Top 17 Things Gwalior Is Famous For

1. Gopachal Parvat rock-cut sculptures

Best for: History and art enthusiasts

Gopachal Parvat Jaina monuments are rock-cut sculptures in Padmasana and Kayotsarga postures on the eastern face of a cliff. It may be quiet there during your visit because uninterested tourists do not stop by on their way to Gwalior Fort; a missed opportunity. The sculptures range in size from 2 meters to 10 meters (6.6 feet to 32.8 feet). Some statues are defaced but most are intact. There are intricate carvings to view as well, and hidden caves to explore. There are stairs to climb to reach the statues and you need to do so barefoot. The carvings are believed to have been made between the 7th and 15th centuries.

Gopachal Parvat rock-cut sculptures

Address: Phulbagh Rd, Gopachal Marg, Lashkar, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474002, India

2. Gwalior Fort

Best for: History and architecture buffs

Gwalior Fort is as impenetrable now as it was in the 10th century. The main palaces are fortified by defensive structures, the first of which is a wall made of sandstone. Also known as “Pearl Amongst Fortresses”, this fort may have been built as early as the 6th century. Its high vantage point on a rocky mountain makes it a dominant feature of Gwalior, which can seen from anywhere in the city. The fort has six temples within, along with water tanks. There are six palaces too, the most elaborate of which is the Man Mandir Palace. It is an important landmark for architecture, with various sections representing decorative motifs from different regions and dynasties in India. You will reach this most important monument in Gwalior after a steep climb up a winding road.

Gwalior Fort

Address: Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474008, India

Website: Gwalior Fort

Opening hours: 6am - 5.30pm (daily)

Price: 1 USD (Indian nationals); 3.34 USD (foreign nationals)

3. Jai Vilas Palace

Best for: History and architecture buffs

Jai Vilas Mahal was established by the Maharaja of Gwalior in the late 19th century and designed by Michael Filose, a Knight Commander of the Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire. Living descendants of the Maratha Scindia dynasty still call the palace home. Their private quarters are closed to the public. Twenty-five rooms of the palace are now serving as Jiwajirao Scindia Museum. The commodious Darbar Hall is clad in solid gold and has two majestic chandeliers. The facade presents combined styles from various traditions. Apart from the impressive facade and spectacular Darbar Hall, the palace boasts singular art and decorative pieces adorning its 400 rooms.

Jai Vilas Mahal

Address: Lashkar, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474007, India

Website: Jai Vilas Palace

Opening hours: Thu - Tue: 10am - 4.30pm (closed on Wed)

Price: 2 USD (Indian nationals), 8 USD (foreign nationals)

4. Street food

Best for: Culinary explorers

When walking the streets of Gwalior you’re likely to find excellent Jodhpur waale ki Kachaudi (kachori), a popular snack. Essentially, it’s a deep-fried bread. Choose a stall with a long line. They’re guaranteed to serve great street food. How about something sweet? Bahadura waale ke laddu is an Indian confection made with sugar, flour, and sweetening and rolled into bite-sized balls. In Gwalior’s busy streets you’ll find fresh bundi laddus made before your eyes. Even if you don’t have a sweet tooth, it would be difficult to resist the temptation at Bahadura Sweets. You’ll find it at Naya Bazar, Gwalior. The street is narrow and crowded and there’s not enough sitting space, but they have the best laddu as it is made of pure clarified butter - desi ghee.

Bahadura Sweets

Address: Lohiya Bazaar Road Near, Bajaj Oli, Naya Bazaar, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474009, India

Website: Bahadura Sweets

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 6am - 7.30pm; Sun: 6am - 1pm

5. Tansen Music Festival

Best for: Music lovers, musicians, culture enthusiasts

Tansen Samaroh or Tansen Sangeet Samaroh is a celebration of Indian classical music and the life and works of the great musical legend, Mian Tansen (Ramtanu Misra). The musical extravaganza starts on December 17 and ends on the 21st. Tansen was a vocalist, instrumentalist, and composer in the court of the Mughal Emperor Jalal ud-din Akbar. The Ustad Alauddin Khan Kala Evam Sangeet Academy and Madhya Pradesh government work together to organize the annual event, which is the most esteemed music festival in the country. You should visit Gwalior in December to experience the best classical musicians in India. Renowned international artists perform at the cultural festival as well.

