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Teli Ka Mandir is an Architecture splendor which is located in Gwalior. This is the tallest and most impressive temple within the precincts of the Gwalior Fort. This particular Rajput Temple is an amalgam of the northern and southern architectural styles of India, although many opine that it is closer in design to the temples of Orissa than the South.

According to one of the legends, Rashtrakuta Govinda III occupied the Fort in 1794, and appointed the Telanga Brahmins to supervise all religious ceremonies. The temple got its name from them. According to another version of belief the monument is called the Teli Temple, because the men of Teli caste or oil merchants handled its construction. A third conjecture about the temple is that the name suggests a link with the Telangana region in modern Andhra Pradesh, which suggests the fusion of Dravidian and North Indian architectural styles.

Whatever the truth, the fact remains that the Teli Temple, is a marvellous amalgam of the architecture features of the temples of North and South India.The shikhara or a spire is definitely Dravidian in style, while the decorative details are in the Nagara style - specific to North India. Figures of river goddesses, amorous couples, coiled serpents, and a flying Garuda (Lord Vishnu's vehicle) abound in the temple complex.


Teli Ka Mandir is a very ancient temple that is undoubtedly famous for its splendid architecture. Located in the Gwalior Fort complex, Teli Ka Mandir can be reached easily by taking local means of transport from Gwalior. The English version of Teli Ka Mandir is Oilman's Temple. Built in 11th century, Oilman's Temple is the oldest temple of the Gwalior Fort.

Elevating to the height of 100 feet, Teli Ka Mandir is the tallest and most stunning temple in the confines of the Gwalior Fort. The temple is actually dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of his mount, Garuda. The colossal image of 'Garuda' (Mount of Lord Vishnu) is the major attraction of Teli Ka Mandir. This unusual image makes the circlet of the doorway, the highest structure in the Gwalior Fort.

The temple has the marvelous architecture of the Rajputana style. The structure of the temple depicts a perfect fusion of the northern and southern architectural styles of India. The 'shikhar' (spire) of the temple is undeniably Dravidian in its style, whereas the ornamentation is done in the Nagara style which is specific to North India. Unlike other temples, Oilman's Temple doesn't have any 'mandap' or pillared hall. The temple comprises a sanctum which is accompanied by a porch and a doorway.

The porch and the doorway of the temple are imprinted with elaborate carvings. The devottees can trace figures of amorous couples, coiled serpents, gods and goddesses on the doorway. The central position on this particular doorway is dominated by the figure of flying Garuda. The weird and wonderful arrangement of two architectural wonders attracts countless devotees throughout the year. Teli Ka Mandir in Gwalior boasts about the heritage and rich culture of India.


Gwalior Fort-
which was described as 'the pearl in the necklace of the castles of Hind' by the great Mughal Emperor Babur, the Gwalior Fort was much mightier than any other fort in the medieval ages.

Gurjari Mahal:
Within the fort are some marvels of medieval architecture. The 15th century Gujari Mahal is a monument to the love of Raja Mansingh Tomar for his intrepid Gujar Queen, Mrignayani. The outer structure of Gujari Mahal has survived in an almost total state of preservation; the interior has been converted into Archaeological Museum housing rare antiquities,some of them dating back to the 1st century A.D.

Man Mandir Palace :
The Palace was built between 1486 and 1517 by the great Raja Mansingh. The tiles that once adorned its exterior are beautifully carved and at the entrance traces of it still remain. Within the palace rooms there stand bare, stripped of their former glory, testifying to the passing of the centuries.

Nearby tourist places to Teli ki Mandir - Gwalior Gwalior Puri Bhubaneshwar

Sun Temple: The Temple is located near the Residency at Morar, the newly constructed Sun Temple takes its inspiration from the famous Konark Sun Temple in Orissa.

• Through Air - Gwalior has an airport that is situated nearly just 8 km away from the heart of the city. The city of Gwalior is well connected by direct flights with all the major cities in India like - Delhi, Agra, Indore, Bhopal, Mumbai, Jaipur and Varanasi.


• Through Road- there is a good road network connecting all the major places of Madhya Pradesh as well as other places of India with Gwalior. Gwalior city is well linked with by road ways include Agra, Jaipur, Delhi, Lucknow, Bhopal, Chanderi, Indore, Jhansi, Khajuraho, Ujjain, and Shivpuri.


• Through Rail- the railway station in Gwalior is located on the Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi -Chennai rail track. The Railway transportation here also connects Gwalior with many other major cities of India.