Vijaya Vilas Palace

The palace was built during reign of Maharao Shri Khengarji III, the Maharao of Kutch, as a summer resort for the use of his son & heir to the kingdom, the Yuvraj Shri Vijayaraji and is therefore, named after him as Vijaya Vilas Palace. The construction of palace started in year in 1920[3] and was completed in year 1929.[1][2][3] The palace is built with red sandstone. It has all the elements of Rajput architecture and draws largely on the plan of palaces of Orchha and Datia. The central high dome on the pillars, the Bengal domes on the sides, the windows with colored glass, carved stone 'jalis', domed bastions at the corners, extended porch and other exquisitely stone-carved elements, make the palace worth visiting. The palace is set in the middle of well-laid gardens with water channels and marble fountains. The carved stone works of Jalis, Jharokas, Chhatris, Chhajas, murals and many other artistic stone carvings, colored glass work on windows and door panels all have been done by the architect and craftsman from places like Jaipur, Rajasthan, Bengal and Saurashtra, and local Kutchi artisan community, the Mistris of Kutch and Suthars. The mixture and mingling of architect and style of different regions of India, as such, can be distinctly seen in design & architect of the Vijaya Vilas Palace.[1][2][3] The balcony at the top affords a superb view of the surrounding area. The tiny intricate windows gives one feeling to be out in open, through which cool sea wind passes out.[1][2][3]

The campus also houses a Chhatri of Vijayaraji, who died in 1948, to whom this palace was very dear.

Vijaya Vilas Palace has its own private beach which offers air-conditioned tented accommodation. The royal family of Kutch State now reside permanently in the palace, who earlier used it only as a summer resort. It was after the 2001 Gujarat earthquake in which one of the wings of their other palace at Bhuj - the Ranjit Vilas - was heavily damaged, they moved into Vijaya Vilas Palace. The Palace also houses a museum.[2]

• 
  Front View Vijay Vilas Palace
• 
  Vijaya Vilas Palace standing at sea shore of Mandavi
• 
  A closer view of gate, one can see name plate - Vijaya Vilas - on top of entrance
• 
  Inside the palace
• 
  On the top

Scenes from the Bollywood blockbusters Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Lagaan, Commando as well as a number of Gujarati films, were shot in the palace. [4]