Gwalior is an historical place of Madhya  Pradesh . It is surrounded by District Morena  in the North, District Shivpuri in the south, District Behind in the East and District Datia  in the west. The District is having two sub-divisions , namely, Gwalior & Dabra.

                                               

There are three tehsils, namely, Gwalior, Dabra & Bhitarwar and four Development Blocks namely, Ghatigaon (Barai), Morar, Dabra & Bhitarwar.

The Gwalior is blessed with Classical  Music  Maestro  Miya Tansen. In memory of him, three days Tansen Samaroh program take place every year and the Classical music stars participate in this  program and entertain the people of Gwalior with their outstanding performance. Also the Gwalior Trade Fair take place every year in the month of December-January.

GWALIOR FORT & TOURIST SPOTS

Gwalior fort is one of the beautiful and famous forts of India. Writer Taj-Ul-Maseer writes about this fort, "Fast Wind can not touch its climax and fast clouds can not cast their shadow on its PARKOTAS. On its Vakshshtal there are written stories of life/death, Sanyog-viyog, bravery and cowardice.
This is situated 110 Km. south of Agra. This stony hillock where its stands is made of peculiar strong stone. This fort is more than 300 ft. high. This is 3 k.m. long and from North to South and 600 to 3000ft.broad from east to west.


                                                    

On the eastern side of the historic fort Raja Man Singh got constructed a beautiful palace. Outside the palace there are 6 beautiful high gates. Almost all have praised its architect 6 palace have been built on this fort and Gujri Mahal is one of the worth seeing spots. There are two routes to reach to this fort. First Gwalior gate is in the east and the second Urvai gate is in the west. Apart from them, there were 3 more gate which led inside, of them Thotha Por and Radha Gargaj gates and third is in the south which have been closed now. 5 gates have to be crossed to reach the fort from the eastern side. First gate is ALAMGIR DARWAZA which is now commonly known as Gwalior Gate. Second is BADALGARH or HINDOLA gate, Third is Ganesh Dwar, fourth is LAXMAN DWAR and 5th is Hathipore. Alamgir Darwaza  was got constructed in 1660 by Motimid Khan Governor of this fort in the regime of Aurangzeb.Badalgarh gate is a wonderful example of stone craft which was constructed in 15th century which is known in the name of Badal Singh brother of Raja Kalyan Mal Tomar.

BUILDINGS AT THE FORT
                                                    

About half a dozen palaces exist on this historic fort, some of them were constructed by Raja Man Singh and some by Muslim rulers. Manmandir which exhibits good craftsmanship was got constructed by Raja Mansingh in 1516.The eastern front portion is 300 feet and 80 feet wide. Over this building are six big tombs. This is an example of great craftsman ship of stone carving. Southern portion of Man Mandir is 150 feet long and 50-60 feet high; over this 3 BURJIYAN through over 500 years old steel shine. Idols of Animals-Birds, Trees and human beings are made in the walls of the building which add to its beauty.

GUJRI MAHAL

The second place in Gujri Mahal. Raja Man Singh got it constructed for his wife MRIGNAYANI whom he loved very much. This palace too was constructed, i.e. around 1515-17. On all the four sides rooms are constructed  in Gujri Mahal. There is no such room which does not exhibits example of high art. In this palace water was brought by earthen pipe for Rani "MRIGNAYANI". Other two palaces are Karan Mahal and second Vikram Mahal.On seeing them common man is led to appreciate SANSKRAT VABHV of this area.
                                                          

There are two more palaces Jahangir Mahal and Shah Jahan Mahal. There were many more mandir. Of them a few are still safe and are examples of beautiful craftsman ship. of them SAS BAHU KA MANDIR, TELE KA MANDIR, JAIN IDOLS and Chaturbhuj Mandir are worth seeing. In this great fort there are many a tank which have been carved from the stones. Of them Johar Talab, Mansarovar, Suraj kund and Gangola Taal are the oldest . Apart from this and this historic big fort of Gwalior there are many a BAITHAK and building of European style which is converted as Scindia School now a days.

GURDWARA DAATA BANDI CHHOD

In the memory of Sixth Guru of Sikhs Har Govind Singh Ji Bhavya Gurudwara has been constructed at Gwalior fort. When Jhahgir was throned at Delhi in 1605, Shahzada Khusro had revolted against Jahangir. In Taran Taran Khusro sought blessing from the 5th Guru of Sikhs Guru Arjun Dev Ji.

                                                     

Data Bandi Chod Gurudwara has been fully constructed of Marble. This is a grand and huge Gurudwara. Colored  Glasses decorate the main building. The Kalashs at the gumbads are made of gold. There are also 2 tanks in it. Recital of Guru Granth Sahib makes the surroundings atmosphere peaceful and sacred. Peace is here on Amavasya there are 4 special prayers, religious songs and keertan; in which many followers participate. This occasion is transformed in to a fair. Food is always distributed here in form of Langer . Baba Uttam Singh and Baba Amar Singh stated its construction in 1970 with great zeal and enthusiasm. Tourists, visiting Gwalior visit this Gurudwara frositively. On 30th July , 1993 Sant Baba Amar Singh Ji passed away for heavenly abode while serving the humanity. Such Saint have rarely been observed by me on this planet. Baba Amar Singh Ji had served the humanity for the past 2 decades and was poplars in all classes of society.

