Places of Interest in Shivpuri
Madhav National Park :
156 sq km in area, the park is open throughout the year. With a varied terrain
of wooded hills, the forests being dry, mixed and deciduous, and flat grasslands
around the lake, it offers abundant opportunities for sighting a variety of
wildlife. The predominant species that inhabits the park is the deer, of which
the most easily sighted are the graceful little chinkara, the Indian gazelle
and the chital. Other species that have their habitat in the park are nigai,
sambar, chausingha or four-horned antelope, blackbuck, sloth bear, leopard and
the ubiquitous common langur.
The National Park is equally rich in avifauna; the artificial lake, Chandpata,
is winter home of migratory geese, pochard, pintail, teal, mallard and gadwall.
A good site for bird watching is where the forest track crosses the wide rocky
stream that flows from the waste Weir. Species that frequent this spot are red-wattled
lapwing, large-paid wagtail, pond beron and white-breasted kingfisher. The avifauna
also includes the cormorant, painted stork, white ibis, laggar falcon, purplesunbird,
paradise flycatcher and golden oriole.
Chhatris :
Set in a formal Mughal garden, with quiet nooks under flowering trees, intersected
by pathways with ornamental balustrades and illuminated by Victorian lamps,
is the complex in which the cenotaphs of the Scindias are set. Facing each other
across a water tank are the chhatris of Madho Rao Scindia and the dowager qeen
Maharani Sakhya Raje Scindia. Synthesizing the architectural idioms of Hindu
and Islamic styles with their shikhara type and Rajput and Mughal pavilions.
The glittering white marble surface of Madho Rao Scindia's cenotaph is inlaid
in the pietra dura style, with lapis lazuli and onyx to create a spectacularly
rich effect, heightened by the delicacy of the trellis work on the sides. The
dowager queen's cenotaph has a noble dignity of line and superb structural harmony.
Both memorials contain life-size images of the Scindias and these are tended
to with extreme devotion by ceremonially-dressed retainers who perform the rituals
fo placing flowers and incense before the statues each day. In the evenings,
the hush is broken by the sound of music as artistes of the Gwalior gharana
render classical ragas before the statues.
Madhav Vilas Palace :
Standing upon a natural eminence, the elongated rose-pink summer palace of the
Scindias is built in truly yoyal proportions. A fine example of colonial architecture,
the 'Mahal' as it is called, is remarkable for its marble floors, iron clumns,
graceful terraces and the Ganapati Mandap. From the turrets, the view is a spectacular
one of Shivpuri town and the park beyond.
George Castle :
Deep within the forests of the park, on it highest point, is the turreted George
Castle built by Jiyaji Rao Scindia. From here the view of the lake is unparalleled
and the best time to visit the castle is at sunset when the lakes below mirror
the changing hues of the evening sky.
Sakhya Sagar Boat Club :
Edging the forests of the Madhav National Park is the Sakhya Sagar lake, habitat
of a variety of reptiles. Species that can be seen here are the marsh crocodile
or mugger, Indian python and the monitor lizard. On the shores of the lake and
connected to it by a broad pier is a Boat Club, an airy, delicate structure
with glass paels.
Bhadaiya kund :
A scenic picnic spot by a natural spring. The water here is rich in minerals,
supposedly of a curative nature.
Chanderi :
41 km away, Narwar is the one-time capital of Raja Nal of Naisadha. And his
consort Damayanti. It is remarkable for its medieval fortress atop a hill.
Surwaya :
21 km away, surways is noteworthy for the remains of a fort, three Hindu temples,
a monastery and a step well. Jhansi road, this sancturary is for the protection
of the Great Indian Bustard
