Temples in Gwalior
Gwalior's temples span more than a thousand years. On the fort hill stand some of the city's oldest buildings: Teli ka Mandir from the 8th or 9th century, the small rock-cut Chaturbhuj Temple from 876 CE and the carved Sas-Bahu Temples, finished in 1093. In the city below, the Sun Temple in Morar is modern, built in 1988 and modelled on the Sun Temple at Konark.
The fort hill is sacred to other faiths too. Gurdwara Data Bandi Chhor marks the place where the Sikh Guru Hargobind was held prisoner, and Jains still revere the giant figures carved into the cliffs. Dress modestly and follow the rules at each place, as many of them are active places of worship.
On Gwalior Fort
A temple within Gwalior Fort, with its own deity and its own rules.
Famous Temples in Gwalior
Teli ka Mandir is one of the oldest and tallest buildings on Gwalior Fort, dating from the 8th or 9th century. Its tall, barrel-shaped roof is rare in north India and looks more like the temple gateways of the south. It is usually described as a Vishnu temple, although its carvings mix Vishnu, Shiva and goddess imagery.
The Sas-Bahu Temples are a pair of carved temples built between about 1090 and 1093 by King Mahipala of the Kachchhapaghata dynasty. The larger one was dedicated to Vishnu and the smaller one to Shiva, and their pillared halls are covered in fine carving.
Chaturbhuj Temple is a small shrine cut into the rock of the fort hill in 876 CE. An inscription here writes the number 270 with a round zero, one of the oldest known written zeros in India, which is why it is often called the Zero Temple.
The Sun Temple, near the Residency in Morar, was built by the Birla family in 1988. It is modelled on the Sun Temple at Konark and made of red sandstone and white marble.
Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple is a busy Shiva temple in the city, around 300 years old, and it is usually at its most crowded on Mondays and during Mahashivratri.
Tips for Visiting Temples in Gwalior
- Wear modest clothing that covers your shoulders and knees.
- Remove your shoes before entering temple buildings, and carry socks for hot or cold stone floors.
- At Gurdwara Data Bandi Chhor, cover your head and remove your shoes before going in.
- Teli ka Mandir, the Sas-Bahu Temples and Chaturbhuj Temple are all on the fort hill, so see them on the same day as Gwalior Fort.
- Visit the fort temples in the morning, before the stone gets hot.
- Ask before photographing people who are praying, and follow the photography rules at each temple.
- Be respectful at the Jain rock figures, which are still a place of pilgrimage for Jains.
Questions
Gwalior — FAQ
What are the famous temples in Gwalior?
The best-known temples are Teli ka Mandir, the Sas-Bahu Temples and Chaturbhuj Temple on Gwalior Fort, and the Sun Temple and Achaleshwar Mahadev Temple in the city. Gurdwara Data Bandi Chhor on the fort is an important Sikh shrine.
Why is Chaturbhuj Temple called the Zero Temple?
An inscription at the temple, dated 876 CE, records a garden measuring 187 by 270 hastas (an old unit of length), and the 0 in 270 is written as a small circle. It is one of the oldest known written zeros in India.
What is special about Teli ka Mandir?
Teli ka Mandir is one of the oldest and tallest buildings on Gwalior Fort, dating from the 8th or 9th century. Its barrel-shaped roof, more typical of south Indian temple gateways, makes it stand out among the temples of north India.
Can anyone visit Gurdwara Data Bandi Chhor?
Yes. Visitors of all faiths are welcome. Cover your head, remove your shoes and do not carry tobacco or alcohol. The gurdwara marks the place where Guru Hargobind, the sixth Sikh Guru, was held prisoner at Gwalior Fort.