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HERITAGE · PALACE · ROYALRajpipla Palaces
A princely town of palaces — Rajpipla, former capital of a Gujarat princely state, where grand palaces like the Vijay and Indrajit-Padmini mahals recall a royal past.
A royal capital
Rajpipla is the historic heart of Narmada district — for centuries the capital of the Rajpipla princely state, ruled by the Gohil Rajputs, and today a town rich in royal heritage.
Its grandest legacy is a clutch of early-20th-century palaces built by the Maharajas, blending European and Indian styles: the imposing Vijay Palace, the elegant Indrajit-Padmini Mahal and others, set amid gardens and avenues. Long popular as film-shoot locations for their cinematic grandeur, the palaces — some still owned by the royal family — speak of an age of princely wealth and taste.
The town also offers temples, the Karjan river and a relaxed small-town charm — a graceful counterpoint to nearby Kevadia. Some palaces are private or run as heritage stays, so check access before you go.
A Rajpipla palace.
From a riverside experiment to the road to freedom
Rajpipla’s royal architecture.
Capital of Rajpipla, ruled by Gohils.
Grand early-20th-c. mahals.
European & Indian.
Heritage & film locations.
Reasons to make the time
Royal palaces
Vijay & Padmini mahals.
Princely capital
A Gohil state.
Film locations
Cinematic grandeur.
Fusion style
European & Indian.
Gardens
Avenues & grounds.
Town charm
Temples & river.
What to look for inside
Royal mahal
Early-20th-c. grandeur.
Rajpipla
A princely capital.
How to spend an hour or two
See the palaces
Vijay & Padmini mahals.
Admire the fusion style
European & Indian.
Learn the Gohil story
A princely state.
Wander the town
Temples & river.
Sense the royal past
An age of wealth.
Pair with Kevadia
The statue nearby.
A Rajpipla palace.
Palaces of a princely state
Rajpipla, capital of a Gohil Rajput princely state, is rich in early-20th-century palaces — the imposing Vijay Palace and elegant Indrajit-Padmini Mahal among them — blending European and Indian styles, long popular as film locations. A graceful royal town near Kevadia. (Some palaces private; check access.)
Capital of a princely state
Grand early-20th-c. palaces
European-Indian fusion
Popular film locations
When to go
Cool and pleasant — the ideal season.
Lush, green and full waterfalls.
Hot — start early.
⏰ Visit in the cooler months; the waterfalls are fullest just after the monsoon.
Timings & entry
- Open in daytime hours
- Best Oct–Mar
- Pair with the Statue of Unity
- Allow time to travel
- Some palaces are private
- Some are heritage stays
- Check access locally
- Admire the exteriors
Getting there
By Air
Vadodara airport (~90 km).
By Rail
Ekta Nagar (Kevadia) station.
By Road
Kevadia / Rajpipla.
At Rajpipla Palaces
PALACE & ROYALTY
A princely town
What to shoot
The palaces.
Detail
Fusion architecture.
Setting
Gardens & avenues.
Best light
Facades at golden hour.
Know before you go
More to see close by
Shoolpaneshwar
Gujarat's largest sanctuary — leopards, sloth bears & gaur
Ekta Nursery
A vast green nursery & arboretum
Zarwani Falls
Zarwani Falls
Valley of Flowers
A riverside garden in bloom below the statue
Narmada Ghats
A revered Dattatreya temple on the Narmada
Shoolpaneshwar Temple
A forest Shiva shrine that named the sanctuary
Where to eat around the ashram
Gujarati Thali
Full sweet-savoury meals.
Dhokla & farsan
Steamed snacks.
Kevadia food courts
Snacks for visitors.
Local fare
Gujarati & tribal food; Kevadia food courts.
Rajpipla Palaces FAQ
What is Rajpipla Palaces?
Rajpipla is the historic heart of Narmada district — for centuries the capital of the Rajpipla princely state, ruled by the Gohil Rajputs, and today a town rich in royal heritage. Its grandest legacy is a clutch of early-20th-century palaces built by the Maharajas, blending European and Indian styles: the imposing Vijay Palace, the elegant Indrajit-Padmini Mahal and others, set amid gardens and avenues.
Where is it?
Rajpipla, Narmada district.
Is there an entry fee?
Varies.
When should I visit?
October to March; waterfalls after the monsoon.
What's nearby?
The Statue of Unity, Sardar Sarovar Dam and Kevadia.
How long does it take?
1–2 hours.
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Balaram-Ambaji
Wooded Aravalli hills rich in wildlife
Panchmahal
Champaner-Pavagadh heritage
ISKCON Rajkot
A grand modern Krishna temple complex
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