Vijaya Vilas Palace & Mandavi Beach

Aditi Ghosh

Vijaya Vilas Palace standing at the seashore of Mandavi was built between 1920-29 by Rao Vijayrajji with red sandstone. The mixture and mingling of architectural styles of different regions of India can be distinctly seen in its design. It was a summer resort earlier for the royal family but now they live on the first floor of it. Ground and top floors are open for visitors. The palace reminds me of the scenes from movies Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Lagaan, and Commando.

Mandvi Beach somehow disappointed me. It was dirty, crowded and chaotic. However, I had my best Gujarati thali in Mandvi. I just couldn’t stop eating. And yes, the double roti of Mandvi is a must-try. People are super nice here.

The writer is a globe traveller