Shivpuri Attractions - Tourist Places To Visit In Shivpuri

Madhav Vilas Palace, colloquially known as the “Palace” amidst the locals, is grandeur personified. Beautiful turrets, numerous terraces and immaculate marble floors make the palace truly resplendent even by today’s standards. The exterior of the palace has a dusty-rose colour that sets the palace apart from its surrounding.

The colonial architecture of the palace makes it more relatable than palaces from earlier eras. The palace was in its heyday, the summer palace of the Scindias. The views that the turrets and terraces offered since then have not changed, thanks to the preservation of the Madhav National Park.

The image of the women of the royal household on the terraces, awaiting the Prince’s return after a long day of hunting is but a paintbrush away. The palace is today the training centre for the Intelligence Bureau of the Government of India, a far less romanticized use of the once summer palace of the royals.

Chhatris or cenotaph is an empty tomb dedicated to the memory of a person whose remains lie elsewhere. Cenotaphs, notwithstanding the recent cenotaphs erected as war memorials, are not a modern phenomenon. Derived from a Greek word, cenotaphs have been erected since the beginning of recorded history as a means of honouring the deceased.

The Chhatris in Shivpuri are dedicated to members of the royal Scindia clan. The Chhatris are notable not only for their history but also for their art and architecture. The Shivpuri Chhatris are marble structures etched with immaculate art, protected and cherished over the years.

The Chhatris in the setting of a large manicured Mughal garden, on either side of a lake, make them seem larger than life and a dedication befitting the statuses of the Scindia royal family. The Chhatris are specifically dedicated to Madhav Rao Scindia and his erstwhile widow Maharani Sakhya Raje Scindia.

Panihar, a sacred bathing area for Hindus is en route to Shivpuri from Gwalior. Located 20 km outside of Gwalior, locals and pilgrims from all over India convene at the bathing ghat in Panihar to take a dip in the holy waters. The bathing ritual according to Hindu customs, does not only wash the grime and grit from the exterior but is a soul cleansing act.

As in many cultures across the world, the cleansing ritual is a means to reconnect to the higher power and refresh the soul. Along with the spiritual cleansing, most pilgrims and tourists embark on a journey from Panihar towards Pachrai, Sri Shantinath Digambar Jain Athishaya Kshetra and Sri Pachrai Teerth.

The journey can not only be spiritually satiating but also offer scrumptuous meals. The regional cuisine is well known for its sweet dishes. The Sirsod village located on the outskirts of Gwalior is particularly well known for its unique preparation of the sweet “Kheer”.

The Narwar Fort, located just east of the river Kali Sindh, is a remnant of the resplendent past of India. 42 km outside of Shivpuri, the fort is a magnificent reminder of the royal boundaries and the near constant wars for territory expansions. The town is of historical significance and was known as Nalapura till the 12th century.

Raja Nala, after whom the town was named, finds mention in the Epic Mahabharata in relation to Damayanti and their love saga. The Narwar Fort sits atop a hill at an elevation of 500 ft above sea level. Spread over 8 sq km, the fort is expansive and speaks of an affluent past and a strong Kingdom.

Although time and nature have had their say over the fort, the architecture and the sheer length of the fort are astounding. The Rajput influence in the architecture of the fort is evident in the flat ceilings and the fluted columns.

Pawa Waterfalls is an addition to the abundant waterfalls in and around Shivpuri in Madhya Pradesh. While Sultan Garh Falls and Bhoora Khon Waterfalls each have a charm of their own, Pawa Waterfalls is a unique vacation spot that is religious and recreational. Located in the town of Pohri, 40 km away from Shivpuri, the cascading waters make it hard to turn away from the spectacular sight.

The gushing water of the Pawa Waterfalls falls into the Pawa Kund which is an astonishing 500 ft deep. Skilled divers find that the Pawa Kund is a pleasure to scuba dive or even snorkel in. The equipment for snorkeling and scuba diving unfortunately is not available to rent on location.

A breath-taking statue of Lord Shiva adds religious fervour to the waterfalls. The temple is sacred to many Hindus who believe in the miracles that Lord Shiva performs. With the rolling hills surrounding the waterfall, the lush greenery and the benevolent idol, inner peace is but a visit away.

