Gwalior
The ancient city of Gwalior is steeped in its past splendor. A multitude of reigning dynasties have left imprints of their rule in this city of palaces, temples and monuments. Jai Vilas Palace is close to the heart of the city; it was patterned on the Palace of Versailles, combining Tuscan, Italian and Corinthian styles of architecture. Gopachal Parvat is situated on the mountainous terrain at the slopes of Gwalior Fort. It is most famous for its unique statues of Jain Tirthankaras. The idol of Lord Parshvanath seated on a lotus (carved out of a single stone) is the largest in the world, towering at 47 feet tall and 30 wide. There is also a series of 26 Jain statues placed in a single line. Built between 1398 and 1536 by Tomar kings, these Jain Tirthankar statues are one of a kind in architecture, and a treasure trove of old Indian heritage and culture. In addition to these monuments, Gwalior is home to Maharaj Bada, the biggest and most important market of Gwalior. Seven ancient buildings constructed in different styles of architecture (Italian, Russian, Mughal, Rajputi, Chinese, etc.) can be viewed here.
