The historical city of Gwalior is located in the northern most part of Madhya Pradesh state. This ancient city boasts of a rich cultural heritage. The city is dotted with many historical buildings, forts, palaces, splendid rock temples and elegant statues.
The city of Gwalior was founded in 8th century AD by a chieftain known as Suraj Sen or Surya Sen of the Kachwaha clan. It is said Suraj Sen was suffering from a deadly disease ad he was cured by the great sage Gwalipa. As a mark of his gratitude Surya Sen founded a city which he named after the saint. Several Rajput clans had ruled over Gwalior at different times and the most notable amongst them is the Kachawahas, Pariharas and Tomars. The city was also ruled by Mughals, Marathas, Scindias, Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi, Tatya Tope and the British who have left their significant influence in the city. The city is also home to some of the best classical musicians. It is the birthplace of great musician Tansen, vocalist Onkarnath Thakur and ‘sarod’ maestro Amjad Ali Khan and his forefathers. Gwalior is famous for its educational centres and is home to some of the prestigious institutes in the country.
Gwalior City consists of two parts namely the older city and newer parts. Old Gwalior town is situated to the north of the Gwalior Fort, while the New Gwalior town known as Lashkar stands to the south-west of the Gwalior Fort. Morar is also a part of newer town and it lies to the east of the fort.
Tourist Attractions & Places to visit in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
Since the city is situated close to Agra, Gwalior draws thousands of tourists every year. There are several places for tourism in Gwalior city.
Gwalior fort
Perched on a mass sandstone hill this imposing structure is the main attraction in Gwalior. Gwalior fort is a classic example of medieval architecture and it was described as 'the pearl in the necklace of the forts of Hind' by the Mughal Emperor Babur. The construction of Gwalior Fort was started by Raja Suraj Sen, around 1,000 years ago on the advice of Sage Gwalipa. The fort is accessible by a steep road. The outer walls of the Fort which are built of solid sandstone stand two miles in length and rise to a height of 35 feet. This fort offers a panoramic view of the town and the surrounding plains. Gwalior Fort has stood witness to numerous bloody battles and many historical events. It houses a number of magnificent buildings like the Man Mandir, Gujari Mahal, Teli-ka-Mandir Temple and many others.
Gujari Mahal
Gujari Mahal was constructed in 15th century by Man Singh. It was built to commemorate his love for his wife Mrignayani. The palace now houses a museum which has an extensive collection of very rare stone carvings. The museum also has a great compilation of Hindu & Jain sculptures and copies of the Bagh Caves frescoes.
Man Mandir Palace
Man Mandir Palace was built between 1486 and 1516 by Raja Man Singh Tomar. The exteriors of this magnificent palace highlight the extensive use of decorated tiles. The interiors of the place are adorned with coloured paintings of human figures, animals and flowers and so it is also known as the Chitra Mandir or the Palace of Paintings. It is constructed in four levels, out of which two are underground. The palace has six towers topped by domed cupolas.
Teli ka Mandir
Originally dedicated to Lord Vishnu this temple is believed to be the oldest in the fort. It was later converted to the worship of Lord Shiva. This 9th century temple is the loftiest building in the fort with 100 ft. high towers. This temple has a unique blend of South as well as North Indian style of architecture. The roof is built in Dravidian style while the sculptures are in distinctly North Indian style.
Sas-Bahu-ka-Mandir
Saas-Bahu temple in the fort was built between 9th and 11th centuries. Saas-Bahu is the name given to the two temples which are of different sizes. The temple is dedicated to Shashtra Bahu, another name of Lord Vishnu. These temples located adjacent to each other were constructed by King Mahipala. An elaborately carved lotus adorns the roof the larger of the two temples. This temple is decorated with graceful patterns and intricate carvings.
Jai Vilas Palace
Jai Vilas Palace was built in 1872-74 and is located in the new town. This imposing structure has a mix of Italian, Tuscan and Corinthian architectural style. Part of the opulent palace constructed by the Maharaja Jiyaji Rao Scindia is used as residence of the Scindia family while the other has been converted into a museum. The museum displays several objects that offers a glimpse into the rich lifestyle of the royal family like Belgian chandeliers weighing several tons, a silver toy train, glass cradle from Italy used for Lord Krishna at Janmashtami, jewelled slippers that belonged to Chinkoo Rani, four-poster beds, furniture’s of Italy and France, hunting trophies and portraits and swords of Aurangzeb and Shah Jahan.
Tansen’s Tomb
The legendary singer who was one of the nine jewels of Akbar's court is buried in Gwalior. His tomb is a major tourist attraction and this place is the venue for the music festival known as the Tansen Samaroh which is held annually in November-December.
