Gwalior

How to reach Gwalior Fort

Gwalior Fort

Image credit to Bhamini

I was planning for visiting Gwalior Fort for a long. If you want to know a place if you want to know the fact than visit is the only solution.

Today I am here at Gwalior, the historical city of Madhya Pradesh. In my opinion, travel is one of the best learning tools. Someone learns by trailing never forget in his life. Are you agree with me. Any way.

You have many questions in your mind. Such as how to reach Gwalior Fort. Who built Gwalior fort. Gwalior kile ka itihas.I will show you everything. Let's come with me.

Gwalior Fort facts

Image credit to Ramakrishna Kongalla

Gwalior fort has a significant position in all Indian forts. It has a star position among all forts. This is the fort for which so many battles fought. Once who wins, once who loses are not alive today. They left an indelible mark in our history.

The fort was built in the 6th century by king Suraj Sen.It is said that the king was affected leprosy. He came here and met a saint Gwalipa. The saint gave Kund water to the king. Leprosy deceased cared for by this water. Thereafter the fort built and named it Gwalior fort in honor of the saint.

The fort sphered in a 3-kilometer area on the hilltop. It was under the possession of many kings and dynasties. Tomar, Mugal, Maratha, British and at last Scindhya dynasty.

There are so many visit places inside as well as outside of the fort. Such as Karan Mahal, Vikram Mahal, Jahangir Mahal, Gujari Mahal, and Man Mandir. A whole day is a must for seeing all these historical places.

Visitors entered the fort from the main gate called Gwalior gate. King Man Singh constructed many different parts along with the Gujari Mahal, which was prepared for his queen Mrignayani.

Babar captured the fort from Delhi Sultan. Akbar used the fort as a prison.Shikh Guru Hargovindji also kept in the fort by Jahangir.

At the time of British ruling in India, the fort came under their control. British handed the fort to the Scindhya dynasty. Jai Vilas palace constructed by the Scindhya dynasty and the fort was under their control till independence.

Sas Bahu Temple

It is very amazing that the temple belongs to the Sas Bahu.(temple of a daughter in law and mother in law)All of us knows that the relationship is very typical. Two different poles. They never met.

The fact is that there is no Sas Bahu temple. It is a Sehastrabahu temple. Sehastrabahu is another name of Lord Vishnu. Sas Bahu is an appendage of Sehastrabahu. The twin temple is in ruin condition. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. One portion called Bahu temple is almost destroyed. The temple was built by King Mahipal. Lord Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh showed at the entrance gate.

Teli Ka Mandir

Image credit to Gyanendra Singh chauha

Now once again we stunned with heard name Teli Ka  Mandir. The temple of an oilman.What is happening in Gwalior.Why this oilman temple.

The truth is different. There are so many tales about the name of the temple. Accordingly, the temple was built by oil merchants during the 8th and 9th centuries. So the name of the temple becomes Teli ka Mandir.

Another story says that the prest of the temple was a Telang Barham. So it is called Teli Is Mandir. Anyway, don't go to the name.

The 100feet high temple belongs to Lord Vishnu. It is the tallest temple in fort premises. The temple is a good example of a combination of South and north cultural. The temple has a rectangular sanctum instead of the squire. The peak of the temple is in Dravin style while the decoration and other things are in Nagar style.

Gujari Mahal

Image credit to Gyanendra Singh chauha

When we talk about a king and there is no love story. Is it possible. King Man Singh loved very much his wife queen Mrignayani. He built a separate Mahal within the fort for the queen. She was a Gurjer princess. So the Mahal called the Gujari Mahal. Nowadays it is the archaeological museum. Sculpture, idol, terracotta,, bagh items of 2nd century medieval age are kept here. The beautiful photograph of the Mandu Mahal is also kept in the museum.

Man Mandir Palace

The Man Mandir Palace built by King Man Singh Tomar from during1486 to 1517. When the fort was under the jurisdiction of Aurangzeb, he kept his brother Murad in the prison of the palace. It is said that he was murdered by giving slow poison.

Man Mandir Palace also witnesses of Johar of Rajputana ladies. Johar Kund is a place within the Man Mandir where ladies jumped into burning well and death after the defeated king from Mugal. They want to scape their muliebrity from the Mughal emperor. We salute great Indian ladies.

