Starting a new thread as searches with various spellings are not turning up anything on these three temple sites 30-45 km NE from Gwalior in the Morena district of Madhya Pradesh.

Understandable. The Morena district, Chambal Valley, was legendary for dacoits. It was really bad in the early 1980s, when Phoolan Devi was ruling "Queen of the Dacoits". But times have changed, as they do, and these days retired or should one say "rehabilitated" Chambal dacoits now work for ASI guarding Khajuraho temple sites from vandalism! Ah the irony ......

Anyway, as train tracks bypass this area of hills and ravines, I was thinking of hiring a taxi for a day trip from Gwalior. There are many standing temples at Bateshwar and Padawati, with intricate carvings, dating from 8 - 13 th centuries. Apparently they're important historical sites, although little visited. And I read where the circular mountaintop shrine to Shiva at Mitawali even inspired the design of the Indian parliament! But then I guess if you're working in Morena tourism you'd probably say anything to sell the local tourist attractions.

Nonetheless, there may be some truth to how great this area is. Sihunya temple is also in the Morena district and I've seen the amazing sculptures from there in the small museum near Man Singh Palace at Gwalior Fort. The Sihuniya sculptures exhibit finer workmanship than those at Khajuraho, and the museum entry cost is such a bargain by comparison at Rs 2 - but going to Khajuraho to see the temple architecture as well as the tour groups of hand-holding Indian youths ogling the erotic sculptures is still worthwhile.

So what I would like to know is if anyone has recently visited the temples of Bateshwar, Mitawali and Padawal? If you have, what are the road conditions like? Are they doable in a Tata Indica? That seems to be the taxi vehicle most often available. Another thing, are there still dacoits in the area .... ie ones who haven't yet been "rehabilitated" as modern-day Dvarapalis? In short, would I have much trouble in convincing taxi drivers to take me to all three places on a day trip? This is one trip I'd really like to take, so any feedback would be marvellous, thanks.

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The Author is an expert writer for various travel writing such as JetAirways, Jet konnect and jet airways konnect.

Author: Shoren Shaer