LOkesh took us to an interesting palace close to Mandvi, known as the Vijay Vilas Summer Palace. 
Built in the 1920's it was the summer palace of His Highness Maharao Vijay Singhji, who ruled over Kutch in the 1940s.
The building is of carved sandstone and is a mix of architectural styles including stunning Bengal domes, Mughal styled cupolas, Rajasthan inspired jarokhas and cusp-arches along with gothic and classical columns.
Towards the top of the building there were beautiful open terraces framed by perforated screens providing privacy yet allowing views across the lush and green estate in which the palace is set. The greenery was a refreshing contrast to the dust of the Kutch desert.
The screens, providing some shade, set shadows across the floor.
The screens, providing some shade, set shadows across the floor.
Screens and stained glass panels continued the play with light through the interior of the building.
My favourite part was at the very top of the building. A large domed terrace with beautiful columns, reminiscent of the intricate Jain carving on the temples and mosques in Ahmedabad, provided both shade, a cooling sea breeze and an open space to take in the extensive views of the estate and the Arabian Sea.
The Royal Family now live at the house permanently and you are able to see parts of the interior, the house contains, photographs and artefacts belonging to the family.
The building is set in beautiful and tranquil grounds with water channels and marble fountains which would instantly put you at ease.
The Palace has its own private beach, a secluded and stunning spot, perfect for doing nothing.
Further along the coast camels take families on the Indian equivalent of a donkey ride at Blackpool beach.
The camels, like the ones we had seen on our trip to Patan have decorative markings, to beautify and help the owners identify their animal.
