Jai Vilas Palace – It Is The Land Mark And Important Destinations Of Gwalior

JAI VILAS PALACE

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GWALIOR

Jai Vilas Palace is one of the important heritage attractions of Gwalior city and was rated among well maintained palaces of Madhya Pradesh state. It is just close to another popular Usha Kiran Palace. It is not in the Gwalior fort campus which is north of Jai Vilas Palace.

It also have a museums where we can see the glimpse of royal splendor, life-style, art and culture during scindia dynasty rule. Museum is part of palace in which 25 rooms have been allocated for Jivaji Rao Scindia Museum. It is open from visitors from 10:00hrs till 17:00hrs and Closed on Every Wednesday.

It’s the signature of the imperialism of Gwalior, the plush residential palace of scindias where currently Scindia family resides and one of its part turned into museum called Jiwaji Rao Scindia Museum. It is in the heart of the city and close from railway station and bus stand.

The palace was built in 1809 AD by Jiwaji Rao Scindia, and designed by Lt. Col. Sir Michael Filose, the palace is still occupied by the current successors of the royal family, and the construction of the palace was as an attempt to bring the palace of Versailles to Gwalior.

The area of the Jai Vilas Palace is 1240771 square feet and it is particularly famous for its large Durbar Hall. The interior of the Durbar Hall is decorated with gilt and gold furnishings and adorned with a huge carpet and gigantic chandeliers. It is 100 feet long, 50 feet wide and 41 feet in height.

The architecture of the palace is a mix of British-Italian and Indian constructive style, which reflects an inspiration and architectural idioms of Tuscany and Coithian styles.

There are 35 rooms which have turned to a museum, the first part of the museum has a wide collection of old-arms, and the most attractive part is to see the original Dhal (Shield) of the Jhansi ki Rani, on the ground floor the antiquity of the royal time yet very modern the ‘Silver Serving Train’ with cut glass carriages, which served the royal food to the royal guests on the dining table along with wine and cigars, the chairs back-rest has the royal crest of Gwalior.

Special tours can be organized for visitors and tourists groups after normal museum hours in the evening 5pm onwards. Tourists can be experience the culture and heritage of the region through music and dance performance organized along with dinner or high tea on the palace lawns. The visitors are hosted to an exquisite experience with unmatched hospitality.

By Air

The city Gwalior has its own Airport which is only 08 km away to the heart of the city.Many air travel agencies fly their flights from Gwalior to Delhi, Agra, Indore, Bhopal, Mumbai. Delhi International airport, which is nearly 321 km from Gwalior, is the main connecting airport for international travelers. Jai Vilas Palace is in South-West to Gwalior airport. 

By Train

Nearest railway station to visit Jai Vilas Palace is Gwalior junction which is in North-East direction from palace and South of Gwalior fort. Palace is just 2kms from railway station. It is close to Gwalior Junction railway station.

By Bus

Jai Vilas Palace is inside Gwalior city so can be reached by road from any place in city or from nearby tourist destinations like Agra, Delhi, Orchha, Shivpuri, Chambal Wildlife Sanctuary, Chanderi etc. Gwalior City bus stand is close to railway station in eastern direction where hotels like Tansen Residency, Regency etc are close to it. Bus stand is about 3kms from palace.

Maheswar Fort – It Was Built By Akbar In 1601 As He Was Mughal Emperor

MAHESWAR FORT

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KHARGONE

Maheswar or Ahilya fort is situated in the metropolitian city of Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh State of India. The history of Maheshwar dates back to more than 4000 years back. The city also finds a mention in Mahabharta and Ramayana as well but the name of the city in these epics is 'Mahishmati'.

Akbar built the fort after he came into power in the year 1601. In the late eighteenth century, Maharani Ahilya Bai took over as the queen of Holkar Dynasty.

This place is associated with several myths and was known as Mahishmati in ancient times. Now it is known with the name ‘Maheshwar’ which is derived from God of Gods ‘Mahesh’ which is a name of Lord Shiva. The word Maheshwar is means in Hind “abode of Lord Mahesh”.

She transformed this riverside city into a peaceful and prosperous land when the rest of India was facing an uneasy time. She built many temples and buildings that still lend the city the aura of times of yore. The Ghats of the city, named after the dynasties like Peshwa Ghat, Fanase Ghat, Ahilya Ghat are another feature that give Maheshwar a distinctive look. Experience the real life of rural India, moving past you at a leisurely pace.

The Fort is the most visited attraction in the city. The magnificent fort houses an archaeological museum that displays antiques and different possessions of Holkar Dynasty. The main attraction of the fort is the life-size statue of Rani Ahilyabai seated of the throne. The festival of Dusshera is special in the fort as procession carrying a small shrine is taken down the fort for public viewing.

This sprawling Fort now has turned into a luxurious 4 star hotel with very few luxury rooms for tourists who are coming to visit Maheshwar and its adjoining tourist attractions like Mandu, Omkareshwar, Indore, Ujjain etc.

By Air

Nearest airport is Indore (91 km), connected with Bombay, Delhi, Bhopal and Gwalior.

By Rail

Nearest Railway stations are Barwaha (39 km), Khandwa (110 km), Indore (91 km) and Mhow on the Western Railway.

By Road

Regular buses are available from Barwaha, Khandwa, Dhar and Dhamnod