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Gwalior Travel Tourism, Get the well
packaged Taj Mahal circuit tours and get to know the real cultural
heritage of India with the Taj Mahal, the
ultimate monument of love, is India's gift to the monumental legacy of
the world.
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Gwalior
| --> Location : |
Madhya Pradesh |
| --> Attractions : |
Gwalior Fort, Jai Vilas Palace |
| --> Best Season : |
October To March |
| --> From Agra : |
118 Km |
Gwalior is named after a saint who cured the local chieftain Suraj Sen from
leprosy. History of Gwalior dates back to 8th century. From then onwards
Gwalior was to become the cradle of dynasties. The massive fort which
overlooks the city is a testimony to its glory and grandeur. Warrior kings,
poets, musicians and saints contributed in making Gwalior the city it is.
Gwalior is one place which was most affected during the Revolt of 1857. It
was one of the centers which experienced fierce encounters between the
British and the 'Rebels'. The Maharaja of Gwalior was loyal to the British
during the mutiny but his troops sided with the rebels who had laid their
hands on the city. Towards the end of mutiny, Gwalior was subject to heavy
fighting, after which British gained complete control over India. Among
those who laid down their lives here in their attempt to capture the fort
were Tatiya Tope and Rani of Jhansi.
Gwalior changed hands from the Tomars to Lodhis of Delhi. Then it was ruled
by the Mughals and finally the Marathas laid their hands on this city. Each
era and rulers left their impression on this city but what remained
unchanged and un phased was the imposing fort which withstood any assault on
Gwalior. Even today thick walls and high ramparts of the fort seem
invincible. Gwalior is a city where the rich cultural tradition blend with
modern life, where the princely past lives in palaces and museums, past
mixes with present to offer visitor a city of enduring greatness.
Climate in Gwalior
Gwalior has extreme climate. The summers are very hot and winter are cold.
There have been frequent deaths reported due to heat wave during the summers
so it is better to avoid the summers. Though the winters are cold they are
better than summers to visit the city. Best time to visit from October to
March.
Getting There
Gwalior is barely 321 kms from Delhi and is well connected by Air, Rail,
Road services. This city has its own airport and the airlines operating in
India provide their services to this city. Flights connect Gwalior with the
other cities of India. On the railway route Gwalior is major a station with
many superfast and express trains having a stoppage at Gwalior station. This
beautiful station receives Shatabdi trains and the Royal Palace on Wheels.
By road also this city is linked with other cities in India. The state
transport and private bus operators have their services not only to the
nearby places but also to places outside the state. There are bus services
to Chandigarh and Lucknow too.
Sightseeing of Gwalior
§ The Fort
For over 100 years this fort has been over looking the city of Gwalior. One
of the most invincible forts in India, this imposing citadel has changed
many hands but has rarely been captured.
§ Jai Vilas Palace
Built in 1809, this palace is located in new city of Gwalior. It is house
of the present Maharaja of Gwalior.
§ Mausoleum of Ghaus Mohammed
Ghaus Mohammed, whose sand stone mausoleums is laid in the old town of
Hazira, was a Afghan Prince turned sufi saint who had helped Babur to win
the Gwalior fort. His mausoleum is designed on early Mughal architectural
lines. Particularly exquisite are the screens using pierced stone technique.
The carvings on these screens are as delicate as lace.
§ Sun Temple
This newly constructed temple is based on the lines of the Konark temple.
It is located near the Residency at Morar.
§
Tomb of Tansen
Father of Indian classical music and one of the nine Gems in Akbar's court
is buried in Gwalior. The memorial of this great singer carriers a very
simple tone in itself and is surrounded by gardens on its sides. This
monument is a part of Gwalior's cultural heritage. Every year a music
festival is organised here. The festival is held in November / December and
attracts singers and musicians from all over India.
Excursions of Gwalior
§ Shivpuri
Shivpuri was summer capital of the Scindias and is 122 kms on the Mumbai -
Agra highway. Shivpuri has numerous palaces and lakes which reminds of the
splendour this place must have seen during the rein of Scindias.
