
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.
Visitors can see the interiors including offices where the
Maharaos worked from dawn to afternoon, the rooms for entertaining,
the old living quarters. The domed terrace has a view over
the estate to the sea.
The palace is nestled in 450 acres of lush greenery, with
2 kilometers of private beach. The Vijay Vilas Palace has
its own private sanctuary maintained in an eco-friendly manner
to preserve its pristine beauty. In this sanctuary one can
see blue bulls, jackals and an occasional chinkara. One can
also see peacocks frolicking in the palace grounds as well
as partridges and other birds of the forest. This palace has
been used as the setting in many Hindi films and has now become
a popular tourist destination.
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