Vijay Vilas Palace

Vijaya Vilas Palace is one of the famous all time summer palace of Jadeja Maharao of Kutch located on sea-beach of Mandvi in Kutch, Gujarat, India.

The palace was built during reign of Maharao Shri Khengarji III, the Maharao of Kutch, as a summer resort for the use of his son & heir to the kingdom, the Yuvraj Shri Vijayaraji and is therefore, named after him as Vijaya Vilas Palace. The construction of palace started in year in 1920 and was completed in year 1929. The palace is built with red sandstone. It has all the elements of Rajput architecture and draws largely on the plan of palaces of Orchha and Datia. The central high dome on the pillars, the Bengal domes on the sides, the windows with colored glass, carved stone ‘jalis’, domed bastions at the corners, extended porch and other exquisitely stone-carved elements, make the palace worth visiting. The palace is set in the middle of well-laid gardens with water channels and marble fountains. The carved stone works of Jalis, Jharokas, Chhatris, Chhajas, murals and many other artistic stone carvings, colored glass work on windows and door panels all have been done by the architect and craftsman from places like Jaipur, Rajasthan, Bengal and Saurashtra, and local Kutchi artisan community, the Mistris of Kutch and Suthars. The mixture and mingling of architect and style of different regions of India, as such, can be distinctly seen in design & architect of the Vijaya Vilas Palace. The balcony at the top affords a superb view of the surrounding area. The tiny intricate windows gives one feeling to be out in open, through which cool sea wind passes out.

The campus also houses a Chhatri of Vijayaraji, who died in 1948, to whom this palace was very dear.

In popular culture

Scenes from the Bollywood blockbusters Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Lagaan, Commando as well as a number of Gujarati films, were shot in the palace.

Vijay Vilas Palace Tours

The palace is 7 km from the center of town, open every day from 9am-1pm and 3pm-6pm. Entry is Rs.20/-, photography costs Rs.50/-, and entering with a private vehicle is Rs.10/-.

How to get there

By Road: 8 Kms from Mandvi. ST buses and jeeps depart from Bhuj about every 30 min. from the central transportation area. For local excursions, jeeps can be hired in town.