The painting and drawing of Man Mandir Palace are observable. It is artistic.

Simultaneously a beautiful light and sound show arranged in the fort.

Sun Temple

When we talk about Sun temple, it strikes in our mind as Konark Sun Temple. The temple also inspired by Konark. The red sandstone having white marble flooring inside. The temple was built by the famous industrialist of India late Shri G. D.Birla in 1988.

The temple is about five Km from railway station Morar. It is opened for visitors Sunrise to sunset. Aarti performed in the morning and evening.

Tomb of Tansen

Nav Ratan(jewel) in the assembly of Akbar is famous. There were nine eminent personalities in their field called Nav Ratan. Tansen was one of them. He was a famous musician. He was a disciple of Sufi saint Mohommad Ghaus.

At a walkable distance of one kilometer from the fort there is the tomb of Tansen in the vicinity of his Guru Mohommad Ghaus tomb. Well maintained greenery and garden around the tomb. Both the tomb are in Mugal architectural style.

Tansen was the leader of Dhrupad. He composition many new rags, the melody of Hindustani classical music. In the month of November/December, a national level music festival arranged every year at the courtyard of Tansen tomb.

Jay Vilas Palace

Image credit to Mohit Kjain 123

The beautiful royal palace built-in 1874 by Maharaja Jiyaji Rao Scindhya.One portion of the palace converted as a museum. The museum shows the lifestyle of the royal family. The furniture, carpet, gift and show peace kept in the museum. There are two Jhumer whos weight is Seven ton each is amazing. Sords, weapons, dhal, spears are available here. One more thing a food train run on the dining table and served food to family members and gust during dinner.Amazing.

The palace is a good example of European architecture. The palace is spent more than 1200000 sq. feet and having  400 rooms.

Image credit to Shobhit Gosain

The Darbar Hall of the palace decorated with gold polish. It is 100 feet length,50 feet width and 41 feet of hight. Crystal chandeliers are very attractive.

The royal palace opened for visitors from 10 AM to 4.30 PM on working days. The entry fee for Indian/foreigner is Rs.150/800 respectively. Sir Michael's mind is behind this beautiful royal palace.

Padavali and Bateshwar

Image credit to Vikramjit rooprai

If you have spare time of one day, you can visit Padavali and Bateshwar. It is near about 50 Km from Gwalior in Morena district.

When we entered Bateshwar, there was a temple complex. There are 200 temples adjacent to each other. The temples were discovered and restored by the Archaeological Servey of India. Some temples destroyed due to the earthquake and the hit of a long period of time.

Morena and Chambal range famous for the dacoit problem. It is stated that the place used by dacoit for their hide.

All the temples at downhill dedicated to Lord Shiva and Vishnu. The temples built by the Gurjar Pratihar dynasty during the 8th and 10th centuries.

Our next destination is the Padavali village. We find again a temple of Lord Shiva of 8th century. The temple reminds to famous Khajuraho temples and also called mini Khajuraho. Beautiful carving may be seen here. The story of Ramayan, Mahabharat, and Krishna Leea depicted on wall and pillar of the temple.

Further, at Mitaoli village, there is a round shape temple on the hilltop called Mitawali temple. It is said that the design of our Sansad Bhawan is taken from the temple. There are 64 rooms in the temple having an image of Shiv. It is also called chooseth yogini temple.

Image credit to Kmohankar

Last but not least we purchase some Gajak. It is a famous item of Morena. Gajak is a sweet dish prepared from jaggery and sesame or peanut. Our vehicle turned back to Gwalior.

How to reach Gwalior

Gwalior is a famous historical city of Madhya Pradesh. It lies on Delhi Mumbai central railway line. The distance from Delhi is 345 Km. The distance from the capital Bhopal is 401 Km. B uses from all major cities are available.

Gwalior has a domestic airport which is 8 Km away from the city. It provides a limited flight for Delhi and Mumbai.

What we are today, our history, our culture is behind it. History of Gwalior fort is a good example of all these things. If you want to know, the visit is the only solution. Make your travel trip to the ancient historical city of Madhya Pradesh. Have you seen my previous post-Taj Mahal reason behind the monument.