Vadodara, also known as ‘Baroda’, is the third most-populated town in the Indian state of Gujarat after Ahmedabad and Surat. Vadodara is a graceful city of palaces, parks, temples and museums. It is also known as Baroda and rises from the banks of River Vishwamitri. It is one of four towns in the state with a population of over 1 million, the other being Rajkot and the two cities listed above.

It is also known as the Sayaji Nagari or Sanskari Nagari (Cultural Capital of Gujarat). Vadodara or Baroda, formerly the capital city of Gaekwar State, is situated on the banks of Vishwamitri, a river whose name derived from the great saint Rishi Vishvamitra. It is located southeast of Ahmedabad. It is the administrative headquarters of Vadodara District.

Vadodara is home to almost 1.6 million people (as of 2005), the beautiful Lakshmi Vilas Palace and the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda (M.S.U.) which is famous for various departments, including the fine arts, performing arts, technology, management and medicine streams. It has a high literacy rate by Indian standards of 78% (2001). Major industries include petrochemicals, engineering, pharmaceuticals, and plastics.