Neemrana's - Deo Bagh

While the origins of Deo Bagh have been lost to time, this garden has played various roles during Gwalior's history. Influential Mughals were known to have stayed at this char-bagh back in the late 15th century, using the garden's opulent chhattis-dari pavilion and its underground chamber as a sanctuary for their women from the summer heat.

During the Maratha campaign against their rivals of the Delhi Sultanate, the Jadhav family claimed the garden as part of their holdings. Sardar Deorao Bhausaheb Jadhav and his successor Sardar Krishnarao Deorao Jadhav used Deo Bagh as a summer palace for the family's women, while the men stayed in nearby Jal Vihar. Later on, the bagh was expanded with family temples, cenotaphs, and stables for horses and elephants.

Despite the abolition of royal and noble titles after India's independence and unification, the Jadhavs retained some of their properties, including Deo Bagh. The current Jadhav head, Sardar Dhananjayrao Deorao Jadhav, moved here with his father, Sardar Deorao Krishnarao Jadhav, and his mother back in 1954. In 2012, they granted the Neemrana Hotels group use of the Deo Bagh, opening it as part of their line of heritage non-hotels.

Deo Bagh’s design is centered around a Mughal char-bagh, or four-part Persian garden that represents Islamic Paradise. At the center is the chhattis-dari, a special pavilion featuring 36 pillars and an underground chamber surrounded by a moat of water.

Included with Neemrana's updates to the estate, one of the four parts of the char-bagh has been turned into the Nau Bagh, or nine-part garden. The wings containing Deo Bagh's accommodations are centered around the Nau Bagh, granting guests lovely vistas and refreshing breezes regardless of which room they select. Other structures in the estate that are of note include the two Maratha family temples, which were built during the 17th and 18th centuries. Despite the passing of time, their ornate stone architecture, represented by arched gateways and carved facades, remains intact.

Cultural and Outdoor Experiences

A rich selection of culturally immersive experiences awaits at Neemrana's Deo Bagh. Within the estate, guests can admire the beauty of Maratha architecture, especially in the two well-maintained family temples found on-site. Wildlife watchers also won't need to travel far, as the gardens are home to a variety of native avian species. The management can also arrange a special bird-watching experience if you'd like to head out to and explore Gwalior's nature spots.

Having been settled for over a thousand years, Gwalior has numerous historic landmarks and heritage locations that deserve a spot on your itinerary. Gwalior Fort is a hilltop citadel and complex featuring fortifications, palaces, and temples. These include notable architectural landmarks such as Teli ka Mandir and Tansen ka Makbara. The State Archaeological Museum is also within the complex, housed in the Gujari Mahal palace. Outside the fortress, there are plenty of other attractions to visit, such as the Jai Vilas Palace, which is famous for its Indo-European architecture.

Gwalior is also part of UNESCO's Creative Cities Network, known as a Creative City of Music. Known for the Gwalior gharana, you can approach the management for nearby venues and performance dates you can catch.