Vijaya Vilas Palace

Vijaya Vilas Palace is a summer palace of Maharao of Kutch located on the beach of Mandvi in Kutch, Gujarat, India.

History
The palace was built during the reign of Khengarji III as a summer resort for his son and heir to the kingdom, the Yuvraj Shri Vijayaraji, for whom it was named. Construction started in 1920 and was completed in 1929.

Architecture
The palace was built with red sandstone. Its distinctive Rajput architecture largely refers to the plan of palaces of Orchha and Datia. It is designed with a central high dome on pillars, Bengal domes on the sides, windows with colored glass, carved stone jalis, domed bastions at the corners, an extended porch, and other stone-carved elements. The palace is set in the middle of gardens with water channels and marble fountains. The jalis, jharokas, chhatris, chhajas, murals, stone carvings, and colored glass work on windows and door panels were created by architects and craftsmen from Jaipur, Rajasthan, Bengal, and Saurashtra, as well as the local Kutchi artisan community, the Mistri and Suthars. The top balcony offers a complete view of the surrounding area. The windows ensure the feeling of being in the open space, with sea winds passing through.

Current status
Vijaya Vilas Palace has its own private beach. It offers overnight accommodation. The royal family of Kutch State now reside permanently in the palace after the 2001 Gujarat earthquake in which one of the wings of another palace at Bhuj - the Ranjit Vilas - was heavily damaged. The Palace also houses a museum.

In popular culture
Scenes from the Bollywood movies Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Lagaan, and Commando, as well as a number of Gujarati films, were filmed in this palace.