Gwalior - 29th, 30th Nov

29th November 2007 (Thursday)– GwaliorJust near Morena on the way to Gwalior from Agra ....there are the undulations that are a facsimile of the Chambal ravines … they were not extensive in this region which was a very big disappointment to us … we were looking forward to seeing the ravines in all their austere beauty …I guess the ravines are not along the highway …

Gwalior fort is beautiful.. there is the Man Mandir palace inside with sunlight reaching the underground about a 100 ft below the surface …. Very scientifically built …... there are very striking carvings .. very very symmetrical [ On a side note – for carvings/sculptures the Belur Halebidu temples in Karnataka are simply marvelous ] We got a bad guide unfortunately who was more interested than we were in taking snaps ….. we were keen on learning more abt the fort and he was telling us the best points to take the snaps from … The carving in the Sas-Bahu temple are also very intricate and beautiful .. we got a bird’s view of Gwalior too from this point … cannot believe it is so large ! :) Certainly Gwalior is less dusty than Faridabad … Moved on to Teli-ka-Mandir as well as Suraj Kund (6th century)…

Once inside the Gwalior Fort area – one can see the fort itself , Sas Bahu temples, Teli ka Mandir , Suraj Kund, Gujari Mahal and its archaelogical museum plus sculptures by the Jain Tirthankars on the way to the fort .. some of them so old it is unbelievable they are still intact … amazing …. :)

30th November 2007 (Friday)– Gwalior

We first visited Sun Temple here which is supposed to be a replica of the famous Konark Mandir in Orissa. It is known as Sur Mandir in Gwalior – it closes at Sunset ….. very clean gardens although one is not allowed to go anywhere near other than to the temple …
Went to the Tomb of Mohammad Ghaus – nobody seems to understand the historical importance of that place … it is a mosque in use currently and we find ppl staring at the tourists when they take snaps of the lacy screen work in stone ! :):) The work is very delicate and ethereal. Nearby is Tansen’s tomb – austere with plenty of squirrels !! We had a tough time finding this place – nobody seems to know the tomb ( I guess it is known as a mosque ) We asked first for the place Hajira and then for Tansen’s tomb …. And there is no place for parking either !! :) Still it was worth the trouble we took for find the place.

Lastly went to the Scindia Museum – lost of snaps of the marriage of Madhav Rao Scindia .. some old sculptures .. (quite a few of them damaged unfortunately) part of the museum is currently under renovation … so did not have that much to see.