Teli Ka Mandir, Gwalior Fort

The Teli Ka Mandir is the oldest and tallest building within the Gwalior Fort, standing 30 meters high. Built by the Gurjara-Pratiharas in the 9th century CE, its unique architecture blends North Indian Nagara elements with South Indian Dravidian features — an early and rare example of the Vesara hybrid style.

The tower is rectangular rather than the usual square, and its exterior is covered with intricate carvings of Shaiva and Vaishnava imagery. The temple was later converted to a soda water factory by the British and subsequently restored.