Places To Visit In Gwalior Sightseeing

The location of Gwalior Fort itself is stunning. It stands magnificently on a rock that is isolated. The famous Mughal Emperor Babur described this fort as ‘The Pearl in the Necklace of the Forts’. The construction of the fort was begun over 1000 years ago. The architecture of the fort is stunning. You will be mesmerized by the stone carvings here. The fort houses three temples and six palaces.

Sun Temple is dedicated to Sun, which is worshipped as a God. The temple was built by the famous industrialist G.D. Birla in the year 1988. It is a reproduction of the renowned Sun Temple in Konark. The temple’s exterior is made of red sand stone and the interior is made of white marble. The temple attracts tourists from all parts of the world. Religious faith apart, the structure of the temple and the atmosphere make people throng the temple.

Jai Vilas Palace is a stunning display of architectural grandeur of the bygone era. The palace built in European style has a blend of Tuscan, Italian and Corinthian styles. The palace is now converted into museum. The palace was constructed by Maharaja Jiyaji Rao Scindia in the year 1875. The Durbar Hall in the palace has its walls decorated with golden leaves.

Tansen Memorial was constructed to commemorate a great musician of the bygone era. Tansen, the musician, was one among the nine gems that adorned the court of Akbar. The construction reflects Mughal style of architecture. The lush gardens surrounding Tansen Memorial offer great view.

Tigra Dam is situated about 23 km from the city. The dam is huge and you will love the sight of migratory birds swimming in the water. Boating facilities are available here. This beautiful picnic spot is a perfect place to relax.

If Man Mandir reflects Man Singh’s aesthetic sensibilities, Gujari Mahal speaks of his love for his ninth Gujar wife, Mrignayni, for whom he built a special palace outside the fort. It is now a museum and houses a very extensive collection of stone carvings, many of them rare and exquisite.

The palace built by Man Singh Tomar between 1486 and 1516 is a delicate structure exhibiting a sense of joy and abandon through use of colour, motif, and design. This palace is also known as the Chitra Mandir or the Palace of Paintings because of the tiled and painted decorations of peacocks and other birds.

Built in the 15th century, references to the Suraj Kund complex can be traced as far back as AD 425. Suraj Kund existed much before the city of Gwalior and is considered the place where Sage Gwalipa cured Suraj Sen of leprosy from the waters of this pond.

Contrasting with the predominant North Indian style of architecture is the Teli-ka-Mandir. This temple, built in the ninth century and Dravidian in form, is believed to be the oldest in the fort. The sculptures are distinctly North Indian. A more recent study ascribes it to Telap Raj, a prime minister of the region.

At another point in the city is the tomb of Mohammad Ghaus, a saint of the Islamic faith of the 16th century. The stone carving for which the skilled artisans of Gwalior were justly famous is apparent in the huge panels of lacy screen work, which combine with an interesting architectural design to create a delicate, ethereal appeal.

Situated near the Gwalior Railway Station in the heart of the city, Kala Vithika is a good place to venture into if one wants some information on the history and culture of Gwalior. The museum is open on all days except Sundays and holidays.