MP DIaries: Chhatris of Shivpuri, A 20th century Wonder

Our next destination after Chanderi was Gwalior. As we had enough time, we wished to check out a few places on the way which included Datia and Shivpuri. We zeroed in on Shivpuri as we would also have a chance to visit the Madhav National Park on the way. The initial drive was on a single road until we reached Sirsod, wherefrom it was on the 4 laned NH 27.  We took a diversion following a sign board directing us towards Madhav National Park and drove for about 5 km only to realize that we were lost and had taken the wrong diversion. We returned to the highway and started driving towards Shivpuri and suddenly found another board (the right one this time) towards Madhav National Park! We inquired at the entrance of the national park only to realise that the safari and the entrance fee were insanely priced and decided to skip visiting the park. We drove ahead to check out the Royal Chhatris.

Chhatri of Maharani Sakhya Rao Scindia 

 The Royal Chhatris complex has two beautiful and magnificent Marble Cenotaphs, one dedicated to the Scindia dynasty king Madho Rao Scindia and the other to his mother Maharani Sakhya Rao Scindia. We were in for a shock to see a horde of people there and realised most of them had come to celebrate the beginning of the New Year. We were in a dilemma to enter the complex premises owing to the huge gathering, but the Chhatris were so grand that we could not give it a miss. We entered the complex after paying nominal fee. The place is maintained by the local trust and seemed low on maintenance due to the crowd's littering.

Statue of Maharani Sakhya Rao Scindia 

Royal Seat 

Decked Up Entrance to Chhatri 

Chhatri of King Madho Rao Scindia 

Door 

  The Maharaja Madho Rao Scindia Chhatri is was built between 1926 and 1932. This excellent white marble work with lot of floral design in Rajputana style. The architecture of both the Chhatris present here is a combination of Rajput and Islamic styles. The Jali work is quite intricate and exquisite. We sat on the beautiful seat laid in the garden and watched the sun go down. But the crowd was here deterrent and we decided to call it a day. Our drive to Gwalior on the highway was a nightmare due to the 4 lane work of the highway which was under progress.

Sunset in the Background of Chhatri of King Madho Rao Scindia 

Other Places of Interest: Madhav Vilas Palace, George's Castle, Bhadaiya Kund and so on.
Entrance Fee: Madhav National Park - Rs.100/- per head, Rs.1000/- per Vehicle for Safari (own vehicle to be used), Chhatris - Rs.10/-per head.
Distance from the nearby town: Shivpuri is a major town, about 110 km from Gwalior.
Accommodation: We didn't stay here, but there are many option best being MPSTDC tourist Village maintained by MP tourism.
Where to eat: Tourist village is the best option along with various other options.
References:
1. RBS Visitors guide India Madhya Pradesh

Related Posts:

1. Madhya Pradesh - The heart of Incredible India 

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