Madhav National Park is the forest area that in the pages of history was famous as hunting grounds right from Akbar’s reign to the Colonial rule in India. Akbar is rumored to have captured an entire herd of elephants for his stables from the forest. Spread over a total area of 354 sq km with rolling hills and flat grasslands around the lake, the Madhav National Park is a wild life enthusiasts's dream come true.

The bio-diversity is second to none, offering glimpses into wildlife relatively unadulterated by human interference. George Castle is a beautiful retreat built by the Scindia King Jivaji Rao Scindia within the national park.

The colonial architecture makes for a charming structure from the pre-independence period. The sunset views from the castle are rumoured to be stunning and is not to be missed. The Sakhya Sagar boat club gives adventurous tourists a chance to get up close to the crocodiles living in the lake.  

The Jungle Safari in Shivpuri provides an opportunity to encounter nature at its best. Shivpuri is one of the few places that have more preserved natural forests than protected concrete jungle area. The national parks in Shivpuri are truly protected in that they are dense, often nearly impenetrable forests with flora and fauna that make for a large bio-diversity.

For city-weary travellers and tourists, the jungle is as refreshing as an oasis in a desert. The Jungle Safari provides a glimpse into nature that is relatively unpolluted by the selfish ways of mankind. Tourists can explore the wildlife of the area as they go about their life from the safe distance afforded by a covered vehicle.

The ability to see the natural habitats of animals and birds and the serenity of a jungle, of nature that is at peace are the perks of a jungle safari. Seeing wild animals such as deer, herds of Nilagai, Chital and even the occasional sloth bear makes the jungle safari all the more exciting.

Karera Bird Sanctuary is the Holy Grail for avid bird watchers and avian photo enthusiasts. As a protected park, the wildlife within the park has been largely untouched allowing them to flourish. A visit to the sanctuary is not only an opportunity to witness birds but also numerous wild animals in their natural habitat. The sanctuary is home to many endangered species of birds and also to migratory birds.

The Indian bustard is a celebrity resident of the bird sanctuary. A rapidly endangered species, the Karera Bird Sanctuary is one of the few places where the bird lives in its natural habitat. With over 245 recorded species of birds living in the sanctuary, it is no surprise that bird watchers come in from across the world to witness the unique avian world.

The best time to visit the sanctuary when the avian tourists are in residence is between November and March.

Mahua Shiva Temple is a gem from the pages of history as resplendent today as it was when constructed. Mahua, a small nondescript village in Shivpuri has treasures from the 6th and 7th century hidden in plain sight. Mahua village is a part of the ancient area known as Madhumati in the Ranod inscription.

The inscriptions suggest the importance of the area amidst Shaiva Saiddhantika believers. There are a few temples that have survived the sands of time to stand resplendently today as a stark reminder of a long lost history.

The Shiva Mandapika is one of the few monuments that can be assigned to the latter half of the 7th century CE. The temple as it stands today may point to an incomplete construction or an incomplete restoration.

The Shiva temple in Mahua is an exemplary temple from the 7th century dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple reflects the Nagara style of architecture and has carvings depicting the river Goddesses Ganga and Yamuna on either side of the doorway that leads to the sanctum sanctorum.

The Sakhya Sagar Lake and the Madhav Sagar Lakes were created from the Manier river in 1918. The lakes are located near the Madhav National Park. The lakes sustain the bio-diversity of the surrounding forest in the Madhav National Park. They are an important part of the eco-system that has wild animals including birds and reptiles living harmoniously.

The Sakhya Sagar Lake has a boat club called the Sailing Club. The boats give tourists an opportunity to kick back and relax in the tranquil waters of the lake. For photo and wildlife enthusiasts, the lake is everything and more.

Sunsets from a boat on the lake are particularly spectacular with lush forests and a tranquil lake breaking the view. Early mornings give visitors the opportunity to get up close and personal with the monitor lizard, the python and the marsh crocodile, residents of the Sakhya Sagar Lake.