SCINDIA SCHOOL 

Scindia school was established at the historic fort. India’s famous public school was established by Late Madho Rao Scindia in 1879 in the name of "SARDAR SCHOOL" in the nature's lap. This is now known as SCINDIA SCHOOL in place of SARDAR SCHOOL . At present, student of various states and foreigners are being educated. The school is continuously progressing and now this is one of the special school of India.

SAMADHI  OF  RANI  LAXMI  BAI

In the first independent movement Viranngna Laxmi Bai who shake the British Empire, her Samadhi is in the Campus of Phool Bhag. Eight metalled tall statue of Rani Laxmi Bai situated here which is a source of inspiration to our youth. This SAMADHI reminds us the martyors of  freedom. In the honor and memory of the Rani, every year a fair is held here on the 18th of June.

PHOOL BHAG

At a short distance from Railway Station, there exist Garden in Phool Bhag. In the Phool Bhag campus their exist Residential palace, Museum and other buildings. This Garden was constructed by Late Madho Rao Scindia. In 1922 Prince Wales inaugurated it on his arrival at Gwalior. The only zoo of Gwalior city is situated in this campus .One temple, one Mosque, one Gurudwara ,Theophosical Lodge and prayer place of both religion exist here. Construction were done by the then Govt. as an example of religious equality and harmony.

JAIVILAS  PALACE
Jaivilas  palace was constructed for the residence of Maharaja Scindia at the cost of about Rs.19 lac during 1861 to 1874. This is made in a big Garden  decorated by shady trees and beautiful roads. On all the four sides there are lakes and lawns and flowers beds which make the sight very attractive. The area of this palace is 12, 04, 771, square feet. Michael filoz was its designers and constructor who intelligently prepared its design on the basis of PILAZEZ of Italy.

                                                    

MOTI  MAHAL

Moti Mahal is one of the worth seeing palaces which was once Secretariat of Madhya Bharat Govt.  At present there are many offices of the present Govt. Colored glass work has been done very beautifully. In some of its rooms and there are many wall paintings which exhibit Hindu Purans , RAG RAGNYON, Maharaja's settings as Darbar and various rally’s etc. of Maharaja Jiwaji Rao.

4  MUSEUMS

Of the main Museums of this place are Municipal Corporation Museum, Maharaja Jiwaji Rao Scindia Museum, and Gujri Mahal Museum situated on the ground of the fort are the chief ones. ASI MUSEUM at fort near Man Mandir Museum of Nagar Nigam was got constructed by Ex.Maharaja Madho Rao Scindia in 1902. This Museum contains Pashan Pratimayai, Chine clay ,glass Ivory, instruments of warfare , old coins, animals -birds, artistic picture, samples of prastar shilp handicraft and apart from them there are AVSHESH of India’s first independence Movement?  PURV SAMACHAR KAKHSH VATHIKA, and PRASTAR KOSHAL VITHIKA,etc.are assembled in the museum . The Maharaja Jiwaji Rao Museum was established in 1964 is one of the wing of Jaivilas palace. PASHAN PRATIMAYAI Metal Idols ,coins, LAGHO CHITRAS, art of ivory, cut glass work are displayed in this Museum. The most talked things are big FANOOS JHAAD, Napolean table, SILVER TRAIN and Persian carpet.

LAXMI  BAI  PHY.  EDU.  UNIVERSITY

The fame of this establishment in Gwalior is equal ant to that of sports establishment of patiala. This establishment imparts physical training to men and women not only of India but also to the foreigners. For continuous training facility this establishment is progressing  continuously. Apart from the routine training , National or Inter-national sports in this university accord a special status. Such institution impart importance to Gwalior.

SURYA  MANDIR

From the time of immemorial worshiping god Sun has special place in Gwalior. Mono of Scindia dynasty rulers has been the Surya and Sheshnaag. From this it is established that its dynasty is Naag-kul Bhushan. Birla on 23rd January 1988 gifted Surya Mandir (the sun temple)  to the people of Gwalior. Pink stone has been used in its construction . In the centre of a Chabutra is the very beautiful idol of  SURYA Bhagwan . In the centre (GARBH-GREH) a special device has been adopted for reaching the sun rays on Idol of Surya Bhagwan.

GWALIOR FAIR

Gwalior exhibition which start in December is famous in the whole of the country. This fair starts on 20th December for a period of one month. This is the biggest exhibition of Northern India. In the campus of fair , there are about one thousand pack a shop which are decorated in artistic manner by commercial sectors  and Govt. departments. Almost all states participate in this commercial fair in establishing their stalls. Businessmen from Jammu Kashmir to Madras Kerala sell there goods. In this exhibition, there are Kavi Samelans and Mushayras of India level. There are also wrestling and fire work features

HOW TO  REACH  GWALIOR

Gwalior is well connected with  all  the  major cities of India by Road, Train  and also  with Air.
By Air-Indian Air lines provide regular flights. From Delhi, Bombay, Indore there are daily planes to Gwalior whereas for Jabalpur and Raipur there are 3 flight in a week.

By Rail-Gwalior is situated on Central Railway on Delhi- Bombay and Delhi-Madras. From Agra, Delhi, Bhopal, Madras, Bombay and Bangalore there are about 25 super fast trains in 24 hours.

By Bus for Gwalior there are regular buses from Agra, Mathura, Raipur, Delhi, Luck now, Bhopal, Chanderi, Indore, Jhansi, Khujrao, Rewa, Ujjain and Shivpuri, etc. There are also Luxury buses from Agra, Delhi, and Bhopal etc. Taxies, Tonga’s, Auto-Rickshaw and Tempos ply in greater Gwalior.


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