Gwalior - 21 Attractions You Must Visit
About Gwalior
Gwalior district is one of the 52 districts of Madhya Pradesh state in central India. Other cities and towns in this district are Antari, Bhitarwar, Bilaua, Dabra, Morar Cantonment, Pichhore, and Tekanpur.
Types of Attractions in Gwalior
List of Attractions in Gwalior
Baija Taal
Outdoors- Other
Man-made Structures- Other
Baija Taal Cultural Complex is Gwalior city’s latest attraction. It was built by Baija Baj, belonging to the Scindia family. Originally here stood an oval-shaped tank with bridges leading to the surrounding stone steps. The tank was meant for ceremonial and festive use. Now it is modified and rebuilt as a cultural complex containing an art gallery and open-air theatre.
Chaturbhuj Temple Gwalior Fort
Hindu Temples
Notable Architectures
Chaturbhuj is a Hindu temple excavated in a rock face in the Gwalior Fort, in c875 AD, by Alla, the son of Vaillabhatta, and the grandson of Nagarabhatta of the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty, in present-day Madhya Pradesh
Ghatigaon Wildlife Sanctuary
Outdoors- Other
Wildlife Sanctuaries
This is a wildlife sanctuary established in Gwalior in 1981. the sanctuary has a significant population of the Indian Bustard. The sanctuary also houses a lot of other animals also. There are also so many interesting things in and around the sanctuary.
Gopachal Rock Cut Jain Statue
Jain Temples
Mountain Peaks
Notable Architectures
Gopachal Parvat is famous for the 7th and 15th century rock-cut Jain monuments. The monuments are dedicated to Jain Tirthankaras - Adinatha, Mahavir, Neminatha and Rishanabhanatha - whose idols can be seen in a meditative posture. They are a part of 100 monuments located in and around the city.
Gujari Mahal archaeological museum Gwalior
Museums
Art Galleries
This is a state museum in Gwalior, located in the fortress of the Gujari Mahal. It displays numerous artifacts of the region, including a fragment of the Garuda capital of the Heliodorus pillar from Vidisha. Rare artifacts at the museum include Hindu and Jain sculptures dated to the 1st and 2nd centuries BCE, a miniature statue of Salabhanjika, terracotta items and replicas of frescoes seen in the Bagh Caves.
Gurudwara Shri Data Bandi Chhor Shahib
Gurdwaras
Man-made Structures- Other
Gurudwara Data Bandi Chhod is a memorial constructed in the memory of Guru Hargobind Sahib. Built inside the Gwalior Fort, the Gurudwara was constructed in 1970. Made up of marble and colourful stained glass exteriors, the Gurudwara is one of the significant Sikh pilgrimage sites and is visited by many tourists each year.
Gwalior Fort
Forts
Notable Architectures
Gwalior Fort is one of the most impenetrable fortresses located in the heart of Gwalior situated on the top of a vast rocky mountain. It is also the places where the second oldest reference of the number 'zero' has been found in the form of a carving inside a temple on the top of the fort. The entire fort complex is well maintained and includes temples, water tanks, and palaces.
Gwalior Zoo
Outdoors- Other
Zoos
Spread over an area of 8 hectares, Gwalior Zoo is home to some rare species of animals including a white tiger. The main animals which are present in the zoo are deer, monkeys, Royal Bengal Tiger, serpents, crocodile, spotted deer, sambhar, hyena, lion, rabbits, panther, bear, hippopotamus, etc. The zoo also has some rare and colorful birds, snakes, lizards, etc. Families and Wildlife enthusiasts can visit the zoo and spend their quality time amidst the animals.
Jai vilas mahal
Man-made Structures- Other
Palaces
Notable Architectures
Jai Vilas Palace, is a nineteenth-century palace in Gwalior, India. It was established in 1874 by Maharajadhiraj Shrimant Jayajirao Scindia Alijah Bahadur, the Maharaja of Gwalior. While the major part of the palace is now the "Jiwajirao Scindia Museum" opened to the public in 1964, a part of it is still the residence of his descendants the former royal Maratha Scindia dynasty.
