Vadodara, also known as Baroda, is the third-largest city in the Indian state of Gujarat. It serves as the administrative headquarters of the Vadodara district and is situated on the banks of the Vishwamitri River, 141 kilometres (88 mi) from the state capital of Gandhinagar. The railway line and National Highway 8, which connect Delhi with Mumbai, pass through Vadodara. The city is named for its abundance of the Banyan (Vad) tree. Vadodara is also locally referred to as the Sanskari Nagari (transl. 'Cultural City') and Kala Nagari (transl. 'City of Art') of India.
The city is prominent for landmarks such as the Laxmi Vilas Palace, which served as the residence of the Maratha royal Gaekwad dynasty, a that ruled over Baroda State. It is also the home of the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.


The city was earlier known as "Baroda" and was renamed to Vadodara in 1990. The name "Vadodara" is derived from the Sanskrit word 'vatodar' meaning ‘in the belly of Banyan tree’, referring to the numerous banyan trees found in this region. It has been named after a village called 'Vatva'. The British Raj borrowed it from there, changing it to Baroda.

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