World’s largest residence with 170 rooms is in India, but only 5 people live there, who is the beautiful Maharani of this palace?

Within its vast compound, the Palace complex consists of several other institutes, such as the Baroda Golf Club, Motibaug Cricket Grounds and The Maharaja Fatehsinhrao Museum.

Did you know that India is home to a palace so grand that it even outshines London’s Buckingham Palace in size and luxury? This magnificent palace, called the Laxmi Vilas Palace (Lukshmi Villas Palace)
, is not just a royal residence but the largest private residence in the world. Today, it is valued at over Rs. 24,000 crore, and visiting it feels like stepping into a real-life fairy tale.

Located in Vadodara, Gujarat, the palace is about four times larger than Buckingham Palace. It was built in 1890 by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. At that time, its construction cost was around Rs. 27 lakh (about £1,80,000) a huge amount in that era. Even today, the royal family lives here—Maharaja Samarjitsinh Gaekwad, his wife Radhikaraje Gaekwad, and their two daughters.

The palace was designed by British architect Major Charles Mant and it showcases a unique blend of Indian and European architecture, known as Indo-Saracenic style. Inside, the palace is filled with grand chandeliers, mosaic works, rare paintings, and priceless artifacts. One of its most fascinating features is an elevator installed during that time, which was extremely rare in the 19th century.

The palace complex is massive and includes several buildings like the Moti Baug Palace, the Maharaja Fateh Singh Museum, and LVP Banquets & Conventions. The museum inside the palace displays paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, miniature train models, and rare sculptures. There’s also the Navlakhi Stepwell, built in 1405, which attracts visitors, and a small zoo where crocodiles can still be seen.

Next to the palace is the Moti Baug Cricket Ground, which also has a swimming pool, clubhouse, gym, and a golf course. Interestingly, the golf course was built in the 1930s by Maharaja Pratapsinh to entertain European guests.

Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad is often regarded as one of the most graceful royal figures in the country. She married Maharaja Samarjitsinh Gaekwad in 2002. Samarjitsinh himself was once a Ranji Trophy cricketer. Later, he renovated parts of the palace and opened it to the public, allowing everyone to experience its royal charm.

Because of its grandeur and stunning interiors, Laxmi Vilas Palace has also been featured in several Bollywood films such as Prem Rog (1982), Dil Hi To Hai (1993), Grand Masti (2013), and Sardar Gabbar Singh (2016).

More than just a palace, Laxmi Vilas Palace is a symbol of India’s royal heritage and cultural pride. Visitors from around the world are left awestruck by its size, beauty, and historical significance. It truly stands as a shining example of India’s art, architecture, and history.

About Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad

Radhikaraje Gaekwad is the daughter of Dr. MK Ranjitsinh Jhala, a man who gave up the privileges of royal life to dedicate himself to protecting India’s wildlife. Born into the royal family of Wankaner in Saurashtra, Dr. Jhala chose a life of service, becoming an IAS officer so he could work on preserving India’s forests and endangered species.

Following in her father’s footsteps, Radhikaraje also focused on education and personal growth rather than just royal traditions. From a young age, she showed a deep interest in academics. She studied at Lady Shri Ram College for Women (LSR), one of Delhi University’s most prestigious colleges, where she earned her Master’s degree in Indian History.

While completing her higher studies, Radhikaraje also explored journalism and briefly worked as a writer for The Indian Express.

Highlights

1. Built between 1878 and 1890 by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III, the Lukshmi Vilas Palace in Vadodara, Gujarat, holds the title of the world’s largest private residence.
2. The palace has witnessed the coronation of four Gaekwad kings — Maharaja Pratapsinhrao in 1939, Maharaja Fatesinghrao in 1951, Maharaja Ranjitsinh in 1988, and most recently, Maharaja Samarjitsinh Gaekwad in 2012.
3. Today, Lukshmi Vilas Palace is home to His Highness Samarjitsinh Ranjitsinh Gaekwad, his wife, Her Highness Radhikaraje Gaekwad, their daughters, princesses Padmajaraje and Narayaniraje, and queen mother, Her Highness Shubhanginiraje Gaekwad, the Rajmata of Baroda.
4. A part of the palace is open for visitors during the day 10 am to 5 pm. Monday is the weekly off day. The ticket cost Rs. 200 and it includes a complimentary audio tour guide in either English, Hndi & Marathi.