Karn Mahal
Man-made Structures- Other
Palaces
Notable Architectures
The Karan Mahal is another significant monument at Gwalior Fort. The Karn mahal was built by the second king of the Tomar dynasty, Kirti Singh. He was also known as Karn Singh, hence the name of the palace.
Man Singh Palace
Palaces
Notable Architectures
Gwalior is also popular for the Man Singh Palace. Located within the Gwalior Fort, it is a splendid example of Hindu architecture of the 14th and 15th centuries. The Man Singh Palace was made under the rule of Tomar ruler Raja Man Singh. Construction of the palace was done between 1486 and 1516. This is also the place where Mughal emperor Aurangzeb jailed and killed his kin Murad.
Phool Bagh
Outdoors- Other
Parks
Plantations
Phool Bagh is situated within the vicinity of Gwalior Railway Station. Constructed by late Madho Rao Scindia, Phool Bagh comprises a residential palace and a museum along with other buildings. The garden was inaugurated by the Prince of Wales in 1922 on his visit to Gwalior. Gwalior zoo along with a temple, a mosque and a Gurudwara are situated in the garden. Moreover, there is a Theosophical Lodge and a prayer place within the campus of Phool Bagh.
Sarod Ghar
Man-made Structures- Other
Museums
Art Galleries
Sarod ghar is a museum of music and has been set up in the ancestral house of the legendary Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan. This museum houses ancient musical instruments which were used by legendary Indian musicians of the past. It also exhibits a great collection of documents and photographs and the aim of this museum is to promote Indian classical culture and music.
Sas Bahu Temple
Hindu Temples
Notable Architectures
Sas Bahu Temple in Gwalior is a famous temple, dedicated to Lord Vishnu by King Mahipala. Lord Vishnu is also known as Sahastrabahu, the one with many hands. But gradually the name changed into Sas Bahu Temple. The temple has a rare quality of architectural skill displayed in it. it is mostly in ruins and was badly damaged from numerous invasions and Hindu-Muslim wars in the region.
Sheetla Mata Mandir
Hindu Temples
Man-made Structures- Other
Notable Architectures
A Hindu temple dedicated to Sheethla matha in Gwalior. This is a divine spiritual place and it is not only for sightseeing but enables you to steal a self indulgent moment for yourself as well.
Sun Temple Gwalior
Hindu Temples
Notable Architectures
Sun Temple is one of the most popular shrines as well as an architectural wonder that adorns the city of Gwalior. The temple is dedicated to the holy Sun God and was constructed in the year 1988 by the famous industrialist G.D. Birla. The temple sits in the midst of a lush green garden that stands in beautiful contrast to the meticulous architecture.
Teli Ka Mandir
Hindu Temples
Notable Architectures
Teli ka Mandir, also known as Telika Temple, is a Hindu temple located within the Gwalior Fort. Dedicated to Vishnu, Shiva and Matrikas, it has been variously dated between the early 8th and early 9th century CE. The temple is a classic example of a design based on "musical harmonics" in architecture,one that Hermann Goetz called as a masterpiece of late Gupta era Indian art.
TIGHRA DAM
Dams
Man-made Structures- Other
Notable Architectures
Tighra Dam was constructed in 1916 on the Sank River and is a major source of water for the city of Gwalior. This dam has been constructed in the vicinity of eleven villages. The villagers depend on this dam for their irrigation, drinking and domestic purpose. The dam is an engineering marvel that has a capacity of 4.8 million cubic meters.
Tomb of Mohammad Ghaus
Tombs
Monuments
This is the tomb of the Muslim saint Muhammad Ghaus, who assisted Babur when he conquered the fort of Gwalior in 1526. The building is square in plan and topped by a squat dome decorated with blue ceramic tiles. This is truly an architectural wonder of ancient time.
Tomb of Tansen
Man-made Structures- Other
Tombs
Monuments
This is the tomb of Tanzen, One of the greatest musicians of India and en eminent vocalist in the courts of Akbar in the medieval period . Tansen Samaroh is the most significant music festival of Gwalior State. Well-known musicians participate in the Samaroh to offer musical tribute to Tansen near this place.