A temple of fame
Kirti Mandir — the ‘Temple of Fame’ — is the memorial and family cenotaph of the Gaekwad rulers of Baroda, built in the 1930s by Maharaja Sayajirao III to honour his ancestors. An E-shaped building in stone, it blends Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Islamic motifs, crowned by a central shikhara above a sundial.
Its great treasure is a series of murals by the celebrated artist Nandalal Bose, depicting scenes from the Mahabharata, the Gita and the descent of the river Ganga — among the finest mural work of modern India. Dignified and art-rich, Kirti Mandir is a fitting monument to the dynasty that shaped modern Baroda.
It is a memorial shrine, so modest dress is appreciated. Compact yet deeply rewarding, the building pairs beautifully with the Gaekwads’ other landmarks a short distance away, making it an easy and meaningful stop on any tour of Vadodara’s royal heritage.
Kirti Mandir, Vadodara.
Sayajirao's memorial to his ancestors
The carved shikhara.
Maharaja Sayajirao III raises the memorial to honour the Gaekwad ancestors of Baroda.
Conceived as a family cenotaph — a dignified shrine to the dynasty's forebears.
The interior is graced with murals by Nandalal Bose, among modern India's finest.
The E-shaped stone building fuses many traditions under a single soaring roof.
Reasons to make the time
Dynasty memorial
The Gaekwads.
Nandalal Bose
Masterful murals.
Carved stone
Rich detail.
Soaring shikhara
Above a sundial.
Style fusion
Many traditions.
Gaekwad heritage
Modern Baroda.
What to look for inside
THE SHRINEKirti Mandir
A memorial cenotaph.
THE ARTBose murals
Epic scenes within.
How to spend an hour or two
See the murals
Take in the Nandalal Bose murals — scenes from the Mahabharata, the Gita and the descent of the Ganga.
Admire the shikhara
Look up to the central shikhara and the sundial it crowns, the building's soaring centrepiece.
Learn the dynasty
Read the Gaekwad story — the ruling family who shaped modern Baroda and raised this memorial.
Study the carving
Trace the rich stonework and the fusion of Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Islamic detail.
Sense the memorial
Feel the calm of a dignified shrine built to honour ancestors, not to impress crowds.
Pair with the palace
Combine your visit with Laxmi Vilas Palace and the Gaekwads' other landmarks nearby.
Kirti Mandir’s stonework.
A carved cenotaph
Kirti Mandir (1930s) is the Gaekwad family cenotaph — an E-shaped stone building fusing Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Islamic motifs under a central shikhara, and famed for its murals by Nandalal Bose depicting the Mahabharata, Gita and Ganga.
A dignified, art-rich monument to Baroda’s dynasty, the memorial rewards a slow look: the carved stonework, the sundial beneath the shikhara, and the painted interiors together make it one of the city’s quiet artistic treasures.
It sits within Vadodara district — browse more places to visit in Vadodara.
It is one of many — our guide to temples across Gujarat covers the rest.
Gaekwad family cenotaph
Murals by Nandalal Bose
Fusion of many styles
A central shikhara & sundial
When to go
Cool and pleasant — the ideal season. Comfortable for unhurried exploring across the city.
Green and atmospheric after rain, with softer light and fewer visitors around the memorial.
Hot and dry — start early in the day, then move on to shaded palaces and gardens nearby.
⏰ Visit in the cooler months and combine it with Vadodara's palaces and gardens nearby.
Timings & entry
- Open in daytime hours
- Best in the cool season
- An easy Vadodara stop
- Pair with nearby sights
- Free entry
- Modest dress; remove footwear
- Respect worshippers
- Photography may vary
Getting there
By Air
Vadodara airport is about 9 km away, with domestic connections to major Indian cities and a short cab ride into town.
By Rail
Vadodara Junction is one of the busiest stations on the Mumbai–Delhi line, with easy links from across the country.
By Road
Kirti Mandir sits in and around central Vadodara — autos and app-cabs reach it easily from anywhere in the city.
At Kirti Mandir
STONE & MURAL
A dynasty's memorial
What to shoot
The carved shikhara.
Inside
The Bose murals.
Detail
Stone carving.
Best light
Facade by day.
Know before you go
More to see close by
ARTFine Arts Faculty
India’s most influential modern-art school
LAKESursagar Lake
A city lake crowned by a towering Shiva statue
RIVERFRONTVishwamitri Riverfront
Green riverbanks winding through the city
Garba Nights
Nine autumn nights when Vadodara becomes the largest participatory dance floor in the world, from the…
Sai Baba Temple
A much-loved modern city shrine
EME Temple
A unique geodesic, aluminium-clad Shiva temple
Where to eat near Kirti Mandir
THALIGujarati Thali
Sweet-savoury full meals.
FARSANSev usal
Baroda's spicy snack.
STREETLilo chevdo
Famous Baroda street food.
Foodie city
Famous for sev usal, lilo chevdo & farsan.
Kirti Mandir FAQ
What is Kirti Mandir?
Kirti Mandir — the 'Temple of Fame' — is the memorial and family cenotaph of the Gaekwad rulers of Baroda, built in the 1930s by Maharaja Sayajirao III to honour his ancestors. An E-shaped building in stone, it blends Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Islamic motifs, crowned by a central shikhara above a sundial.
Where is it?
Vadodara.
Is there an entry fee?
Free.
When should I visit?
October to March, in the cooler season.
What's nearby?
Vadodara's palaces, gardens and Champaner.
How long does it take?
About 30 minutes.
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Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026