Gwalior in the state of Madhya Pradesh is known for its royal lineage. Gwalior has the perfect blending of the tradition and modernity. It is one of the most developed cities of India with many renowned educational institutions and industries like cotton, ceramics and chemicals.
The history of Gwalior is interesting. Legend has it that the name 'Gwalior' comes from a great sage, Gwalipa who cured Suraj Sen, the chief of the Kachwaha clan suffering from leprosy in the 8th century. Gwalior has seen many dynasties, which patronized the artists and the musicians who in turn popularized the princely state through their songs and writings. Gwalior city was the capital of the princely state of Gwalior until 1948 to 1956 when Madhya Pradesh merged with the Indian union.
The most prominent tourist attraction in Gwalior is the Gwalior Fort built in the 15 th century on a hilltop by Raja Mansingh Tomar, the fort gives a breathtaking view of the city. The visit to Gwalior Fort is not complete without going to temples and places within the ramparts of the fort, the important ones being Man Mandir, Gujari Mahal, Telika Mandir, Sas Bahu Temple and the Chhatris. Other attractions in Gwalior are the museums- the Scindia Museum and the Kala Vithika.
Attractions in Gwalior :
The most prominent tourist attraction in Gwalior is the Gwalior Fort. Built in the 15 th century on a hilltop by Raja Mansingh Tomar, the fort gives a breathtaking view of the city.
Man Mandir, the palace built by Man Singh Tomar is a major attraction of the fort.With its intricate carvings and beautiful paintings, it is also known as Chitra Mandir or Palace of Paintings. It is a perfect reflection of Raja man Singh Tomar's aesthetic sense. Gujari Mahal is fascinating as it portrays the King's love and admiration for the beautiful and bold Mrignayani, which is now part of folklore. The place now converted onto a museum is known for its collection of Jain and Hindu artifacts. The Fort is also known for the temples in its precincts. The Telika Mandir is a fascinating temple built in the 9th century and is striking with its Dravidian style of architecture. Some attribute the name of the temple and its style of construction to the telangana style of Andhra Pradesh and others say it could be because it was built by telis (oil merchants). Some claim it was named after Telap Raj, the Prime minister of the region. The Sas-Bahu Temple is interestingly a misnomer. It is the name given to two adjoining temples of different sizes, the larger one displaying elaborate carvings and sculptures with intricate work. The chhatris with conical spires and heavily carved interiors in typical Bundhelkhandi style are memorial were built to commemorate the former Scindia rulers.
Other tourist attractions in Gwalior are the Surya Mandir; a replica of the famous Sun Temple in Orissa, built by the famous industrialist, G D Birla.For those interested in the history and culture of Gwalior should visit the Kala Vithika. Another must see museum is the Scindia Museum, which was once the royal palace of the Scindias, the erstwhile royalty of Gwalior.The place is a paragon of opulence with rare collections like a silver toy train whose wagons were used as serving dishes and a glass cradle from Italy used for the Lord Krishna at Janmashtami.
Excursions from Gwalior
Excursions from Gwalior can be made to nearby places. Datia, 74 km from Gwalior is famous for its Bundela paintings. Those interested in archeology should visit Pawaya, which was known as Padmavati in ancient times where you can find archaeological remains of the first and eight centuries have been discovered. The Dhoomeshwar Mahadeo temple, situated 3 km away, is a fine example of Bundela architecture. Sonagiri is a famous Jain pilgrimage site. If you wish to go on a picnic not far from Gwalior, then Tigra Dam will be an ideal option.
Festivals in Gwalior Gwalior hosts the Tansen Music Festival every winter in the moths of November/ December. The festival in memory of the illustrious singer Tansen of Emperor Akbar's time attracts musicians and music lovers from across the country.
