Gwalior Travel Guide

Gwalior is the perfect entry point into Madhya Pradesh. It will instantly give you a feel of the state’s history, landscape and people. The people of Gwalior are as tough and resilient as its terrain. They have crossed swords with the mightiest armies in the country down the ages; and more recently, they have come into conflict with the dacoits who have plundered the Chambal River Valley.

Places to see in Gwalior:

Memorial of Rani (Queen) Jhansi
This memorial stands near Phoolbagh. One of the most famous ladies in the entire History of India, Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi laid down her life in Gwalior. Laxmibai was one of the leaders in the first freedom struggle of India. Rani of Jhansi, Laxmibai came to Gwalior when general Huroz of British army defeated Laxmibai in Kalpi.

Jai Vilas Palace
Jai Vilas is unmatched in scale and splendor. The durbar hall for formal audience measures 15 meters by 85 meters with the roof over 12 meters high. The ceiling is painted in pale green and gold and the floor is covered with perhaps the largest one-piece carpet woven in situ by the carpet makers in the world. This is the room about which lady Dufferin the Vicereine exclaimed in 1884”.

Tomb of Tansen
This is the tomb of the father of Hindustani classical music, the great Mian Tansen, one of the 'Nine Jewels' of Emperor Akbar's court. It is built in the early Mughal architectural style and is surrounded by lush gardens in typical Mughal style. Every year a national level music festival is organized here in November/December. There is a tamarind tree near the tomb. It is believed that Tansen got fabulous voice after eating leaves of this tree so people visiting the place also eat these leaves.

Moti Mahal
Jaivilas despite its opulence did not become the Maharaja’s favorite. It was more suited for a European prince than an oriental potentate. Another Palace was commissioned. Thus was Moti Mahal born, a modest mansion with nine hundred rooms. It draws inspiration from the medieval buildings in Gwalior and has an unmistakable oriental ambience with curving colonnaded terraces flanked by square towers.

Sas Bahu Ka Mandir
The Sas-Bahu temple was probably called the Shashtra Bahu temple. "The smaller one close to it was perhaps a Shiva temple, but over the years this pair of temples whose carvings can be compared to any of the great temples of India came to be known as the "Sas-Bahu temples".

Shopping in Gwalior:
Shopping in Gwalior is going to be a fabulous experience for the tourists who would like to carry home authentic items with a royal splendor. The Gwalior bazaars are perhaps the oldest in Madhya Pradesh. The shops in Gwalior have a lineage of centuries and were once patronized by the royalty in Gwalior. If you are looking for souvenirs with a traditional touch, you will find them in the shops near Rajwara, Laskar and Patankar Bazaar. You can choose from a range of art and craft items like lacquer ware, dolls, handwoven carpets, wall hangings and jewelery which make good gifts to carry home. Gwalior is famous for its Chanderi sarees and if you wish to buy them you should go to the Chowk at Bara.

Fairs and Festivals of Gwalior

The Tansen Music Festival
Gwalior has special affinity with the classical music and singing. It has been an influence on the Hindustani classical music. Gwalior has retained the strong musical tradition. Tansen the exponent of Dhrupad style, went on to evolve the Gwalior Gharana whose contemporary exponent is the world renowned Sarod player Amjad Ali Khan. As a tribute to Tansen, the great master of classical music, a festival is organised in the month of November/December every year. Renowned musicians from the country gather to give performance during the festival.

Climate of Gwalior:
The climate of Gwalior is extreme with hot summers and cold winters. The maximum temperature during the summer months can touch as high as 46°C, while in the winters it can go down to below 5°C.

How to get there:

By Air
Regular flights connect Gwalior with Delhi,
Bhopal, Indore and Mumbai.

By Rail
Gwalior is on the Central Railway's main Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Chennai lines. Among other major trains, the Taj and Shatabdi Expresses connect Gwalior with Delhi and Agra.

By Road
Gwalior is connected by regular bus services with Agra, Mathura, Jaipur, Delhi, Lucknow, Bhopal, Chanderi, Indore, Jhansi, Khajuraho, Rewa, Ujjain and shivpuri.