Gwalior
Carved directly into the rocky face of Gwalior Hill between the 7th and 15th centuries, the Gopachal Jain sculptures are one of Central India's best-kept secrets. Over 1,500 Jain Tirthankara figures — some standing over 17 metres tall — are hewn from the sandstone cliffs in extraordinary detail. Walking through this open-air gallery of rock-cut art feels meditative, uncrowded, and completely unlike any typical tourist trail.
The largest figure — a 17.1-metre seated Tirthankara — is near the southern Urvahi Gate. Don't rush through; look carefully at the smaller panel carvings.