Sayaji Baug, Vadodara - Timings, Entry Fee, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 2 km from Vadodara Railway Station, Sayaji Baug is a public park located in Vadodara, Gujarat. Also known as Kamati Baug, it is one of the largest public gardens in Western India and among the top places of sightseeing in Vadodara.

Situated on the banks of Vishwamitri River, Sayaji Baug was built by Maharaja Sayajirao III in 1879. Sprawling over an area of 113 acres, the garden houses a Zoo, Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery, the Museum of Health and Hygiene, the Sardar Patel Planetarium and an operational toy train. Maintained by Vadodara Municipal Corporation, the park has three entrance gates where the main gate is at Sayaji Square locally known as 'Kala Ghoda Chowk' because of an equestrian statue standing there. This gate is only 800 meters from the main railway station. The third gate is at Rana Pratap square in Fatehgunj area, while the second gate stands somewhere in between first and third gates. Sayaji Baug, decorated with sculptures placed on pedestals, is an ideal place to rest and relax with well-maintained lawns and fountains. Around 98 species of trees can be seen here.

The major attraction of the park is the floral clock, situated at the center of the garden and is the first of its kind in Gujarat. The machinery of the clock is underground, and its hour, minute and seconds hands move on a 20 feet diameter dial. There is also an astronomy park next to the planetarium that showcases the ancient Indian astronomical instruments. Another attraction of this park is the toy train that serves as a joy ride for visitors. Running on a small track width of 10 inches along a distance of 3.5 km, Joy train has 4 coaches and each coach will accommodate 36 passengers.

Built in 1894, the Baroda Museum and Picture Gallery within Sayaji Baug preserves a rich collection of art, sculpture, ethnography and ethnology. Major attractions of this museum include Egyptian mummy and skeleton of a blue whale. The picture gallery, which was opened in 1921, exhibits art works of British painters. Situated near the main gate of Sayaji Baug, the Sardar Patel Planetarium offers daily public shows as well as special shows to educational institutions. Established in 1932, the Health Museum situated in the Sayaji Baug premises is noted for its health exhibits, models of human anatomy, maps and charts on the subjects of health and sanitation.

Situated on both the banks of the River Vishwamitri in Sayaji Baug, the zoo was opened for the visitors in 1879. Situated in the natural atmosphere, the Sayaji Baug Zoo has 35 types of mammals including the tiger, the lion, the panther, deer and so on. It also has 122 types of colourful birds including blue crown pigeon, 10 types of reptiles include alligator, ghadials and many more. An aquarium containing 45 species of fish was added to the Sayaji Baug Zoo in 1962.

Park Timings: 5 AM - 9 PM

Baroda Museum & Art Gallery: 10.30 AM - 5.30 PM

Health Museum Timings: 11 AM - 6 PM, Closed on Sundays & Public Holidays

Zoo Timings: 8 AM to 11.30 AM & 2.30 PM to 6 PM, Closed on Thursdays

Toy Train Timings: 10 AM - 8 PM, Closed on Thursday

Planetarium Show Timings: 4 PM (Gujarati), 5 PM (English), 6 PM (Hindi)

Entry : Rs. 10 for Indians & Rs. 200 for Foreigners for Baroda Museum, Rs. 40 for Adults & Rs. 20 for Children for Toy Train, Rs. 10 for Adults & Rs. 5 for Children for Zoo, Rs. 7 for Adults & Rs. 5 for Children for Planetarium