Tambekar Wada

Tambekar Wada (the historic four storeyed Maratha wooden townhouse, mid nineteenth century residence of Diwan Bhau Tambekar, and premier wall fresco heritage monument of Baroda) in Vadodara in Gujarat, is one of western India's most extraordinary residential art treasures.

Constructed between 1849 and 1854 by Bhaskar Vitthal Tambekar (popularly known as Bhau Tambekar, the influential Prime Minister of Baroda State under Maharaja Ganpatrao Gaekwad), this grand wooden mansion shows classical Maratha domestic architecture.

It's the home of soaring carved teakwood pillars around central open courtyards, narrow timber staircases winding to private upper chambers, striking nineteenth century murals painted with natural mineral dyes, intricate wooden jali screens filtering afternoon daylight, and cool lime plastered galleries protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.

It represents a rich union of Maratha administrative power, indigenous folk painting traditions, and historical urban architecture where historic townhouses, Laxmi Vilas Palace estates, Kirti Mandir cenotaphs, and Nazarbaug Palace grounds unite around Vadodara.

Located in the Dandia Bazaar quarter of Old Vadodara, the protected mansion sits just 3 km south of Vadodara Junction Railway Station (BRC), 7 km from Vadodara Airport (BDQ), and 600 meters from Sursagar Lake, easily reached on foot or by auto rickshaw.

Bhau Tambekar Administration, Maratha Wada Styling & Epic Wall Frescoes

As Diwan of Baroda, Bhau Tambekar wielded tremendous administrative authority, designing his personal mansion to host formal diplomatic meetings and cultural gatherings.

The walls on the first and second levels are covered in remarkable tempera frescoes depicting episodes from the Mahabharata, the epic Ramayana, Lord Krishna's childhood tales, and contemporary 19th century battles between Maratha horsemen and British troops in red uniforms.

The wooden framework utilizes traditional post and-beam joinery with carved struts, lotus rosettes, and overhanging timber balconies that kept interior rooms cool without artificial ventilation.

Truth is, the vivid blues and golds in the Krishna murals were crafted from ground lapis lazuli and gold leaf that retain their brilliance after nearly two centuries.

Laxmi Vilas Palace, Kirti Mandir & Nazarbaug Palace Links

Laxmi Vilas Palace: Situated 2.5 km south on Palace Road, this gargantuan 500 acre royal estate remains the official seat of the Gaekwads.

Kirti Mandir: Located 1.5 km northwest along the Vishwamitri riverbank, this 1936 royal memorial houses murals by master artist Nandalal Bose.

Nazarbaug Palace: Resting barely 1 km east in Mandvi, this historic 1871 white palace once guarded the royal diamond vault and ceremonial gold cannons.

Dandia Bazaar Heritage Walk & Old Baroda Itinerary

The Old City Art & Mansion Route: Morning breakfast of hot sev khamani and sweet jalebi near Dandia Bazaar (8:00 AM) -> arrive at Tambekar Wada as the ASI gates open (8:30 AM) -> explore the ground floor wooden courtyard and climb the timber stairs to examine nineteenth century frescoes (8:45 AM to 10:15 AM) -> walk through nearby Dandia Bazaar to Sursagar Lake (10:30 AM to 11:30 AM) -> visit Kirti Mandir to compare Maratha frescoes with modern Santiniketan murals (11:45 AM to 1:00 PM) -> traditional Gujarati thali lunch in Raopura (1:15 PM to 2:30 PM) -> afternoon audio tour of Laxmi Vilas Palace (3:00 PM to 5:00 PM) -> explore Mandvi gate and Nazarbaug Palace perimeter (5:30 PM to 7:00 PM) -> dinner (8:30 PM).

ASI Heritage Etiquette: Touch not the painted plaster surfaces; avoid using camera flash as intense light degrades antique mineral pigments; watch your step on narrow wooden stairs; entry is supervised by on site ASI caretakers.

After marveling at the historic wall paintings of Tambekar Wada, proceed to explore Laxmi Vilas Palace, Kirti Mandir, or Nazarbaug Palace.