Tomb of Ghaus Mohammad
Tomb of Ghaus Mohammad is the sandstone mausoleum of the Afghan prince, Ghous Mohammed who later turned into a Sufi saint. It is also that he helped Babur to win the Gwalior fort. The tomb is a classic example of Mughal architecture. The stone carvings and latticework on the walls stand testimony to the workmanship of the skilled artisans of Gwalior.
Surya Mandir
Surya Mandir is dedicated to the Sun god. The temple was constructed by famous industrialist G.D. Birla in 1988. It was constructed using red sand stone and white marble and is said to have been a replica of the famed Sun Temple at Konark in Orissa.
Rani Lakshmi Bai Cenotaph
The Samadhi of famous freedom fighter Rani Lakshmi Bai of Jhansi is located in the complex of Phool Bagh. A statue of Rani Laksmi Bai stands amidst a small water body.
Suraj Kund
Suraj Kund located in the Gwalior fort is believed to be the same tank where the Sage Gwalipa healed Suraj Sen. The historical significance of this place draws several tourists.
Gurudwara Data Bandhi Chhod
Gurudwara Data Bandhi Chhod is situated inside the Gwalior fort and was constructed in memory of Guru Hargobind Sahib, the 6th Sikh Guru. It is said that the Guru was imprisoned here by Emperor Jehangir for over two years.
Gwalior Zoo
Gwalior Zoo houses many wild species including tigers, elephants, chimpanzees, bears, deer, etc.
Kala Vithika
Kala Vithika offers a glimpse of the rich art and culture of Gwalior. The museum remains open on all days except on Sunday and public holidays.
Sarod Ghar
The old ancestral house of the legendary Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan has been converted into Sarod Ghar. The museum houses ancient instruments belonging to the classical maestros. The items on display here include instruments belonging to the forefathers of Amjad Ali Khan, instruments belonging to Haafiz Ali Khan and Asghar Ali Khan and Sarods of Nanne Khan. The museum also has a rich collection of photographs and documents.
Places to visit near Gwalior
Tigra Dam
Tigra Dam is at a distance of 23 km from Gwalior. The dam is located on the banks of Chambal River and is a popular picnic spot.
Shivpuri
Shivpuri was the summer capital of erstwhile Gwalior state and it is located about 112 km from Gwalior. The place is known for the marble chhatris or cenotaphs built in commemoration of the Scindia rulers. Shivpuri National Park which houses large numbers of chinkara, Indian gazelle and chital is another attraction here.
Datia
Datia is about 69 km from Gwalior. This town has great historical significance. The seven-storeyed palace which is built entirely of stone and bricks by Raja Bir Singh Deo is a major attraction here. The palace built in 1614 is a finest example of Bundela architecture and houses many wall paintings of the Bundela School. Gopeshwar Temple adorned with beautiful frescoes is also another attraction here.
Sonagiri
Sonagiri is about 72 km from Gwalior. Sonagiri which means `golden peak` is renowned for the 77 Jain temples that date back to the 17th century. Temple dedicated to Chandranatha, the 8th Tirthankara is the most significant and most beautiful of them all.
Pawaya
Pawaya is 68 km away from Gwalior. This place was known as Padmavati in ancient times and it was the capital of the Nag Kings in 3 AD. The ruins still stand testimony to the glorious past of the region. The life-size statue of Chaksha Manibhadra of 1 AD, ruins of the medieval fort built by the Parmars and Dhoomeshwar Mahadeo temple are some of the attractions here. The Dhoomeshwar Mahadeo Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is located on the banks of the Sindh River.
National Chambal Sanctuary
National Chambal Sanctuary is about 70 Kms from Gwalior. The sanctuary was established to protect the river ecosystem & conserve the aquatic animals in the Chambal River. The sanctuary houses and protects a variety of aquatic life like the Ganges River Dolphin, Crocodile, Gharial, Freshwater Turtles, River Otters and a various species of fishes. The area surrounding the river is home to variety of resident as well as migratory bird species and attracts many bird watchers.
Kuno-Palpur Sanctuary
Kuno-Palpur Sanctuary is about 86 km from Gwalior. The sanctuary spread across an area of 345 sq. km is home to many wild animals like the Tiger, Panther, Sambar, Nilgai, Chinkara & Black buck.
How to reach Gwalior
Gwalior Airport is located at a distance of 8 km from the heart of the city. Gwalior railway station is a major rail junction and lies on the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Chennai route. It is connected to all the major cities in the country by good network of trains. The city has an excellent road-network that connects it to Agra, Jaipur, Delhi, Bhopal, Jhansi, Khajuraho, Indore and Ujjain. Gwalior is well connected by state owned buses and private buses to all major cities in the state as well as neighbouring states.
Accommodation
Since Gwalior is an important tourist destination and administrative centre there are number of accommodation options available in the city. Tourists can choose from luxury heritage hotels and star hotels to modestly priced MPTDC run guesthouses and budget hotels.