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Places  of  Interest  in  Rajpipla
Vadia Palace Summer Villa Palace
 
OTHER  PALACES
The  finest  Palace  of  Rajpipla  is  the Indrajeet  Padmini  Mahal, better  known  as  Vadia  Palace  as the  entire  village  of  Vadia  was   demolished and re-located   to  build  this  palace in  the 1930s. The  palace  was  set  in  a  151  acre  estate, with  well  laid  out  formal gardens  and  mango-and-lime  orchards, and  the  building  itself  covered  almost  4320  sq yards. It  was  financed  by  Maharajah  Vijay  Sinhji's winnings   at the  Epsom Derby  and  cost  around  Rs.40  lakhs(Rs.4  million). The  building was  designed  by   Shapoorji  Curimbouy  &  co in  a  predominantly Indo-Saracenic  style,  with  a  few  western  features. Inside,  however,  retains  much  of  the  European  character  one  would  expect  from  a  Palace  erected  during  the  1930s  and '40s. Much  of  the  flooring  is  in Italian  marble  of  different  colors  arranged  in  various  geometric  patterns,  such  that  no  two  rooms  or  galleries are  floored  alike.  At  the  rear  is  a  marble  fountain with  intricate  patterns  matching  the  flooring  of  the  gallery  in  which  it  is  situated. Over  1000  wooden doors  and   windows  of  the  Palace  were  made  from Burma  teak. The   Palace  was  centrally  air-conditioned,  with  ducts  still  visible  on  the  walls. It  had  11  bedrooms-9  distributed  in  the  2  storey  of  the  Palace, a  sub-terrenean  chamber  and  a  suite  facing  the  terrace-all  with  baths  attached. The ballroom  had  a Burma  teak  flooring,  the sitting  room  was  done  up  in  wall paintings  of   dancing  girls, the  bar  room  muralled   with  drunk  monkeys,  the  drawing  room  had   beautiful  paintings  of  events  from  lord  Krishna's  lifetime,  the  prayer  room  has  a  series  of  wall and ceiling  frescoes  of  Hindu  deities,  the  reception  behind  the  portico  is  painted  with  floral  and  faunal  subjects. As  at  the  Natvar  Niwas,  the  painting  was  done  by  Italian  artist  Wali,  yet  the  quality  of  Indian  devotional  paintings  and other  local themes  is  flaw-less. The  drawing  room  was  illuminated  with  lights  concealed  in  marble  globes,  which  were  filled  also  with  exotic  perfumes. A  water  circulation  system revolved  the  marble  globes  such  that  the scent  of the  perfumes  spread  in the  hall.  Elevator  took  the  royal  family  and  their  guests  up  to  the  first  floor and on the terrace The  kitchen  was  in  an out-house, partially  submerged  so  that  it  did  not  spoil  the  view  from the  galleries  or  from  the  intricate  rear  facade  of  the  Palace. A  30  yard  long insulated  passage,  took  food  in  trolleys  to  the  pantry  in  the  main  building. The  Palace  is  now  the  Forest  Ranger's  College  and  an  Ayurvedic (Pharmacy) College Other Palaces  of  Rajpipla  are  now  educational and government institutions.
The Summer Villa Guest House (now Arts and Science College) was constructed at Rajpipla by Maharaja Vijay Singhji in around 1930’s specially to provide star-rated accommodation for his European guests, It has two spiral wooden staircases, leading to upper floor. The symmetrical architecture with arches on both sides of passages, Italian marble flooring and plaster of Paris false ceilings still exists.
 
 
When Maharaja Vijay Singhji expired in 1951, it was proposed to have a monument in his memory at Rajpipla, befitting to his status and personality. As he was fond of horses and won many Trophies in Polo and Races in India and abroad, so it was decided to collect a fund and then his bronze statue on horse back was made and installed at the entry point of Rajpipla town in 1953. Everyday many people who wish something take a vow and when it is fulfilled, then they break a coconut and garland the Statue.
 
MAHARAJA VIJAY SINHJI STATUE  
 
 
The idol of Harsiddhi Mataji with a sindoor face was brought on foot by Maharana Verisalji (I) to Rajpipla from Ujjain (a holy place, now in Madhya Pradesh) in 1657. It is believed that the Ruler had a dream whereby while carrying the idol if he looks back at whichever place then it is to be installed there itself. So presently the temple is built at the same place and the Goddess is the deity of the Rajpipla Royal Family, Although devotees come throughout the year, but especially during Navaratri Festival, thousands of worshippers visit the Temple for prayers where an amusement fair is also held.
 
  HARSIDDHI MATAJI TEMPLE
 
The Victoria Memorial Gate was constructed by Maharana Chhatra Singhji opposite the past Old Palace and the present S.T. Depot. This archway has the Statue of Queen Victoria on the top and it was to commemorate her rule as Empress of England and the Indian Empire.
 
VICTORIA GATE  
 
 

The Shewan Memorial Red Clock Tower was constructed by Maharana Chhatra Singhji in 1896 in memory of this British officer and his association with the Rajpipla State. The Tower has European architecture and is near the Statue of Maharana Gambhir Singhji.

 
  The Shewan Memorial Red Clock Tower