§ Datia
A town of the Mahabharata period, Datia is 69 kms from Gwalior on the way
to Chennai. Datia is historically very important. The seven storied palace
built in brick and stone by Raja Bir Singh Deo is one of the finest example
of Bundela architecture. This palace was built in 1614. The palace houses
some of the fine Bundela paintings. The imposing Gopinath temple is a
confluence of cultures with Mughal frescoes adorning the temple.
§ Orchha
Orchha was once the capital of Bundela Rajput and later it came under the
Mughals. It is 120 kms on the road to Khajuraho and has not been touched by
destructive hands of time. For more information on the Orcha ruins Click
Here.
§ Dholpur
On the way to Agra is a small tract of Rajasthani land which is called
Dholpur. It was here that sons of Aurangzeb fought battle for succession.
The battle was fought for the control of a declining Mughal empire. The
Shergarh fort here is in ruins now. The Khanpur Mahal was built by Shah
Jahan but it was never occupied.
§ Narwar
122 kms from Gwalior is another fort city called Narwar. This city was
capital of Raja Nal. His love for Damayanti has been moulded into ballads
and stories which form legends of the region. The town is dominated by a
fort 500m above the town. The fort and palaces of Narwar are built in Rajput
style. The flat ceilings, fluted columns and the many arches with interiors
decorated with glass beads are typical in construction.
§ Chanderi
This place is famous for sarees which have fascinated the Indian lady since
ages. Chanderi is 239 kms from Gwalior and is surrounded by forests, hills
and lakes. Though the craft from Chanderi is very famous, the architecture
of the area are in no way less imposing. The architecture here is influenced
by the Bundela Rajputs and the Sultan of Malwa. In 1445 Mohammed Khilji
built the Koshak Mahal on lines of Mandu architecture. The Jama Masjid ,
Shahzadi ka Rouza and Battisi Bandi were all built by the Sultans of Malwa
in the 15th century. Chanderi also came up as pilgrimage center with the
coming up of Jain temples in the 9th and 10th century. The picturesque
Parameshwa Tal was built by the Bundelas and has a temple complex around it.
§ Pawaya
The ancient city of Padmawati is fascinating city of ruins. It is 68 kms
from Gwalior on the Jhansi road. In the 3rd century Pawaya was the capital
of Nag kings. The life size statue of Chaksha Manibhadra dates back to 1
A.D. The Parmars built the fort and the nearby Dhoomeshwar Mahadeo temple
which are the main attractions of Pawaya.
§ Tigra Dam
A picnic spot which is 23 kms from the Gwalior City.
Fairs & Festivals of Gwalior
§ The Tansen Music Festival
Gwalior has special affinity with the classical music and singing. It has
been an influence on the Hindustani classical music. Gwalior has retained
the strong musical tradition. Tansen the exponent of Dhrupad style, went on
to evolve the Gwalior Gharana whose contemporary exponent is the world
renowned Sarod player Amjad Ali Khan. As a tribute to Tansen, the great
master of classical music, a festival is organised in the month of November
/ December every year. Renowned musicians from the country gather to give
performance during the festival.
Tourist Information Centres for Gwalior
§ Tourist Information :
Regional Office, M.P State tourism Development Corporation,
Hotel Tansen, Gandhi Road, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh (India).
§ Tourist Information :
M.P State Tourism Development Corporation,
Railway Station, Platform No. 1, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, (India).
§ Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation
Ltd. :
Gangotri, 4th floor, T.T. Nagar, Bhopal- 462 003 Madhya Pradesh, India.
§ Tourist Information Counter :
204-205, Kanishka Shopping Plaza, 19 Ashoka Road, New Delhi - 110 001,
India
Near by Cities of Gwalior
» Bhopal - 423 kms.
» Agra - 118 kms.
» Shivpuri - 112 kms.
» Orchha - 120 kms.
» Chanderi - 239 kms.
»
Khajuraho
- 275 kms.
» Narwar - 122 kms.
» Pawaya - 68 kms.
»
Delhi -
321 kms.
» Sanchi - 381 kms.
