GWALIOR- A Regal City of dyanasties stuck in time….part 1

One weekend during the mid of March this year , I planned to visit Gwalior – the Heritage City with my family.With not many leaves in our disposal,Gwalior seemed to be just the right destination for a short getaway from Delhi.

We boarded Bhopal Shatabdi(12002) which departs from New Delhi Railway Station at 6 AM in the morning .We reached well in time by 9:30 AM and de-boarded the train at Gwalior Railway Station.

The ride from the Railway Station to our Hotel took us through the narrow roads of the city which was slowly & gradually waking up to a bright sunny morning.The city seemed to me virtually paused in time.Gwalior city is small and congested but has an old world charm to it if you know what I’m talking about.The pollution seemed to be on a high here.

Small  “Thellas” & Shops were opening up and people were steadily gathering up for their morning cuppa and speciality breakfast of Jalebis,Kachoris,Poha & Imarti.After reaching the Hotel we quickly freshened up and had our Breakfast right opposite to our Hotel,across the road on a small shop to get the feel and flavor of the local specialities right away (mentioned above). 

Let me tell you,if you really wish to enjoy & understand the local cuisine,leave your hotel restaurant and visit a local outlet and satisfy your gastronomical urge by mingling into local crowd and relishing the desi delicacies of the place.We had a sumptuous Breakfast before we move ahead to our first tourist attraction.

JAI VILLAS PALACE MUSEUM -

By far the best attraction of Gwalior is The majestic “Jai Vilas Palace Museum” which was rightly so our very first destination in the city.As soon as you come within the visible distance of this marvellous white Palace,you are blown away by the beauty of this grand property enhanced by lush green lawns sprinkled with beautiful colourful flowers. There is an entry fees here and you have to shell out extra to carry in your camera or mobile,otherwise you can keep your  belongings in lockers provided at the entrance.                                                                                                                                                 

 This Palace is a fine example of European Architecture and still houses the descendants of Scindia Dynasty.It is a 3 storey building,spread in a huge 13 lac sq ft area.The highlight of the Palace is the huge Darbar Hall decorated with  gold furnishings & massive chandeliers (weighing 3.5 tonnes) believed to be the heaviest in Asia.The Hall is about 100 ft long ,50 ft wide and 40 ft in height. 

Part of the Palace is now converted into museum which has about 35 rooms for the visitors consumption.Museum offers the public a unique view of the palace & focuses on various arts & crafts of the royal family.Each room is of historical importance in itself as they are decorated with Scindia Ancestors pictures, Art Galleries,various types & sizes of Swords dating back to Aurangzeb & Shah Jahan, the original "dhaal" of Rani Laxmi Bai of Jhansi,Library,Ladies only Swimming Pool, the Royal Living rooms, Bathrooms, Bedrooms, Gadgets & Antiques of yester era.   
                                                                                                                                          

   

The Palace leaves you with a sense of pride and makes you explore the life and times of kings and queens of that time. You will be mesmerised while looking at different types of Chariots,Palkis and war weapons.The ultimate one is the silver train on the dining table which serves to almost 120 guests at once in the dining room. 

Not taking away anything of the royal vintage cars on display here as well.                                                                            

GWALIOR FORT-

2^ND  attraction of Gwalior is the magnificent Fort which is the largest fort in India situated on a hilltop and presents a breathtaking view of the city down under. The fort spreads out over an area of 3 square km, surrounded by concrete walls of sandstone.The fort is a visual delight when it is decorated with light & sound show in the evenings.

The Gwalior fort encloses three temples, six palaces and numerous water tanks. At one point of time Gwalior fort was regarded as North and Central India's most invincible fortress.

Man Mandir and Gurjari Mahal, constructions in the Gwalior Fort notable for their sculpted work and architecture include the most famous Teli ka Mandir, The Elephant Gate (Hathi Pol gate), the Saas-bahu temple, Karn Mahal and Vikram Mahal. There is gruesome Jauhar Kund, where the women of the harem burnt themselves to death after the defeat of the king of Gwalior. 

The Teli-ka-Mandir is the most famous of all the temples of the Gwalior fort. This temple was built in the Dravidian style shrine and is notable for its generously sculpted exterior & is known to be the highest building in Gwalior. 

The Saas-Bahu Temples(Sahastra Bahu Ka Mandir) - (two pillared temples which stand next to each other, one larger than the other) are also fascinating. 

This temple has both Shiva & Vishnu statues,both the Gods were worshipped by different clans during ancient time.

It is humorously said that a royal mother -in-law & daughter-in-law fought about which deity to worship & this strange temple was built to satisfy them both. 

Although the Fort is in a bit of distress due to lot many attacks but still the beautiful colourful carvings catches ones eyes immediately .

This Fort is an iconic historic monument that express the culture of bygone era & is a must visit tourist destination. 

Close to the fort is Gurudwara Data Bandi Chhod Quilla- a memorial to the 6th Sikh Guru Hargobindji.

You will feel a lot of peace just sitting inside the premises & can experience taste of "Langar" as well.

While you are going to the fort which is on a hill top,you will witness Gopachal parvat- Lord Mahavira statue carvings on the mountain rocks.

 Its a beautiful piece of Jain-art.  

Sun Temple - 

The 3rd Interesting Attraction in Gwalior is the  breath-takingly beautiful Sun Temple. This is a new place of worship but has turned out to be one of the most popular tourist attraction of Gwalior due to its splendid architecture modelled on Konark Sun Temple of Odisha.   

There is much more to GWALIOR but let me continue further in my next blog in continuation to this one.Until then enjoy reading this first part .

Happy READING !!