‘Lukshmi’ or ‘Laxmi’ Vilas Palace?

The beautifully styled Indo-Sarcenic Revival architecture of the Lukshmi Vilas Palace was built by Maharaja Sayaji Rao Gaekwad III in 1890 for his beloved wife Lukshmi Bai.
A lot of speculation is still going on about the spelling of this gigantic palace. Due to the cliched spelling of ‘Laxmi’ which is also often written as ‘Lakshmi’ or ‘Laxshmi’, people tend to have been unaware of palace’s real spelling which is actually ‘Lukshmi’, hence making it, Lukshmi Vilas Palace. It was during the laying of foundation stone of the palace where it was first spelt on concrete as ‘Lukshmi’. The Gaekwads abide by this name throughout in all their ventures like in the prestigious Lukshmi Vilas Banquets.
The renowned LVP banquet is one of the most exquisite dining places in the city.

The foundation stone was laid during the British period which leads to people believing why it was spelt as Lukshmi but the pronunciation had nothing to do with its western influence. It was simply a name spelt differently by the royals!

Lukshmi Vilas Palace is four times the size of the Buckingham Palace and is reputed to have been the largest dwelling place till date.