Tansen Samaroh

Address: Tansen Samadhi Parisar, Hajeera, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh

Website: Tansen Samaroh

6. Gwalior Trade Fair

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Best for: Shopaholics, culture enthusiasts, families, couples, solo travelers

The largest trade fair in Madhya Pradesh happens in Gwalior. The cattle trade is the star of the show, and for more than a hundred years the fair has been attracting a humongous number of people yearly. The Gwalior Trade Fair was established by Maharaja Madhav Rao Scindia in 1905. Merchants, artisans, budding entrepreneurs, and people of all ages buy and sell goods of every kind from daybreak until late in the night. Cultural and musical performances add color to an already extravagant event. You’d want to check out the Shilp Bazaar for some of the finest handmade goods sold in India. Visit Gwalior in December for a chance to experience this remarkable trade fair.

Gwalior Trade Fair

Address: Mela Ground (Pragathi Maidan), Race Course Road, Gwalior, India

7. Savouries

Best for: Foodies

A bowl of namkeen could see you through a hectic day of sightseeing around Gwalior. Namkeen or numkin is a collective term for savory snacks in India. Some of the most popular namkeen are punukkulu, tikha gathiya, chivda, farsan, Gujarati gathiya, and sev. They are packed with flavor, filling, and made with a variety of Indian spices. You can get them freshly made by street vendors. You’ll find them in supermarkets as well. Meanwhile, gajak is a special treat from Madhya Pradesh. It is an ancient recipe that has been expanded through generations. Essential ingredients for this dry confection are sugar, jaggery, and sesame seeds. Gajak is usually made in the cold months. Packaged versions are available from supermarket shelves if you want to bring them home for family and friends.

New Rathore Namkeen Bhandar

Address: B Block, Chouraha, Anand Nagar Gate, Anand Nagar Chouraha, Lashkar, Bhohdapur, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474002

Opening hours: 10am - 9pm (daily)

8. Tansen Tomb

Best for: History and culture enthusiasts

According to legend, Tansen enchanted animals, and made it pour with his vocal prowess. The gifted Hindustani musician was born in 1500 and passed away in 1586. The Mughal Emperor brought him to his court after hearing about his talents. His astounding performances were documented by court historians, mixing fact with flights of fancy. As mentioned above, Tansen’s brilliance as a musician is commemorated yearly in the Tansen Samaroh. His influence can still be felt today particularly in the Dhrupad compositions he left behind. Visiting the Memorial of Tansen in Gwalior is a way of paying tribute to his contribution to the world of music in India. The tomb is also in itself an architectural marvel and testament to the decorative bent of Mughal architecture.

The Memorial of Tansen

Address: Gwalior,, Tansen Nagar, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474002, India

Opening hours: 8am - 6pm (daily)

9. Maharaj Bada (Jayaaji Chowk)

Best for: Shopaholics, architecture buffs

Maharaj Bada (Jayaaji Chowk) is a central grand square in Lashkar that is surrounded by heritage buildings. Bada is a market where the hustle and bustle of the city are palpable. Before your attention turns to the stalls, jewelry shops, and business establishments, look around Bada and its architectural marvels. At the center of the square is a white marble platform bearing the statue of Shrimant Jayajirao Scindia, who ruled Gwalior as Maharaja from 1843 to 1886. Surrounding the square in an oval ring are the abandoned Victoria market, the Devghar Mandir beside Gorkhi gate, the General Post Office Building, the SBI ATM building, the Town Hall, and the Government Press. Bada should be easy to find as it is located in the center of Lashkar.

Maharaj Bada

Address: Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474001, India

10. Sun Temple

Best for: Culture enthusiasts, architecture buffs

Surya Mandir in Gwalior is a temple for the Sun God and modeled after the Konark Surya Mandir in Odisha. It is a popular spot for tourists and one of 20 sun temples in India. It is an important place of worship as well. The Sun Temple was built in 1988 by Ghanshyam Das Birla, an industrialist and philanthropist associated with Mahatma Gandhi. The temple used white marble for the interiors and has a red sandstone exterior. The design of the temple is that of a chariot with seven horses. The reins of the chariot are held by the Sun God himself. Though not made in ancient times, it is the product of remarkable artistry and craft.

