Well-known for its ancient temples, beautiful palaces and alluring monuments, Gwalior is the tourist capital of Madhya Pradesh. Gwalior is best known for being the birthplace of the great musician, Tansen. The city is also popular for its rich cultural heritage and glorious history.

The city has been called ‘pearl in the necklace of the forts of Hind’. The star attraction of the city is Gwalior Fort which was the administrative centre of many North Indian dynasties. The rich historical past of the city is displayed through its beautiful attractions. The royal charm of Gwalior can be seen through its spectacular architecture. The rule of both the Rajputs and Britishers over Gwalior is reflected in every corner of the city.

When it comes to tourist attractions, Gwalior has much to offer to all the tourists. Some popular attractions of Gwalior include Phool Bagh, Suraj Kund, Hathi Pool, Man singh Palace and Jai Vilas Palace. The Tansen music festival organized every year in Gwalior is also a famous attraction. The culture and tradition of Gwalior make it a popular tourist attraction of India.

Best Time to Visit Gwalior

Gwalior in summer – From April to June Summer in Gwalior is marked by extreme heat and humidity, with the highest temperature recorded up to 47 degrees Celsius. It is not an apt time to visit for sightseeing trips and leisure holidays. However, if you happen to be in Gwalior during this time, you are suggested to intake a large amount of fluid and wear cotton clothes.

Gwalior in Monsoon – From July till September With the onset of monsoon, starting from the month of June, the temperature of Gwalior decreases and brings relief. The monsoon season lasts till the month of September and is characterized by moderate rainfalls. The weather remains pleasant and enjoyable around this time but the humidity rises. The temperature ranges from 25 to 32 degree Celsius, and the average rainfall is at 700 mm.

Gwalior in winter – From October till March Winter season is just right to visit Gwalior, as the cold days are any day preferred over the summer heat. The temperature of the season ranges from maximum 21 degrees Celsius to minimum 4 degree Celsius. The visitors are found in abundance around this time, appreciating and exploring the attractions like Gujari Mahal, Archaeological Museum, Sas-Bahu Temples, Suraj Kund, Teli-ka-Mandir at leisure. A festival commemorating the Tansen music festival is held every year in the month of December, and lasts for 4 days. Pre booking a trip for Gwalior will be of help in this rush season.

How To Reach

By Air : Gwalior has an airport of its own that is situated at a distance of 8 kms from the main city.Indian Airlines connect Gwalior to the important cities of Mumbai, Indore, Bhopal and Delhi.The services are operational thrice a week.

By Rail : The Gwalior Railway Station is located in the city. It lies on the main Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Chennai rail link.The Taj and Satabdi Express connect Delhi and Agra with Gwalior.

By Road : Gwalior is well connected by roads.The place is connected to all the major towns of madhya pradesh and the adjoining areas.Gwalior is linked to Agra which is at a distance of 118 kms. It is well connected to Mathura and Jaipur which is at a distance of 350 kms. Delhi lies at a distance of 321 kms, Lucknow and Bhopal are just 423 kms away and Chanderi is at a distance of 239 kms.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

Gwalior Fort

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. The fort stands silent proof for the rule of various mighty dynasties.

Sun Temple

The name itself says it. Yes, 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. The tranquil atmosphere gives you peace of mind. You will also find an attractive garden inside the temple premises.

Jai Vilas Palace Museum

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. The largest pair of chandeliers in Asia is found hanging in the palace. Now a museum, the collections in Jai Vilas Palace are equally unique and awe inspiring.

Memorial Of Tansen

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. The memorial is famous for national level music festivals held here every year.

Tigra Dam

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.

Gujari Mahal Archaeological Museum

An archaeological museum located inside the fort complex is one of the must visit places, especially if you are a history buff. This 15th-century Gujari Mahal, though in ruins, offers an interesting insight into the history of the kingdom in Gwalior, and thus is an ideal place for educational tours. The primal things to see in this museum are the sculptures dating back to 1st or 2nd century B.C, archeological discoveries like Terracotta items and Bagh cave frescoes as well as the statue of Salabhanjika. During your exploration in Gujari Mahal, you can also come across a large collection of popular images of Bagh Cave paintings and also photographs of nearly 75 years old Mandu and Dhar areas.

Teli Ka Mandir

An impressive element about this pilgrimage site is perhaps its attractive and classy architecture and the detailed artwork of the temple; you can see all that when you visit the Gwalior Fort complex. This Hindu temple is the tallest in the fort with an architecture amalgamation of the northern and southern styles. It is said to be as tall as about 100 feet and it resembles the temple of Pratihara Vishnu, as a matter of fact, Teli Ka Mandir is a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. However, the temple is also adorned with structures of river goddesses, amorous couples, coiled serpents and the famed vehicle of Lord Vishnu making it an important place for religious tourism in Gwalior.

Gwalior Zoo

For those who like wildlife tours, do make a quick stop at the Gwalior Zoo or Gandhi Zoological Park for you can find some exotic species of animals here. This zoo is one of the best places to visit in Gwalior to see white tigers. These beautiful but rather ferocious big cats are the main crowd pullers but also other animals here that can quickly catch the attention of the visitors are the golden pheasants, black bucks, various serpents, hyena, sambhar, bisons and deer. A time spent in this protected site for animals will offer immense pleasure and perhaps it can be an ideal destination to visit for kids during family holiday.

Moti Mahal

A 900 metre walk pass Italian Gardens can take you to another famous and grand attraction, Moti Mahal. A 19th-century palace which was once the secretariat of Madhya Bharat Government, Moti garden flaunts colourful flowers and an extensive work of fountains. Though in a dilapidated condition, it is one of the tourism places that still beautifully displays its tempera coloured walls graced by mosaic mythological paintings of darbars and processions. In fact, Moti Mahal has close similarities to that of Pune’s Peshwa Palaces.

Amma Maharaj Ki Chathri

About a kilometre walk from Jai Vilas Palace, you will reach Amma Maharaj Ki Chathri. It is a pleasant and lovely lush garden with acres of planted trees and floral ambience, and here you can find a Chhatri (Cenotaph) of the late Madhavrao Scindia. It is a calm place to for afternoon exploration. It has to be noted that it was at Amma Maharaj Ki Chhatri where the people of Gwalior visited to attend late Maharaja’s funeral, also, Congress president, Ms. Sonia Gandhi, and later the Prime Minister, Mr. Atal Behari Vajpayee has attended the funeral on October 1st, 2001)

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