Gwalior is a city in Madhya Pradesh in India, is an ancient site of Jain
worship, notable for the architecture of its fortress, palaces and temples. The
city of Gwalior occupies a strategic location in the Gird region of North India.
Historically and architecturally fascinating, the city of Gwalior is most
notable for its fortress and its palaces.
Location:
In Madhya Pradesh, 122 km (76 mi) south of Agra.
The Fortress of Gwalior is situated on an isolated sandstone outcrop, it is surrounded by high walls, enclosing a variety of buildings. The Man Singh Palace stands at the north-eastern corner of the enclosure and it is decorated with interesting tile work and symbolic images. Within the fort are some marvels of medieval architecture including the 15th century Gujari Mahal. Gujari Mahal is home to the statue of Shalbhanjika from Gyraspur, the tree goddess.
The Man Mandir Palace forms the most interesting example of early Hindu architecture in India. Although some of the decorative tiles have not been able to survive today but a few traces remain around the entrance. The impressive palace chamber, the Baradari, which is now in ruins, was once supported on 12 columns. The 15m stone roofed structure was one of the most beautiful halls in the world, with vaults imitating Islamic Architecture.
Jai Vilas Palace is another splendid piece of architecture with proud and striking combination of Tuscan and Corinthian styles, and its interiors are evocative of a privileged regal lifestyle. A part of this palace is still a residence of the royal family and a part of it has been converted into a museum. The two main Chandeliers in its main hall weigh 2 tonnes and were installed after its ceiling was well tested by making 10 elephants stand on it. The rooms of the palace are heavily decorated by draperies, tapestries, fine Persian carpets and antique furniture, including four poster beds from France and Italy. There are several remarkable temples within the fort, one of the popular one is Sasbahu Ka Mandir which is beautifully adorned with bas-reliefs.
Teli Ka Mandir is another beautiful temple within the palace dedicated to lord Vishnu. It is the first temple to have been built within the palace and is the highest structure within the complex. This temple is built with a unique mixture of Dravidian and Indo-Aryan architectural style with its walls covered with statues and decorations.
Gwalior is a big city and you will easily find budget as well as luxury hotels inside the city. Budget hotels in the city cater to all the basic needs of travelers with good care and cleanliness whereas luxury hotels have a range of recreational and conference facilities that can satisfy even the most needful guests. The best staying option in Gwalior are Hotel Shelter, Hotel Usha Kiran Palace which is a heritage hotel, Hotel Tansen Residency and Hotel Gwalior Residency.
