Vadodara

Formerly known as Baroda, Vadodara is the third largest city in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is located on the banks of the Vishwamitri River, about 120 kilometers west of Ahmedabad. Vadodara is the administrative headquarters of Vadodara District and the Vadodara Division. The city is home to Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, the largest university in Gujarat. It is also the home of the National Institute of Design, the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA), and the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI). The city is an important industrial center in India. It is home to the Baroda Rayon Corporation, the Baroda Cement Company, the Gujarat State Fertilizers and Chemicals Limited, the Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Limited, and the Gujarat Heavy Chemicals Limited. Vadodara is a major cultural center in Gujarat. It is home to the Sayaji Bagh gardens, the Baroda Museum and Gallery, the Laxmi Vilas Palace, and the Nazarbaug Palace. The city is also home to a number of Hindu temples, including the Kirti Mandir, the Ekanathji temple, the Swaminarayan temple, and the Lakshmi Vilas temple.