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.
A princely capital and its fusion palaces
Rajpipla’s royal architecture.
Rajpipla was the seat of a Gohil Rajput princely state that survived until accession to the Indian Union in 1948, with the ruling family still resident in the town.
The great building phase came in the early twentieth century, when the Maharajas raised Vijay Palace, the Indrajit-Padmini Mahal and a series of smaller residences and garden buildings.
The style is deliberately hybrid — classical European porticos, domes and colonnades set against Indian jharokhas, chhatris and carved detail, the standard princely idiom of the period.
Since the 1990s the palaces have been in near-constant use as film locations, and several now operate as heritage accommodation.
Reasons to make the time
Royal palaces
Vijay Palace is the largest and most theatrical of the group; the Indrajit-Padmini Mahal is smaller, better proportioned and the more satisfying building.
Princely capital
The Gohils ruled here for centuries, and Rajpipla remained a princely capital until 1948 — the town's plan and public buildings still follow from that.
Film locations
Domes, porticos and colonnades sit alongside jharokhas and chhatris, sometimes on the same elevation, which is the whole character of the place.
Fusion style
Bollywood has used these palaces repeatedly, which is why they look familiar to many Indian visitors who have never been here.
Gardens
Gardens, avenues and tanks were laid out with the palaces and still define the shape of the town centre.
Town charm
Rajpipla is a quiet counterweight to Kevadia and the Statue of Unity, about 25 km away and entirely different in character.
What to look for inside
THE PALACERoyal mahal
Early-20th-c. grandeur.
THE TOWNRajpipla
A princely capital.
How to spend an hour or two
See the palaces
Start with Vijay Palace, the grandest of the group, and take in the scale of the frontage before looking at anything in detail.
Admire the fusion style
See the Indrajit-Padmini Mahal, smaller and more elegant, and generally the building people remember afterwards.
Learn the Gohil story
Look for where the two architectural languages meet — a European pediment above an Indian bracket is the signature of the period.
Wander the town
Walk the gardens and avenues laid out with the palaces, which are as much a part of the plan as the buildings.
Sense the royal past
Check access before you travel. Some palaces are private family property, some are heritage hotels, and opening arrangements vary.
Pair with Kevadia
Combine Rajpipla with the Narmada ghats, the Karjan river and Kevadia for a full and varied day in the district.
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.)
More places to visit across the district are gathered in our Narmada travel guide.
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
GARDENValley of Flowers
A riverside garden in bloom below the statue
BOATINGEkta Cruise
River cruises & a sea-plane to the statue
Nareshwar Dham
A serene ashram on the Narmada banks
DAMSardar Sarovar Dam
A colossal dam across the Narmada river
ICONICStatue of Unity
The world’s tallest statue — 182 m of Sardar Patel
VIEWPOINTViewing Gallery
A gallery at the statue’s chest, 153 m up
Where to eat near Rajpipla Palaces
THALIGujarati Thali
Full sweet-savoury meals.
FARSANDhokla & farsan
Steamed snacks.
STREETKevadia 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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Published 24 June 2026 · Updated 24 August 2026