Ever thought what ancient India looked like? The infrastructure, the lifestyle and everything else. This does bubble up the curiosity hidden inside all of us. India is full of such destinations that can make you take a glimpse into the past the moment you arrive there. Gwalior, it is a city in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. This city is known for its archaeological wonders such as forts, temples etc. It is a cultural, industrial and political hub and is named after the historic rock fortress situated at the centre of the city. Today, we will be listing out the top 10 attractive places to visit once you arrive in Gwalior.
1. Gwalior Fort
About- Let’s start with the main attraction because of which the city is known for and named after. High atop a mountain in the center of the city this majestic fortress is a sight to behold. Witness of many great historical events this fortress was considered to be impenetrable in the old days. It Is the most famous forts among the forts which are found in India.
The fortress is massive in size as it spreads across an area of almost 3 Kilometers and is visible from any part of the city. There is an entry fee of INR 75 for each adult and free for the children below the age of 15 years which is a considerable amount.
Location- 2 Kilometers from Gwalior Bus Stand
Timings- 8 AM to 5:30 PM throughout the week.
2. Gujari Mahal
About- Built in the 15th century this is one of the 6 that resides in the Gwalior fort premises. This architectural wonder was built by Raja Man Singh. Now, the suggestion is that if you’re planning to visit this place then you have to make sure that you have enough time as this palace now holds a museum inside showcasing the antiques of Hindu and Jain religions that date back from the first and second centuries. This palace is considered to be the finest of all the palaces that you will see during your visit to Gwalior. There is an entry fee which is exactly the same as Gwalior Fort that is INR 75 for each adult and free entry for the children below the age of 15. Gwalior does offer some pocket-friendly places to visit.
Location- Gwalior Fort, Gwalior 2 kilometers from the Gwalior Bus Stand
Timings- 8 AM to 5:30 PM throughout the week.
3. Man Mandir Palace
About- We will continue with another palace on the list because Gwalior has a lot of them but I can assure you that you won’t get tired or disappointed while visiting each one of these beautiful sights.
So, have you ever thought of living like the Royal Rajputs of the golden age, then Man Mandir Palace will give you the exact same experience. This palace was built by Man Singh Tomar of the Tomar dynasty. The halls, dining areas, the rooms are kept intact as they would have been during the reign of the Tomar dynasty kings. The main attraction of this palace is the one that will give you goosebumps. It is the Jauhar Pond. I know the name sounds familiar to those who saw the movie Padmavat starring Deepika Padukone, Shahid Kapoor and Ranvir Singh. The pond serves the same purpose that was portrayed in the movie. The pond is basically a suicide point for the Rajput women to commit suicide to save their honor. No entry fee is required.
Location- Man Mandir Palace, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. About 2.5 kilometers from the Gwalior Bus Stand.
Timings- From 10 AM to 5 PM all days of the week
4. Jai Vilas Palace
About- A palace, a museum, a grand resident for one of the most famous royal families of Gwalior. This palace was built by the once Maharaja of Gwalior Jayaji Rao Scindia. It is spread across 75 acres and hosts the collection of historically important items such as armors and weapons of Shah Jahan and Aurangebs era as well as of the freedom movements during the rule of Rani Laxmi Bai. Currently, this is also the residence of the descendants of the late Maharaja Jayaji Rao Scindia.
The entry fee is 100 INR per person (Indian)
Location- From 10 AM to 4:45 PM (April to September) and from 10 AM to 4:30 PM ( October to March) all days of the week except Wednesday.
Timings- Jai Vilas Palace, Lashkar, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. About 6 Kilometers from Gwalior Bus Stand.
5. Gopachal Parvat
About- The next place in our list is an important religious site Jainism. The Gopachal Parvat is located at the south side of the Gwalior Fort. The structure consists of carvings and sculptures cut out of rock dating back to the 7th and 15th century. These sculptures are called the Tirthankaras are portrayed either standing and meditating. This place is basically one of the most visited sites in Gwalior. So, if you want to dive into history of ancient architecture then this place is a must for you.
Location- Gwalior Fort. 4.5 Kilometers from Gwalior Bus Stand.
Timings- Open 24 hours
6. Padavali and Bateshwar
About- This is one of the many temples dedicated to Lord Vishnu that are located in Gwalior. It is a cluster of around 200 smaller temples. Bateshwar dates back to the 8th century and 10th century and Padavali is a fortress that was built in the 18th century. The structures are built made of sandstone and of huge significance. In order to visit this place, there is an entry fee of INR 15.
Location- 40 Kilometers from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
Timings- From 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM all days of the week.
7. Mitavali and Padhavli
About- Now we come across a heritage site in Gwalior that dates back to the 9th and 10th centuries. This place is a haven for archeology, history and architecture lovers. The moment you step here you will surely have a feeling of knowing the unknown. These historical structures are basically ancient temples. Even though the site is in ruins still this place will leave you to wonder how people of those ancient times built such marvels.
Location- Morena District, Madhya Pradesh
Timings- 8AM- 6PM
8. Tighra Dam
About- Constructed in 1916 on the river Sank is a huge freshwater reservoir that provides the facility of freshwater for daily usage as well as a source for irrigation and fishing for the nearby villages. Apart from domestic and agricultural purposes, the dam is considered to be a wonderful picnic spot. You can admire the picturesque views or enjoy boat rides of numerous kinds. It is a great spot for bird watchers too. Entry is free except there are charges for the boat rides.
Location- Sank River, Tigra, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
Timings- Open 24 hours
9. Gwalior Zoo
About- Next on the list is a fun spot for kids and families. The Gwalior zoo was built in 1922 by the family of Madhav Rao Scindia. This is a protected zone and is under the care of the Municipal Corporation of Gwalior. You can find the collection of the different kinds of fauna that is found in the area such as monkeys, sambars, golden peasants, and some exotic animals such as the blackbucks spotted deer and white tiger.
The entry fee is INR 20 for adults and INR 5 for children.
Location- Maharani Laxmi Bai Marg, Shinde ki Chhawni, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
Timings- 8 AM to 6 PM all days of the week except Friday.
10. Madhav National Park
About- Are you nature and wildlife enthusiast? Do you want to see the wild animals in their natural habitat? Then you must visit Madhav National Park. It was established when Madhya Pradesh earned independence in 1958. 120 kilometers away from Gwalior this abode is the home of many regional species of flora and fauna. Surrounded by the Vindhya range and consist of numerous valleys. It is protected by the wildlife preservation act of 1972 and located on the Mumbai- Agra Highway. Entre fee is INR 15 per person
Location- Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh
Timings- From 6:30 AM to 10 AM and 2:30 PM to 6 PM on all days of the week.
