug(garden) through speakers in the train.

to see the new joy train click here “new joy train at kamati baug”

The video for the popular song “Chakke pe Chakka, Chakke pe Gadi…” by Shankar Jaikishan from the film Brahmachari was shot on this train.

The Zoo and Aquarium :

The Sayaji Baug Zoo, situated on both the banks of the Vishwamitri river, in Sayajibaug the zoo was opened as part of the original park in 1879. The zoo offers 167 types of 1103 animals of various sizes and shapes. Asiatic lions are the most popular of the attractions. it also has a different bird zoo which has many different types of birds.

An aquarium was added to the zoo in 1962. It contains 45 species of fish.

Floral clock :

The floral clock was the first of its kind in the state. It consists of an hour, minute and seconds hand that move on the 20 ft (6.1 m) diameter dial. The machinery moving the clock is underground, giving the clock a natural look.

• Location: Vinoba Bhave Raod, Sayajiganj
• Timings: 9:30 am to 6:00 pm
• Entry Fee: Free entry, but the attractions within the garden are chargeable

How to get there

By Road: Vadodara, 112 km from Ahmedabad and 420 km from Mumbai, is located on National Highway 8. There are various state transport (ST) buses and private luxury coaches from all over Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, and Rajasthan. Ahmedabad-Vadodara intercity buses take 2 hours and run every 15 minutes. There are also several private bus companies on or near Station Road. Tickets vary according to the type of bus, but the average rate is Rs 100/- to Ahmedabad and Rs 200/- to Mumbai. You can also rent a car with a driver to explore the city and its surroundings at the Express Hotel. Rates range from Rs. 650/- without air-conditioning to Rs. 2200/- for luxury vehicles, for 8 hrs or 80 km per day.

By Rail: Vadodara, a major railway junction is located on the Western Railway, which connects Mumbai, Delhi, and Ahmedabad.

By Air: Vadodara is connected by various domestic airlines to Ahmedabad, Delhi, Mumbai, Daman, and Pune.