A day in Gwalior: 5 stunning architectural marvels to visit

Gwalior is known for its majestic architectural marvels that narrate tales of royal grandeur, cultural combination, and centuries of history. Gwalior has a lot to offer, from the city’s crown jewel, the Gwalior Fort, to exquisite monuments like Man Mandir Palace to unique temples such as Teli ka Mandir. Let’s look at some architectural gems in Gwalior that one can visit in a day and get a glimpse into the city’s glorious past.

A 6th-century fort located in Gwalior, which was called the "pearl amongst the fortresses of Hind" by Mughal Emperor Babur. This ancient fort is located on the Gopachal Hill, which also offers a great panoramic view of the city. The fort complex consists of multiple gates, palaces, temples, and water bodies. The architectural style of this fort is a blend of Hindu and Muslim architecture, which depicts centuries of history with inscriptions, murals, and carvings. Tourists must also witness the light and sound show here, which depicts history with mesmerising colours and the legendary voices of Bollywood actors Shri Amitabh Bachchan and Shri Kabir Bedi.

This palace was built in the 15th century by Raja Man Singh Tomar and is located within the Gwalior Fort. This palace is famous for its vibrant blue tiled walls and elaborate balconies that are the perfect blend of Mughal and Rajput architectural styles. Here, tourists can look at the large central hall, which is surrounded by arched corridors and carved pillars that are beautiful. The walls and ceilings are simply mesmerising, with colourful paintings depicting Hindu mythological scenes. It is considered one of the finest examples of medieval architecture in India, representing royal grandeur and artistic excellence.

A Hindu temple located within the Gwalior Fort in Madhya Pradesh. This temple is dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, and Matrikas, and it is dated between the early 8th and early 9th century CE. This is quite a unique Hindu temple, as the majority of Hindu temples have a square sanctum, while this temple has a rectangular sanctum. It is an architectural marvel with elements of the Nagara style and the Valabhi prasada. The temple is based on a Gurjara Pratihara-Gopgiri style of North Indian architecture. This temple is considered an example of a design based on musical harmonics and was called a masterpiece of late Gupta-era art by Hermann Goetz.

Located near the Gwalior Fort, the Saas-Bahu temples are twin Hindu temples dedicated to Vishnu and Shiva. These temples were mostly in ruins as they were badly damaged during invasions. They were built between 1090–1093 by King Mahipala of the Kachchhapaghata dynasty. The larger one (Saas) was constructed for his wife, and the smaller one (Bahu) was constructed for his daughter-in-law. It used to be a three-storeyed building, which was its most unique feature. Built in red sandstone, they exhibit a blend of architectural styles, including Bhumija and Nagara. The walls are intricately carved with Krishna-leela scenes inside, while the outer side narrates legends from other Hindu texts.

This beautiful palace was constructed by Raja Man Singh Tomar for his queen Mrignayani and is situated inside the complex of Gwalior Fort. The palace has been converted into an archaeological museum. Rare artifacts at the museum include Hindu and Jain sculptures dated to the 1st and 2nd centuries BCE, a miniature statue of Salabhanjika, and terracotta items. This palace-turned-museum depicts the region’s rich cultural heritage.