A maharao's seaside retreat
Just behind Mandvi’s beach stands the elegant Vijay Vilas Palace, built in 1929 by Maharao Khengarji III as a summer retreat for the Kutch royal family. Set in landscaped gardens with its own private stretch of sand, it is one of Gujarat’s loveliest 20th-century palaces.
The palace rewards slow wandering: the durbar hall and family rooms shown to visitors keep their period furniture and hunting-era photographs, the coloured-glass windows throw patterns across the floors in the afternoon, and the rooftop terrace’s view — gardens, coconut fringe, then the Arabian Sea — explains at a glance why the Maharaos summered here. The private beach operates separately, with a small entry charge, and is Mandvi’s calmest stretch of sand.
Vijay Vilas sits a few kilometres west of Mandvi town, an easy rickshaw hop; combine it with the beach, the Ship-building yard where wooden dhows still rise on the creek, and the town’s famous dabeli stalls for a full Mandvi day. The palace keeps regular visiting hours with a modest ticket and camera fee; October to March is the season, and late afternoon gives the stone its warmest light.
Built in red sandstone, the palace blends Rajput-revival grandeur with local craft: a high central dome, bengal-style curved roofs on the corner pavilions, carved jharokha balconies, coloured-glass windows and breezy verandahs. A rooftop terrace offers sweeping views over the gardens to the Arabian Sea.
Film fans may recognise it — its romantic silhouette has starred in Bollywood hits including ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’ and ‘Lagaan’. Still partly owned by the royal family, it is open to visitors and pairs perfectly with a Mandvi beach day.
Domes, jharokhas and gardens by the sea.
A maharao's seaside house, and its film career
A 1929 palace of the Kutch royals.
Maharao Khengarji III builds Vijay Vilas as a royal summer retreat at Mandvi.
It serves as the seaside home of the Kutch ruling family.
Its silhouette features in several famous Bollywood films.
Partly royal-owned and open to visitors, with a private beach.
Reasons to make the time
Royal palace
An elegant 1929 summer palace of the Kutch royals.
Private beach
Its own quiet stretch of Mandvi sand.
Rajput design
Domes, jharokhas and bengal-roofed pavilions.
Film fame
Seen in 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' and 'Lagaan'.
Rooftop views
Sweeping vistas over gardens to the sea.
Garden setting
Landscaped grounds for an easy wander.
What to look for inside
PALACEDomes & jharokhas
The red-sandstone summer palace above its gardens.
BEACHPrivate shore
The palace's own quiet beach.
How to spend an hour or two
Tour the palace
Walk the halls, verandahs and royal rooms.
Climb to the roof
Take in views over the gardens to the sea.
Relax on the beach
Enjoy the palace's private stretch of sand.
Spot film locations
Recognise scenes from famous Bollywood films.
Stroll the gardens
Wander the landscaped grounds.
Catch the light
Late afternoon warms the red sandstone.
Red sandstone, domes and carved balconies.
Rajput revival by the Arabian Sea
Vijay Vilas is a refined example of early-20th-century Rajput-revival palace architecture. Built of warm red sandstone, it centres on a tall ribbed dome, flanked by corner pavilions with curved ‘bengal’ roofs, and is wrapped in carved jharokha balconies, jali screens and coloured-glass windows.
Wide verandahs and a breezy rooftop terrace make the most of the sea setting, while the symmetrical plan and landscaped gardens give it a serene, photogenic grandeur — a royal idea of the perfect seaside summer home.
For everything else the district holds, see our Kutch travel guide.
It is one of many — our guide to museums and palaces in Gujarat covers the rest.
Red-sandstone construction
Central ribbed dome
Bengal-roof corner pavilions
Carved jharokhas & jali
When to go
Cool, dry and clear — by far the best window for Kutch.
Green but humid; some sites are harder to reach.
Fierce desert heat; only for the very early or hardy.
⏰ Come in the late afternoon, tour the palace, then watch the sunset from its private beach.
Timings & entry
- Open through the day for visitors
- Allow about an hour for palace and grounds
- Combine with Mandvi beach next door
- Best light in the late afternoon
- An entry ticket applies
- A separate fee covers the private beach
- A camera fee may apply
- Parts remain a private royal residence
Getting there
By Air
Bhuj Airport (~60 km), then a road transfer to Mandvi.
By Rail
Bhuj is the railhead; Mandvi is ~60 km by road.
By Road
About 1.5 hours from Bhuj; the palace is just outside Mandvi town.
Shooting Vijay Vilas
PALACE & SEA
Red stone, domes and a private shore
What to shoot
The dome, jharokhas and the palace against the sky.
Best light
Late-afternoon sun warms the red sandstone.
The beach
Frame the palace from its private shore.
Film angles
Recreate the romantic Bollywood compositions.
Know before you go
More to see close by
Koteshwar
India’s westernmost temple, by the sea
FORTLakhpat Fort
A walled ghost-town on the edge of the Rann
WETLANDChari Dhand
Seasonal wetland of flamingos, pelicans & raptors
HERITAGEBhuj
The walled royal capital — palaces, bazaars & museums
UNESCODholavira
A 4,500-year-old Harappan city & ancient water system
FRONTIERBhujodi
India’s last temple before the Pakistan border
Where to eat near Vijay Vilas Palace
STREET FOODKutchi Dabeli
The spicy-sweet potato bun born in Mandvi.
THALIKachchhi Thali
Bajra rotla, kadhi and ghee-rich local fare.
SNACKSFarsan & sweets
Dabeli, bhungra-bateta and Kutchi sweets.
Largely vegetarian
Kutch is mostly veg — carry water on desert trips.
Vijay Vilas Palace FAQ
Where is Vijay Vilas Palace?
Just behind Mandvi beach, on the south coast of Kutch, ~60 km from Bhuj.
When was it built?
In 1929, by Maharao Khengarji III as a royal summer retreat.
Is there an entry fee?
Yes, plus a separate fee for the private beach and a possible camera fee.
What films was it in?
'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' and 'Lagaan', among others.
What are the timings?
Roughly 9 AM to 6 PM.
Does it have a beach?
Yes — a private stretch of Mandvi sand behind the palace.
How do I get there?
Drive ~60 km (about 1.5 hours) from Bhuj to Mandvi.
How long should I spend?
About an hour for the palace, longer with the beach.
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Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026