Top Things to Do in the Patiala | Must-See Attractions & Experiences

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Places To Visit In Patiala

Bahadurgarh Fort

Located in the city of Patiala, Bahadurgarh Fort is an ancient historical fort which was constructed in 1658 CE. Originally built by Nawab Saif Khan, it was later renovated and remodelled by Maharaja Karam Singh in 1837. Sprawling over an area of 21 sq. km., the fort was named after the ninth Sikh Guru- Sikh Guru Tegh Bahadur. Boasting of two ramparts and a moat, it is built in a circular shape. Besides a Gurudwara in the fort complex that goes by the name of Gurudwara Sahib Patshai Navin, there is also a mosque setting a perfect example of peaceful coexistence. In addition to being a popular tourist attraction, the fort premises are currently used for the Punjab Police Commando Training School. Read More

Baradari Gardens, located north of Old Patiala city nearby Sheranwala Gate was built during the reign of Maharaja Rajinder Singh. It houses a lot of rare trees, shrubs and flowers along which graces the presence of colonial buildings. There is also a statue of Maharaja Rajinder Singh in the garden. This was built as a royal residence with cricket stadium, a skating rink and Rajinder Kothi, which is a small palace and now turned into a heritage hotel. Read More

Located 5 kms from Patiala city, the Bir Moti Bagh Wildlife Sanctuary is spread over 654 hectares of land and was once the royal family’s prized hunting reserves. The Bir area was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1952. Today, it is home to a plethora of indigenous wildlife, notably the chital, hog deer, peafowl, myna, partridge, etc. There is also a separate deer park within the Sanctuary. The best time to visit the Sanctuary is in the winters (October-January) when migratory birds can be spotted. The Sanctuary also provides for washroom and cafeteria facilities to visitors. Do not forget to carry a reusable water bottle, and a hat/umbrella, when visiting in the summers. Read More

One of the most popular Gurudwaras in Punjab, Gurudwara Dukh Niwan Sahib is a Gurdwara in Lehal which is now a part of Patiala and is quite famous for curating virtues. Looked after by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, visitors have faith in the healing qualities of the water here and pay an annual tribute to this Gurdwara. According to the HukamNama, it is believed that if anyone with ailments or illnesses takes a dip in the pond with complete devotion and attention can be fully cured. Visitors can take part in a lot of activities apart from praying here such as volunteering to help feed people or keeping the Gurdwara clean. A number of people visit this Gurdwara, not only on special occasions such as Basant Panchmi (the day when Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji arrived here), Gurunanak Jayanti or Lohri but this place is also often visited by newly-wed couples and new-borns. All in all, this Gurudwara is considered highly auspicious as it is known for its healing powers and is definitely worth a visit for those who visit Patiala. Read More

Located in Moti Bagh in Patiala, Moti Bagh Palace is an ancient magnificent palace that attracts a lot of tourists to the place. Originally built in the 1840s by the Maharaja of Patiala, the premises of the palace were expanded in 1920 under the rule of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh. Boasting of striking architecture with chhatris and jharokas, and exuding old world charm, it is home to 15 dining halls. Lately, a part of the palace has been converted into a museum and the remaining into National Institute of Sports. The repository, also known as the Sheesh Mahal is home to a lot of relics of art and culture, and several paintings belonging to the 20th century which are done in the Rajput and Kangra styles. In addition to this, the walls are adorned with medals collected and awarded by the consecutive Maharajas. Another attraction at the palace is the beautiful artificial lake with a hanging bridge that was fashioned on the Lakshman Jhula of Haridwar. Read More

The Kali Devi Mandir at Patiala was built by the Maharaja of Patiala, Bhupinder Singh, in 1936, who was inspired to build the temple and bring the idol of Goddess Kali and the “paawan jyoti” or the “sacred fire” from Bengal to Patiala. Situated opposite the Baradari Garden, the temple houses a six-foot-tall idol of Goddess Kali. The temple, made entirely in white marble, in itself is a work of art, an architectural wonder to say the least. This is believed to be so because the kings of Patiala are known to have been ardent supporters and promoters of art and culture. The walls of the temples are adorned with beautiful murals, inscriptions and frescoes, telling the tales of Hindu mythology and stories from Hindu epics. The six-foot idol, made of black stone and standing erect in a gold-plated sanctum, is seen in her popular image - bloodshot eyes, open mouth and a drooping tongue, with a bent sword and a human head in her hand. Because of its architectural finesse, the temple has been declared a national monument. Interestingly, an older temple to a Hindu deity Raj Rajeshwari also stands in the middle of the temple complex. Read More

The Qila Mubarak complex is a rampart fort cum palace built in Sikh Palace architectural style- a derivative of Mughal and Rajput style of architecture in India. It was built under the patronage of Maharaja Ala Singh in 1764. The whole complex comprises of various sections including Ran Baas (guest house), Darbar Hall, Qila Androon, with an underground sewerage system within the Qila, and Qila Bahadurgah.

Sheesh Mahal, Patiala

Literally meaning the Palace of Mirrors, Sheesh Mahal was built as a part of the Old Moti Bagh Palace in the 19th century. There are a lot of frescoes, mostly made under the reign of Maharaja Narinder Singh. There is a lake in front of this palace along with a bridge called Lakshman Jhula, which adds to its beauty. There is a museum along with this palace as well which has the largest collection of medals from the world.