Sun Temple (Surya Mandir)

Address: Residency Rd, Mahaveer, Morar, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474004, India

Opening hours: 6.30am - 12pm; 1pm - 6 pm (daily)

11. Man Mandir Palace

Best for: History enthusiasts

Named after the brave ruler, Man Singh Tomar, Man Mandir Palace was commissioned in the early 15th century. Unfortunately, the palace was unable to survive the test of time; however, its remains are as best preserved by the government and heritage department as possible.

There are two separate apartments on ground level and some underground prison cells that were used to keep the enemies captive. One of these prisons was used by Aurangzeb who kidnapped and imprisoned his brother Murad and later poisoned him.

There is also the infamous Jauhar Kund where hundreds if not thousands of Rajput women committed mass suicide to avoid getting raped by the enemy’s army when the fort was breached in the 13th century.

Man Mandir Palace

Address: Gwalior Fort, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474008

Website: Man Mandir Palace

12. Teli Ka Mandir

Best for: Architecture and history enthusiasts

Another engineering marvel located in the Fort of Gwalior, Teli Ka Mandir was used to process oil in those days. The temple was built in the 9th century and is one of the tallest buildings inside the fort. The temple was closed after the Britishers invaded the country later in the 18th century.

Even though the look of the temple is very much Dravidian, the sculptures that are found inside the temple represent North Indian architecture which is itself inspired by Buddhist architecture.

Teli Ka Mandir

Address: Fort Campus, Near Schiendhi School, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474001

Website: Teli Ka Mandir

13. Scindia Museum

Best for: History buffs, families, couples, solo travelers

Widely regarded as one of the most prominent museums in Madhya Pradesh, Scindia Museum was built in honor of Jivaji Rao Scindia. Located inside the Jaivillas Palace, as many as 35 rooms have been dedicated to house artifacts and other ancient works of craftsmanship here. You will find sculptures, coins, weapons, and paintings in the exhibition rooms that depict the rich history of Gwalior, and in particular, the Scindia Dynasty.

Scindia Museum

Address: Jaivilas Palace, Lashkar, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474009

Website: Scindia Museum

14. Gwalior Zoo

Best for: Families with kids, school field trips, couples, solo travelers

Gwalior Zoo is the perfect getaway for a fun-filled family tour. You will get to see the fabled white tiger here which is definitely worth a visit. Apart from other wild animals, Gwalior Zoo is also popular for Phool Bagh, which was commissioned by Madha Rao Scindia and the inauguration was done by none other than the Price of Wales in the year 1922.

Gwalior Zoo

Address: Italian Garden Rd, Lashkar, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474007

Website: Gwalior Zoo

15. Gujari Mahal

Best for: History enthusiasts

Gurjari Mahal is a state-owned archaeological museum that was yet again, built by Man Singh Tomar in the 15th century. Legend has it that Mrignayani, wife of Man Singh, was the most beautiful woman in the country. Gurjari Mahal, now in ruins, was built in her honor as a symbol of his undying love for her. You will find a number of sculptures, paintings, and statues that date back to 1st and 2nd-century AD.

Gujari Mahal

Address: Lohamandi, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474008

Website: Gujari Mahal

16. Tomb of Ghaus Mohammed

Best for: Architecture buffs, history enthusiasts, pilgrims

Ghaus Mohammed was a royal prince who was born in the 16th century. Instead of becoming a warrior like his predecessors, he chose to become a Sufi. His tomb was built in the 16th century in the small town of Hazira. The charm of the tomb is such that it has become a famous pilgrimage for both Hindus and Muslims. It’s one of the finest examples of Mughal-era architecture.

Tomb of Ghaus Mohammed

Address: 27 B, Tansen Rd, Tansen Nagar, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474002

17. Sarod Ghar

Best for: Music lovers, culture enthusiasts, couples, families, solo travelers

Sarod Ghar is yet another museum, however, it specifically houses ancient musical instruments and other works of legendary musical maestro, Ustad Hafiz Ali Khan. It also features some unique instruments that were custom-made. There are a number of photographs and documents that tell the musical journey of Gwalior in those days exhibited here.

Sarod Ghar

Address: Shekh Ki Bagiya, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474010

Website: Sarod Ghar

Celebrate Gwalior

Named Gopgiri in ancient times, Gwalior is still one of the most important historical and cultural pillars of Central India. The city is the spiritual core of Madhya Pradesh and a promising destination for the curious and adventurous.