JOURNEY TO THE HEART OF INDIA

Today early morning we start towards Panna and go for jeep safari and a nature walk along with a naturalist.

Today we see the Western group of temples. This group houses the most important temples in Khajuraho. Set in a parkland landscape with mowed grass, rose flower beds and ornamental trees the Western Temple Complex is a major tourist attraction.

Post breakfast we start our Gwalior sightseeing tour.

We visit;

Surya Mandir: Located near the Residency at Morar, the newly constructed Sun Temple takes its inspiration from the famous Konark Sun Temple in Orissa.

Tomb of Mohammad Ghaus & Tansen: The father of Hindustani classical music, the great Tansen, one of the ‘nine Jewels’ of Akbar’s court, lies buried in Gwalior. The memorial to this great musician has a pristine simplicity about it, and is built in the early Mughal architectural style. More than a monument, the Tansen’s Tomb is part of Gwalior’s living cultural heritage. More opulent than Tansen’s Tomb, is the sandstone mausoleum of the Afghan prince, Ghous Mohammed, also designed on early Mughal lines. Particularly, exquisite are the screens which use the pierced stone technique, as delicate as lace.

Gwalior Fort: Standing on a steep mass of sandstone, Gwalior Fort dominates the city and is its most magnificent monument. It has been a scene of momentous events: imprisonments, battles and jauhars. A steep road winds upwards to the Fort, flanked by statues of Jain tirthankaras, carved into the rock face. The magnificent outer walls of the Fort still stand, two miles in length and 35 feet high, bearing witness to its reputation for being one of the most invincible forts of India. This imposing structure inspired Emperor Babar to describe it ”the pearl amongst the fortresses of Hind.” Within the fort are some marvels of medieval architecture. The 15^th century Gujari Mahal is a monument to the love of Raja Mansingh Tomar for his Gujar queen, Mrignayani. After he had wooed and won her, so the story goes, Mrignayani demanded that he build her a separate palace with a constant water supply from the River Rai, via an aqueduct. The outer structure of the Gujari Mahal has survived in an almost total state of preservation; the interior has been converted into an Archaeological Museum.

Gujari Mahal: The Gujari Mahal Archaeological Museum houses rare antiquities, some of them dating back to the 1st century CE. Even though many of these have been defaced by the Mughals, their perfection of form has survived the ravages of time. Particularly worth seeing is the statue of Shalbhanjika from Gyraspur, the tree goddess, epitome of perfection in miniature.

Man Mandir Palace: During the reign of Man Singh, the Tomar king, Gwalior saw a flowering of Indian classical music and art. The exquisite ’Man Mandir’, Palace of Dreams, was built in his time and so began the most romantic epoch of the Gwalior Fort. Man Singh, a popular and just ruler, married a courageous Gujari village belle, Mrignayani. The tiles that once adorned the palace exterior have not survived, but at the entrance, traces of these still remain. There is a charming frieze here of ducks paddling in turquoise waters. Within, the palace rooms stand bare, stripped of their former glory, mute testimony to the passing of the centuries. Vast chambers with fine stone screens were once the music halls, and behind these screens, the royal ladies would learn music from the great masters of the day. Below, circular dungeons once housed the state prisoners of the Mughals. The Emperor Aurangzeb had his brother, Murad, imprisoned, and later executed, here.

Teli Ka Mandir & Sas Bahu Temple: The Teli ka Mandir is a 9^th century edifice, towering at 100 ft high. This is a Pratihara Vishnu temple of a unique blending of architectural styles. The shape of the roof is distinctively Dravidian, while the decorative embellishments have the typically Indo-Aryan characteristics of Northern India. Also dedicated to Vishnu is the graceful little Sas-Bahu-ka-Mandir, built in 11^th century.

Suraj Kund: Older than the city is the Suraj Kund within the Fort walls, the original pond where Suraj Sen, or Suraj Pal as he was later known, was cured by the Saint Gwalipa.

In the evening we enjoy the “Sound & Light Show” at the fort. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Gwalior.

Post breakfast we start our sightseeing trip and visit Jahangir Mahal, Raj Mahal, Rai Parveen Mahal, Chaturbhuj Temple, Laxminarayan Temple,Phool Bagh, Sunder Mahal, Chhatris (Cenotaphs) and Ram Raja Temple. We can see the “Sound & Light Show” at Orchha Fort.

Post breakfast we travel to Jhansi. The fort was built by Raja Bir Singh Deo in 1613 on the hill known as Bangara. Later we move to Gwalior

Post breakfast we start our Gwalior sightseeing tour We visit Surya Mandir,Tomb of Mohammad Ghaus & Tansen, Gwalior Fort, Gujari Mahal, Man Mandir Palace, Teli Ka Mandir & Sas Bahu Temple and Suraj Kund

In the evening we enjoy the “Sound & Light Show” at the fort.

Early breakfast and drive to Gwalior Airport for your flight back home.