Monday, February 15, 2010

Man Mandir Palace, Gwalior

This magnificent palace in Gwaior inside the Gwalior Fort was built by Raja Man Singh of the Tomar dynasty between 1486 and 1516. The palace can be reached by north eastern fort entrance. Because of the richly tiled and painted decorations with elephants and peacocks, and the exceptional fresco with the ducks paddling in turquoise waters, it is also known as Chit Mandir or Painted Palace.

This palace has four levels, two of them are underground. Six rounded towers crowned with cupolas relieve this 80 feet high structure. The beauty is further enhanced by blue ceramic mosaic and petite trellis work.
It consists of two open courts surrounded by apartments with carved stones, pillars. There are various rooms serving different purpose such as affairs of state, relaxation, decorated ornately with beautiful paintings, different figures of human beings, carved animals and flowers. The walls of these halls were decorated with triangular friezes.Even the ceilings in each room had different designs carved out as below:



This is one of the few architecture marvel in the fort that has withstood the test of time.

55 comments:

Nisha said...

2nd picture is classic !

Tarun Mitra said...

Some how cannot read your full post..but pictures are wonderful :)

Zuzana said...

I love the turquoise details on the first picture. Is that glass or painted?
Beautiful pictures, lovely structures.
xo
Zuzana

Anya said...

Amazing shots :-)
Thanks for sharing this !!!

Rakesh Vanamali said...

Come to think of it, India has some of the finest that the eyes can chance upon!

Kirigalpoththa said...

Majestic !

Unknown said...

What an amazing place, the history is vivid still.

Anonymous said...

another jewel of a relic.

Phivos Nicolaides said...

Lovely pictures from a so interesting monument.

Carver said...

Another great post and as always I'm so amazed by the carvings on these wonderful places you show us. The work is incredible.

Ebie said...

Your part of the world has always interest architecture. Beautiful photos!

Jane Hards Photography said...

Absolutely amazing place.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Rajesh: That is such a wonderful place, what detail on the work.

Sylvia K said...

Another gorgeous, fascinating part of your world, Rajesh! The history, is indeed, vivid still. Terrific post and photos as always! Have a great week!

Sylvia

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

The artistry and craftsmanship of the interiors is stunning.

NatureFootstep said...

at that time they knew how to build. :)

Louise | Italy said...

What an extraordinary place. I would so much like to be able to visit it for myself - your photos are inspirational! Greetings from Italy via MyWorld!

Dirkjogt said...

I always love the architecture in your pictures!

Unknown said...

Exquisite architecture!

marcia@joyismygoal said...

very nice thanks so much for sharing i love seeing all that is in the world that I may never see like this gem

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Gorgeous palace, Rajesh.... Love the architectural details... Wow!!!

Thanks for sharing.
Betsy

joo said...

The only thing I can say is FABULOUS! I wish I could be there!

Jim said...

These are great. Thanks for showing us around.
Sydney - City and Suburbs

Jossie said...

Great posting again. It is a beautiful and impressive building.

Noel Morata said...

i love the details on the facade, really impressive...nice commentary to on your post :)

SandyCarlson said...

What a remarkable place.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Your history and architecture are so rich.

Japa said...

Amazing structures. It is fascinating at how India has a lot of these wonders.

sujata sengupta said...

I know my own country better because of your posts, thank you!

Carolyn Ford said...

I really like the second photo! That is a classic shot and the composition is so good.

magiceye said...

brilliant!

LadyFi said...

Great shots of amazingly intricate architecture!

Unknown said...

Amazing details of the building.

Eden said...

Very nice architecture. fantastic shots

Robin said...

Those carvings are amazing! Thanks for sharing.

Wolynski said...

Just how long did it take to do all this? So intricate. The top photo of the Painted Palace is beautiful.

Lowell said...

One really has to enlarge these photos to see how wonderful this place is. It is like a great artistic masterpiece! I really like the carvings and paintings of the ducks and elephants!

Joe Todd said...

Love the designs and architecture

Shrinidhi Hande said...

Nice post n pics.

I studied by 9th std in Madhya Pradesh. Need to go there again when time permits...

penny said...

Your photos are gorgeous, Rajesh. The history is most interesting.

Victoria Tsavdaridou said...

Thank you so much for sharing these information!!!! Your photos are great!!!

George said...

The palace is absolutely beautiful. I can't get over the detailed artwork and craftsmanship in all of the pictures. It would be marvelous to see this in person.

Tania said...

Beautiful details! This most be a great palce.
Wish you a nice day!

Ezhilan said...

The architecture looks wonderful and pleasing to the eyes. I like the ceiling decorations. Nice captures.

DeniseinVA said...

I am so glad I found your blog a while ago. You show the most beautiful sites in India. Always an enjoyable experience to visit. Thank you.

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi Rajesh:)

Beautiful photos very artistically captured.Very informative post. India is truly incredible.

Have a lovely day Rajesh:)
Joseph

Pooch Purple Reign said...

absolutely incredible rajesh!
beautiful palace
~laura

Rajesh said...

Protege: Thanks. It is fresco painting.

Nisha, Tarun, Anya, Kirigalpoththa, Sarah, ewok1993, Phivos, Carver, Ebie, Babooshka, Fishing Guy, Sylvia: Thanks for the appreciation.

Rakesh, Joseph: Thaks, you are very much right.

wildwood, Footstep, Dirk, Stine, marcia, Betsy, Joo, J Bar, Jossie, noel, Sandy, Yogi, Japa, Carolyn, magiceye: Thanks for the appreciation.

Louise, George: Thanks, this is a nice place to see. You will love it.

Sujata, LadyFi, Evelyn, Robin, Eden, Wolynski, Jacob, Joe, Pam, Vicky, Spiderdama, Arasu, Denise, Laura: Thanks for the appreciation.

Shrinidhi:Thanks, it is a nice place to visit any time.

sandeep said...

luvly pictures rajesh. when i went to gwalior fort, it was a li'l late and we couldnt see the man mahal properly. nice to see it here now :)

Rajesh said...

Sandeep: Thanks for the appreciation.

indicaspecies said...

The Man Mandir Palace of the Gwalior Fort is one of my fav forts of India, the most beautiful one too.

Rajesh said...

Celine: Thanks. Yes, it is one of the beautiful forts of India.

Nalini Hebbar said...

I wonder how they lived without doors and windows...anything and anybody can walk in!!...great pictures!

RamyaWrites said...

You are so patriotic, I am going to follow your blog.

Hats off.

RamyaWrites said...

You are just so patriotic, I am going to follow your blog.