Behind the wheel & Contributor

Vinod Kumar...know more about me

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Gwalior

Distance - 355kms (Yamuna expressway route)

Time - 6.5 hrs

Stay - Clarks Inn Suites (online booking)

The drive from Delhi to Agra was a breeze on the Yamuna exressway, but after Dholpur the traffic was much high, crazy traffic, two wheelers and cars and not to forget the cattle on roads. Stay at Clarks was good. The dinner was good, and more appreciable was the breakfast. The staff always had a wonderful smile and wished you each time they walked past. Rooms are small, but neat. There is parking in front of the hotel as well as behind. It is located just next to the Dindayal city mall. Infront we have to zoo, and the fort and palace are also nearby.



The next day morning we drive to see the Gwalior fort. The fort dates back to 8th century, and the imposing fact is that it stands on a solitary rock called Gopachal.. The Tomars, Marathas, Scindias ruled the place. The fort is spread in an area of 3km and is built at a height of 35 feet. There are two gates to enter the fort. One of them is Hathi Pol or elephant gate and other one is Badalgarh gate. Elephant gate is the main entrance to the fort. The most imposive temple to see is the Siddhachal jain temple caves of around the 8th to 14th century. There are 32 Jain temples in the fort out of which eleven are dedicated to the Jain Tirthankaras.

The entry


Only one side traffic is open at a time, so if there is an opposite traffic coming in we have to wait at the gate. These are some of the carvings we see during our drive up...







Timings of the sound and light show


To see are Man Mandir Palace, Teli ka Mandir, Saas Bahu temple, Gurudwara Data bandi chod and the Scindia school. Gurudwara Data Bandi Chhod is a memorial constructed in th the memory of Guru Har Gobind Sahib, the 6 Sikh Guru. History states that Guru Hargobind Sahib was imprisoned in the premises by Jahangir for over two years. During the time of release of the Guru, he also wanted 52 Hindu kings, who were his fellow prisoners, to be released. The Gurudwara was constructed inside the fort in 1970. Made up of marble and colourful stained glass exteriors, the Gurudwara is very beautiful



The Sas Bahu Temple
King Mahipal of Kachchhapaghata dynasty built Sas Bahu temple also known as Sahastrabahu temple. The area covered by the temple is 32m x 22m. Devotees can enter the temple through three gates located in three different directions. The main deities who are worshipped here are Brahma, Vishnu, and Saraswati and their idols are located above the entrance door. The views from the temple are awesome.





















Our next visit was The Jaivilas Palace. The palace was built by Maharaja Jataji Rao Scindia to commemorate the visit the Palace of Wales in 1876. In 1964 the present west wing was converted to a museum. The rare artifacts of crystal fountain, silver carriage, silver train, Malabar furniture, are some of the rare artifacts on display. A visit through the palace:-



































Puja room


Crystal furniture room


Maharani Gajra Raje's drawing room




persian carpet










Crystal fountain








Darbar Palace












Surya Mandir, or Sun Temple was constructed in 1988 by G.D Birla, the famous industrialist of India, it is influenced by the famous Sun Temple at Konark in Orissa. The main attraction here is the beautiful sculpture of Lord Surya in the temple.

The entry