Gwalior is a historic city nestled in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Popularly known because of the hilltop fort, Gwalior is full of palaces and spectacular temples, giving this city a majestic charm that speaks volumes of its rich legacy. This historic city, founded by king Surajesan, was home to India's most eminent royalty once resided.
Best time to visit Gwalior
The ideal time to visit is from September to February.
Most spoken language(s) in Gwalior
Hindi
How to reach Gwalior
Flights to Gwalior: The Gwalior airport is one of the six prime airports and the 4th largest in Madhya Pradesh. IndiGo operates daily non-stop flights from Gwalior to Indore, Delhi and various connecting cities.
By bus: Gwalior is located on the North-South Corridor of the National Highway. NH3, NH75 and NH92 connect Gwalior to the major cities in the country. You can hire a taxi from the capital city or travel in the buses that ply from cities around Gwalior.
By train: Gwalior is connected to all the major cities across India by regular trains. You can easily find autorickshaws and taxis outside the railway station to travel anywhere in the city.
Local transport in Gwalior/getting around in Gwalior: Gwalior has a highly efficient public/local transport system and travelling in the city can be easily facilitated by buses and auto-rickshaws. Tourists can also book cabs to cover all sightseeing spots.
Gwalior Fort, nestled on top of a hill, finds its place among the most popular fortresses of India. It is also considered to be one of the most unpassable forts in the country. Known for its splendid architecture and rich historical past, Gwalior Fort is a must-visit spot when visiting Central India.
This magnificent palace built by Jayajirao Scindia offers a sneak peek into the opulent lifestyle of the royal family. With 35 rooms converted to a museum, it is one of the best places to witness rare and impressive art pieces. It has the largest carpet in the world, which took almost 12 years to weave, and the two most magnificent chandeliers in the world weighing close to 3.5 tonnes.
This remarkable 11th-century temple complex is located right inside the fort, with the more significant temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and the smaller one to Lord Shiva. These ornately carved twin temples in sandstone are an exquisite example of exceptional architectural beauty. The detailing and craftsmanship of the tower, pillars, and dome will surely leave you mesmerised.
The Gujari Mahal is now converted into an archaeological museum displaying a spectacular collection of artefacts and sculptures. Mythological man-lion figures guard the impressive entrance, and the museum boasts the Indian Mona Lisa in stone, Shalabhanjika.
Inspired by the ancient Sun Temple, Konark, this captivating architectural marvel boasts one of the most famous statues of the sun god, which illuminates by the sun's rays from any one of the four sides. The bright red sandstone exteriors beautifully contrast with the sparkling white marble interiors to make this a must-see site in Gwalior.
The cuisine of Gwalior is similar to its architecture, heritage and culture-- rich and colourful. Gwalior is famous for its vegetarian food options, and one finds numerous options here. This area is known for its sumptuous breakfast comprising kachoris, Samosas, Poha and bedai. In addition to these, also try the kebabs, bhutte ki kees, Dal Bafla, Jalebi, Imarti, Rogan josh, mawa-bati and Malpua, as well as traditional sweets such as the Morena Gajak.
Tansen, one of the greatest Indian musicians, was born in Gwalior, and the tomb of Tansen is also an important spot here. Every year, in November/December, a four-day Tansen Music festival is celebrated in the city where various renowned classical musicians from all over the globe perform on the stage.