Bhadaiya Kund is one of the few places that live up to the curative powers associated with the natural spring. The tourist village is a Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation venture to provide clean and safe hotels for tourists who visit Madhya Pradesh.

Located 112 km from Gwalior, the tourist village is an ideal stopover for itineraries covering central India. Bhadaiya Kund, a scenic area with a natural spring is not very far from Shivpuri. While picnic areas are a dime a dozen in the rich landscape of Shivpuri, the Bhadaiya Kund has some properties that set it apart from the rest.

The natural spring at Bhadaiya Kund is known to have a high mineral content. Ancient beliefs and many medical spas today use water and clay from natural springs as they are believed to have therapeutic qualities.

The waters of Bhadaiya Kund are also believed to have therapeutic powers. The monsoon season is the best time to visit, when the waters are especially full and a soothing sight to city weary eyes.

Bhoora Khon Waterfall is one of the three waterfalls in Shivpuri that make visiting Shivpuri a soothing, restorative vacation. Water and a peaceful reviving vacation are a combination as natural as bread and butter. There are a number of adjectives that various tourists add to a vacation where a water body has a part to play.

The sound of water has curative and restorative powers that cannot be fully explained but only experienced time and again. Bhoora Khon Waterfall is a beautiful natural waterfall that is serene to say the least. The harmonious sound of water falling from a height of 25 m broken by natural boulders and rocks is a soothing balm to a city-weary soul.

The more adventurous tourists, given the depth of the pool, may even dive in and swim in nature’s lap. The ancient idols of Lord Shiva in small shrines around the waterfall foster the spiritual bent of mind that blooms with the cascading waters of Bhoora Khon Waterfall.

Tatya Tope Memorial is a memorial laid down in commemoration of the long drawn out battle for freedom in India. The colonial history of India is inked with the blood of many selfless martyrs. Ramachandra Pandurang Tope, popularly known as Tatya Tope, a brave freedom fighter and an Indian Maratha leader in the 1857 Uprising lost his life in the battle for Indian Independence.

He is known to have assisted Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi in the capture of Gwalior from the English colonial rulers. Betrayed by Raja of Narwar Man Singh, a trusted friend, the man was captured and executed in Shivpuri on the 18th of April 1859.

Tatya Tope rebelled against the colonial rulers because his father was denied pension he rightfully deserved. Tatya Tope played a crucial role not only in the capture of Gwalior but also by being a leader who fought despite the odds stacked against him. Tatya Tope is remembered as a brave soldier through the memorials at Yeola and Shivpuri where he met his tragic end.

Survaya Ki Garhi validates India’s resplendent past in many ways. As the name Shivpuri suggests, the town is named after Lord Shiva, an Indian deity. Temples from ancient India are a regular sight in and around Shivpuri. With modern developments around the city, it is easy to feel like a tourist in Rome when every turn leads to an ancient relic right alongside modern buildings.

20 km outside of Shivpuri, close to the Shivpuri–Jhansi Road, lies the small town called Survaya Ki Garhi. A serene lake adds to the old world charm of the small town. An ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva is located in the town, making it historically significant.

While the art and architecture of the temple are awe-inspiring, the Garhi is truly a sight to behold. The Garhi is an auditorium completely built out of stone. Echoes of dance recitals and musicals from a time long ago still linger in the auditorium.

Terahi Temple is located in the town of Terahi, historically referred to as Therambhi, a small town located 75 km outside Shivpuri. Terahi’s claim to fame is a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva constructed in the early Pratihara style of architecture. The temple is colloquially known as Mohajamata temple and is quite unremarkable in its size.

Despite being a small temple, the entrance to the temple alone is noteworthy with a beautiful archway, every inch of which is decorated with intricate, remarkable carvings. The sanctum sanctorum is unique because of the idols housed within.

The Goddess Chamundi is depicted in an erotic pose with her male companion within the sanctum sanctorum. There are other idols of dikpalas and vyalas amidst other deities enshrined in the temple. The temple is a red sand stone structure that faces the east.

The temple is enrobed in controversy as the idols within the sanctum sanctorum are believed to be later additions, not a part of the original temple.