The region around Gwalior is a microcosm of Indian history. Over the last thousand years, every dynasty of note – from the Pratiharas to the Tomars, from the Bundelas to the Scindias – have left their mark on the space. As a result, the area is dotted with stunning architectural heritage.
Gwalior Fort: One of the mightiest forts of India, a bastion that is nearly a millennium old, with magnificent palaces, temples, an elegant stepwell and more. A place that is home to the second-oldest mention of the number ‘Zero’- part of a description within a temple. Ancient Jain rock cut iconography depicting almost the entire pantheon of revered Jain Tirthankaras.
Explore the grandeur of the Gwalior fort.
Click here to know more.
Gwalior City:A Scindia palace that is representative of a period in Indian history where princely states held sway. A feel of a wonderful old city, with shopping and culinary experiences that are unique to it. A walk-through of the Gujari Mahal museum, which is a showcase of ancient artifacts inside a medieval palace.
To know more about tourist destinations to visit in Gwalior,
click here.
The temples of Morena: In a district which once had a violent past, trail participants will be able to discover ancient temples in rural area. Temples such as the Ekateshwara Mahadeo in Mitaoli – some believe this to be the prototype of the old Indian Parliament design, the excavated temple complex at Bateshwar, the elegant carvings of the temple at Padhawali and the massive 150 foot high Kakanmath. Each a masterpiece of design showing a wealth of temple building traditions of ancient India. And close by will be the Chambal River.
For more details about Mitaoli, Padavali & Bateshwar, read this
blog.
The heritage of Shivpuri: Participants in the trail will go where the Scindia dynasty used to hunt and what later became a national park. They will visit the George Castle, built for a British Prince inside the
Madhav National Park and will also see the graceful chhatries (memorial cenotaphs, akin to shrines).
To know more about Shivpuri,
read this article.
The legend of Tansen: Gwalior is where the legendary singer of Akbar’s court, Tansen, came from. We visit the tomb of Tansen’s spiritual master, Mohammad Ghaus, known for its stunning ‘jaali-work’ design. In an interesting continuation of the master-student tradition, Tansen lies buried in a much smaller tomb in the same complex, a disciple at the feet of his master.
To know more about the legend of Tansen,
click here.
Every year in the month of December, the Tansen Music Festival ( Tansen Samaroh ) is celebrated in the Gwalior district, Madhya Pradesh. It is a 5-day musical extravaganza, where artists and music lovers from all over the world gather to pay tribute to the Great Indian Musical Maestro Tansen.
To know more about the Tansen Music Festival,
click here.
For a heritage enthusiast, it is a never-before opportunity to see and explore this little-visited part of Madhya Pradesh. Join this trail and plunge into the Chambal region!
For accommodation options, explore
this article.
This includes expenses pertaining to stay at Gwalior and all travel from there for the purpose of the trail as well as all meals as part of the group. This does not include people coming from various parts of the country to Gwalior nor their personal expenses. Cost for the trail is
INR 40000 plus relevant taxes
per person.
