Gwailor Fort Travel Information
Gwalior Fort Description:
Perched atop a sandstone hilltop, Gwalior Fort has guarded the city of Gwalior since the 8th century some 300 feet above the city proper.
A massive structure spanning more than a square mile, Gwalior Fort houses dozens of smaller structures including water tanks, temples, shrines, monuments, and multiple palaces sheltered by thick, sandstone walls painted with bright blue accents.
For travelers on luxury tours in India, Gwalior Fort is a chance to travel back through the centuries with each step. The fort has changed ownership numerous times through the ages from its beginnings with the Pal Dynasty, to the Mughals, and finally to the British. Over the years many of the fort’s stewards left new structures to mark their triumphs over previous owners, and solidify their control.
The Man Mandir Palace is a grand, imperial style structure with multiple levels, open courtyards, and decorative tiles and friezes. The palace served as a home for rulers, and was eventually used as a prison by the conquering Mughals.
Below Gwalior Fort carved directly into the sandstone bedrock, a series of Jain carvings watches the southern path leading up the hill. These carvings, the tallest over 50 feet high, were excavated between the 7th and 14th centuries.
With dozens of smaller sights including tombs, temples, and stone carvings, Gwalior Fort is a must for any India luxury tour.
Best Time to Visit Gwalior Fort:
Gwalior Fort is a year-round destination with rains in July and August. The best weather is October through March.
Music lovers might relish the chance to experience the four day music festival Tansen Samaroh in December. Held since the 1930s, the festival is a treat of sights and sounds that will make any luxury tour in India unforgettable.
How to get to Gwalior Fort:
Located just above the town of Gwalior, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh, Gwalior Fort rises from a hill on the Western side of the city.
Gwalior city is accessible by luxury vehicle with about a two hour drive from Agra, or using the express train between the two cities.
Gwalior Fort Highlights:
Lovers of art, architecture, music, and history will find a wealth of things to explore and experience in Gwalior Fort during their tours of India.
Appropriate Attire :
While Gwalior Fort is a mixed bag of structures created through the centuries, many of the buildings shrouded by the sandstone walls are temples and tombs. Visitors on tours in India should take care to cover their shoulders, arms, and legs as a sign of respect when visiting Gwalior Fort.
