Every place has a story of its own. You cannot hear the story once you are not there. Each place has a unique story to tell. If you can hear it, you know where the adventure in traveling lies. Gwalior is a city in Madhya Pradesh, which has some exciting stories to offer- both culturally and historically. This is a place of warriors, who tell stories about bravery and how to rule a kingdom. The city monuments show the excellence in architecture they had and the historical significance of them.
The culture and the food
Gwalior was under the rule of Gupta Dynasty and later was conquered by the Sindhis, Mughals and the British. Thus, the cuisine has also evolved from time to time. When you are traveling to Gwalior, the food in train always offers specialties like Poha and Paneer Pilaf. Gwalior is also the land of Kachoris and Samosas. Gwalior Bhujia is a world famous snack item and, in sweet dish, one must try the Anjeer roll, which is made of dates and sugar.
The attractions that you cannot ignore
Traveling to Gwalior means visiting forts and sculptures and appreciating the architecture. The places that one cannot miss are as follows.
Gwalior Fort
The magnificent Fort that stands on the top of an isolated rock is the centre of attraction in this city. This fort was constructed around 1000 years ago and according to Mughal Emperor Babar, this is the pearl in the necklace of all the forts in India. The architecture and the stone carvings are mesmerizing. There are six palaces inside the Fort, which have different stories and three temples. Each of them has a brilliant architecture that leaves one in awe.
Sun Temple
Dedicated to the Sun God, this famous temple was built in the year 1988 by the industrialist G D Birla. The exterior of the temple is made of red sand stones and the interior is made of pure white marble. The structure of the temple is magnificent, and it is said that this temple is made as a replica of the huge Konark temple in Orissa.
Memorial of Tansen
We all have heard about the great musician and singer Tansen. He was one among the nine gems called ‘Navaratna’ in the court of Akbar. This memorial reflects the architecture of Mughal era. The lush green surroundings and the garden area of the memorial make it a great place to visit.
Jai Vilas Palace
Completely built in European style, this palace has a mixture of Tuscan, Corinthian and Italian style of architectures. It was constructed by Maharaja Jiyaji Rao Scindia in the year 1875. This palace has been turned into a museum now. The Durbar Hall inside the palace has the largest pair of chandeliers in Asia hanging from its ceiling.
By Mohitkjain123 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
Gwalior is a visual treat to the tourists who love history. The palaces, museums and temples make it a perfect place where one can enjoy their holidays alone or with friends and family.