Where is Gwalior?
Gwalior (122 km south of Agra) is located in the state of Madhya Pradesh in
Central India.
What is the city famous for?
The city is known all over for the Gwalior Fort that houses a number of
historical buildings.
How will you gain access?
The Gwalior Airport is situated at a distance of 8 km from the city. There
are regular Indian Airlines flights connecting the city to Mumbai, Indore,
Bhopal and Delhi. The city is provided with a fabulous rail-network as well.
The Gwalior Railway Station lie on the main Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Chennai
rail link. By road, the city is also well-connected to Agra (122 km), Jaipur
(350 km), Delhi (321 km), Bhopal (423 km), Chanderi (239 km), Indore (486
km), Jhansi (101 km), Khajuraho (275 km), Ujjain (455 km) and Shivpuri (114
km).
What does the climate say?
Gwalior has an extreme type of climate. Summers are hot with temperature
reaching up to a maximum of 46 degrees centigrade. During the winters,
temperature drops down to a minimum of 6 degrees. Monsoons arrive in the
first week of June and continue till the month of September.
Major
Tourist Attractions of Gwalior
» Gwalior Fort
It was Raja Suraj Sen who, on the advise of sage Gwalipa, laid the
foundation of this formidable fort some 1000 years ago. The fort acquires
almost all of the enormous mass that it rests on. The outer wall of the fort
measures 3.2 km in length and 35 m in height, with a steep road winding
upwards to it. Getting enchanted by the beauty and magnificence of the fort,
the great Mughal emperor described it as ' the Pearl among the Fortresses of
Hind'.
» Ghaus Mohammed's Tomb
The tomb of Sufi Mohammed Ghaus is another attractive feature of the city.
The ancient tom presents some magnificent examples of stone carvings for
which the artisans of Gwalior were justly famous.
» Sas Bhu Ka Mandir
Near
the eastern wall of the Gwalior fort lie the Sas-Bahu Temples. These
splendid pair of temples are wonderfully decorated with bas-reliefs. Though,
in a state of dilapidation, the temples make a magnificent sight to the
onlookers. The construction of the temples was finished in 1093. The larger
of the two showcases some brilliant sculptural work and intricate patterns.
» Tansen's Tomb
Master classical musician Tansen, one of the 'Nine Jewels' of Akbar's
court, lies here buried. The tomb is a living example of the Mughal style of
architecture. It also the place where the very popular Tansen Festival is
organised in the months of November-December every year.
» Gujari Mahal
The Gujari Mahal is a fantastic example of the brilliant medieval
architecture. It was Raja Mansingh who erected the palace as a tribute to
his beloved Gujar queen Mrignayni. There is an Archaeological Museum in the
palace exhibiting a collection of antiquities. The statue of Shalbhanjika
from Gyraspur is another attraction of the palace.
Which are the nearby hotels?
Gwalior,
being a major tourist destination, has ample accommodation facilities
ranging from Heritage to Mid-range to Economy hotels. Usha Kiran Palace (13
km from Airport) is a popular Heritage hotel in the city. The hotels
promises a comfortable and a carefree stay to its guests. Hotel Shelter (10
km from Airport) is a 4-star with facilities like banquet/ conference,
swimming pool, lawn, multi-cuisine restaurant etc. Hotel Central Park (12 km
from Airport) is also an ideal destination for business and leisure
travellers.
Where should you shop?
Gwalior is home to some of the oldest bazaars in the state. The shopping
items of the city include hand-woven carpets, wall hangings, jewellery,
fabrics and the famous Chanderi Sarees. Bara, Rajwara and Lashkar are the
main shopping areas of the city. The shops near Rajwara and Lashkar,
particularly those at Patankar Bazar, offer interesting and exquisite
traditional crafts of the city.
