A first-time visitor’s complete guide to the best places to visit in Gwalior

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Synopsis

If there is any one destination in the central part of the country that is popular among travellers not only from different parts of the country but all major parts of the world, it is Gwalior in the state of Madhya Pradesh. As far as the places to visit in Gwalior is concerned, the city is home to enough places that are loved by travellers from all parts. One of the best thing about the tourist attractions in Gwalior and the tourist places near Gwalior is the fact that most of them, apart from being great places for travellers, also prove to be picnic spots near Gwalior. Gwalior is a kind of destination which is liked by travellers of all ages and can be visited with any kind of company, be it as a couple, as a group of friends, as a family or any other form. The best season or months to visit places in Gwalior are February, March, October, November, and December as the weather proves to be the most suitable around these times. Local attractions can be visited at any time of the day, be it early morning, afternoon, evening or night, as suitable for travellers.

Some of the most popular points of interest in Gwalior include the Gwalior Fort, Tomb of Ghaus Mohammed, Jai Vilas Palace, Scindia Museum, Madhav National Park, Sun Temple, and Chhatris of Scindia Dynasty among many other places. The biggest tourist attraction in the city of Gwalior, the Gwalior Fort is perched high at the top of a vast rocky massif and is visible from almost every part of the city. Considered as one of the most impregnable fortresses in central India, the Gwalior Fort was once referred to as 'the pearl amongst fortresses in India' by Mughal Emperor Babur. The imposing fort, which is visible from all parts of the city, was built way back in the 15th century by Raja Man Singh Tomar. Located at a distance of not more than two kilometres from the city centre of Gwalior, the Tomb of Ghaus Mohammed is the tomb of a once-famous prince-turned-sufi belonging to the period way back in the 16th century. Something that makes this mausoleum such a big tourist attraction in the city of Gwalior is the magnificent Mughal architecture that it exhibits. After Gwalior Fort, the Jai Vilas Palace is the most popular tourist attraction in the city of Gwalior. Also known as the Jai Vilas Mahal, this beautiful palace with a white facade, was originally built in the 19th century. Now turned into an amazing museum, the Jai Vilas Palace was originally designed as a royal palace by a famous architect of that time, Sir Michael Filose and cost about one crore to build it even at that time. The Jai Vilas Palace is spread across a massive area of more than 12 lakh square feet and boasts of amazing features including a huge Durbar Hall, which is beautifully designed with the world's heaviest chandeliers, intricate gold furnishings, and a large plush carpet.

One of the most prominent museums in the entire state of Madhya Pradesh, the Scindia Museum is famous among not only the local residents but travellers from all parts of the country and the world. The museum is dedicated to Jivaji Rao Scindia and occupies the space of about 35 rooms of the Jai Vilas Palace. Opened as a national park in the year 1959, the Madhav National Park is a well known wildlife reserve which is spread across an area of 337 square kilometres and is one of the most prominent wildlife sanctuaries in India. Spread across the beautiful Vindhya mountain ranges, the Madhav National Park is home to numerous lakes, Sakhya Sagar Lake being one of the more prominent ones, where maximum wildlife sightings are reported.