Gwalior

A coveted possession of the various ruling dynasties starting from the Huns down to the British, Gwalior has emerged as a bustling modern city and a major tourist destination in central India. The Scindias were the last rulers of Gwalior and even today they exert much influence in the political scenario of the city. It was at a formal durbar in 1885 that the British handed over the city to Jiyaji Rao Scindia.

The Lure of the City
Gwalior has a plenty of attractions to hold tourists in awe. Perched atop a hill overlooking the entire city is the Gwalior Fort, built in the 15th century by Raja Mansingh Tomar. The colossal fort is enclosed by a wall, 2 miles in length and 35 m in height. The fort houses the Man Mandir, the luxurious palace built by Man Singh Tomar; the Gurjari Mahal, an eternal memento of the Raja's love for Mriganayani; the Teli-ka-Mandir, believed to be the oldest in the Fort; and the Sas-Bahu temples, the name traditionally given to two adjoining temples of different sizes.

The chhatris, memorials to former Scindia rulers, are executed in the typical Bundelkhandi style with conical spires and heavily carved exteriors.
The Tomb of Mohammad Ghaus, is irresistible for its ethereal beauty. The skillful chiselry of the artisans is conspicuous everywhere on the tomb. Another tomb of austere beauty is the memorial to Tansen, the famed musician of Emperor Akbar's court.

The Jai Vilas Palace is quite a stunner in the city of Gwalior. Bearing semblance to the famous Palace of Versailles in France, the palace architecture is an intricate blend of Tuscan and Corinthian styles. A part of the palace is used as a residence for the family while the other has been converted into a museum displaying a plethora of artefacts reminisceint of the grandeur of the Scindias.

Gwalior : Fact File
Location : Madhya Pradesh

Distance From Agra : 121 kms

Best Time to Visit : October- March

Fairs and Festivals : Tansen Music Festival, held every in November/December.

Accessibility :Indian Airlines connect Gwalior to Bombay, Bhopal, Indore and Delhi. The city is on the main Delhi-Bombay and Delhi-Madras rail link. The best way to move around the city is by the six-seater auto-rickshaws. Taxis and mini buses are also available.

Places to Stay : There is a wide range of accommodation facilities in Gwalior. At the top are the heritage hotels, converted from the palaces, followed by mid-range and economy hotels.