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Places To Visit In Sirhind

Aam Khas Bagh

Aam Khas Bagh translates to the Garden of the Ordinary (Aam) and privileged (Khas). The present-day Aam Khas Bagh comprises of the remnants of a highway inn that was constructed for the use of royals as well as the ordinary people. It is one of the most visible reminders of Sirhind’s glorious past. This Mughal garden, located on Bassi Road of Sirhind, is open to the public and is owned and maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. A tourist complex called Maulasari is being run on the grounds of Aam Khas Bagh at present times. The garden and nursery are well maintained, and a light and sound show is also held that depicts stories of bravery from Sirhind. There are various Mughal era monuments in the vicinity of this garden that promote it as a tourist destination. Visitors like to take a walk through the ruins and marvel at the engineering skills of a bygone era. How to Reach Aam Khas BaghAam Khas Bagh is located in the centre of Sirhind. Local buses and auto rickshaws are available to commute to the Garden. You can also consider hiring a private taxi. Aam Khas Bagh -Entry and TimingsThe entry to the Aam Khas Bagh is free. Aam Khas Bagh is open from 6 AM to 7 PM on all days except Monday. The park remains closed on all Mondays.History of Aam Khas BaghSourceThe Aam Khas Bagh was believed to have been originally constructed by the Mughal emperor Akbar as a resting place or holiday inn. Mughal emperor Shah Jahan later rebuilt it. There were numerous palaces nearby, built to make the stay comfortable for Mughal rulers. The walled garden was divided into two parts - Aam for the use of public and Khas for Royalty. The palace compounds had a set of fountains, and the orchard was spread over 11 acres of land. Major Structures in Aam Khas BaghSourceThere are several other monuments and attractions in the vicinity of the Aam Khas Bagh, like the Sard Khana, the Sheesh Mahal, Hamam and Tank that are attributed to the Mughal emperor Jahangir. The Daulat Khana E Khas is attributed to the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Sard Khana was an air-conditioned chamber of that era that had water channels running through its walls. The Sheesh Mahal, built upon the orders of emperor Jahangir, flaunts domes decorated with glazed tiles, some of which are visible to this day. The Hamam was a bathhouse that employed a unique technique to heat the water by running it through terracotta channels. The Daulat Khana E Khas is a double-storeyed building that was built upon the orders of emperor Shah Jahan as his private quarters. It is often regarded as the most beautiful building of that time. All the rooms and walls were adorned with intricate designs, and the surrounding fountains exemplified the grandeur of this monument. Other Attractions in Aam Khas BaghThe light and sound show is another major attraction of Aam Khas Bagh. It is held during the famous Shaheedi Jor Mela. It depicts the history of Sirhind and also talks about the martyrdom of the younger sons of Guru Gobind Singh. The show is held for visitors at night and is indeed a must-watch. Read More

Known as India’s first and foremost floating restaurant, this idea was conceived in Sirhind, Punjab and built in the early seventies. The uniqueness of the concept and its perfect implementation helped it creating national headlines at its time. The Floating Restaurant of Sirhind also had the distinction of being featured in the Limca Book of World Records. It has been about five decades since its construction, and it is still regarded as an attractive landmark and major tourist attraction. The Punjab Tourism Development Corporation earlier owned the Floating Restaurant. However, it was later handed over to the Punjab Heritage Tourism Promotion Board. The restaurant is built on the waters of Bhakra Mainline Canal that runs between Gobindgarh and Sirhind. It is an excellent roadside facility that is frequented by tourists and travellers to rest a while. Tourists have often praised the quality and taste of the food at this restaurant. The prices are also very reasonable. There are also provisions for an overnight stay in spacious, comfortable rooms. History and Architecture of the Floating Restaurant The point of the canal where the Floating Restaurant is built is 6 m deep and 45 m wide. The restaurant is a basic, lightweight steel structure with a vaulted roof. This structure rests on a wooden deck, and the whole thing floats on five cylinders that are tied together. The deck serves a dual purpose of being the indoor seating area as well as the bridge connected to both banks of the canal. A part of the wooden deck inside the restaurant is replaced with transparent glass slabs, thus enabling the visitors to catch a view of the blue water below them. The design and architecture of this unique and pleasant structure are attributed to Amar Rajinder Singh and Jeet Malhotra of the Department of Architecture, Punjab. How to Reach the Floating Restaurant The Floating Restaurant is located at the Delhi Amritsar Highway, near Sirhind. It is at a distance of 7-8 km from the city’s center. Several buses that travel on the Delhi Amritsar and Delhi Lahore route make a stop at this restaurant for refreshments. Travellers can also opt to hire a private taxi if traveling from Sirhind. Read More

Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib is a complex comprising of several shrines located in the Town of Sirhind. This place of worship marks the 1710 conquest of this city by the Sikhs under the able leadership of Banda Bahadur. Fatehgarh Sahib has secured a prominent place in history as the battleground of the war between the Muslims and the Sikhs. A Gurudwara was eventually built to commemorate the bravery of the younger sons of Shri Guru Gobind Singh who were bricked-up alive at that exact site. The Gurudwara of Fatehgarh Sahib is an essential religious venue among the Sikh community. It is highly regarded for the calm and peaceful vibes that it rubs off on its visitors. Read More

The Haveli Todar Mal is situated within the premises of Gurudwara Fatehgarh Sahib. It was built in the 17th century and is also popularly known as Jahaz Mahal or Jahaz Haveli. The haveli is located in Harnam Nagar, on the eastern side of the Sirhind-Ropar Railway Line. The present-day Sirhind has the remains of the Haveli of Devan Todar Mal, which is believed to have been one beautiful building during its hay day. The lavish structure has been taken over by SGPC (Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee) and is being restored with the help of the Punjab Government and INTACH (Indian National Trust for Art and Culture Heritage). Todar Mal was a local businessman and an ardent follower of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. He went on to become the Diwan in the court of the ruler of Sirhind during the Mughal reign, Nawab Wazir Khan. He is lauded to this day for defying the Mughals and buying the land for the cremation of Guru Ji’s young, martyred sons and his mother. The Haveli of Todar Mal structure is built entirely out of Sirhindi bricks. The entire premise of the haveli is decorated with several fountains and pools. Every single structure sticks true to the architectural brilliance of this palace. There is also a huge reception area designed to receive guests and meet with people. Read More

The Mata Chakreshvari Devi Jain Temple is a famous temple of the Goddess Chakreshvari. It is also called the Mata Shri Chakreshvari Devi Jain Tirth. This ancient temple is located in the Attewali village of Sirhind and is believed to be more than a thousand years old. The inception of this temple has a fascinating legend associated with it, and its glory is increasing by the day. There is an annual function held at this temple for three days after Dusshera. Hundreds of pilgrims pay a visit to the Mata Chakreshvari Temple during this time. Read More

The Mosque of Sadhana Kasai is one of the most ancient mosques of India. It is located in the north-western region of the Sirhind-Ropar railway line and is presently under the control of the Archaeological Survey of India. This mosque was dedicated to Bhagat Sadhana, who is also popularly known as Sadhana Kasai (Qasai). He was a renowned Muslim poet, mystic and saint. The entire structure of this mosque is built using Sirhindi bricks and boasts of beautiful Mughal architecture. The paintings on display in the mosque are representations of the ‘T’ art form. A Shabad of Sadhana Kasai is also included in the holy book of the Sikhs, Guru Granth Sahib. Read More

Rauza Sharif is also known as Dargah of Shaikh Ahmad Faruqi Sirhindi. He is more popularly known as Mujaddid, Alf Sani. It is a significant site of tourist attraction in Sirhind, owing to its historical importance and architectural beauty. It is often regarded as the second Mecca among Sunni Muslims. The Shaikh lived in this place during the times of Akbar and Jahangir, and he is held in very high esteem among his community. Rauza Sharif, his mausoleum, is flocked by thousands of pilgrims from various parts of the globe to take part in the Urs of Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi every year. Architecture and Other AttractionsSourceRauza Sharif has several tombs in its vicinity, belonging to the family members of Shaikh Ahmad. It also features the tombs of the Afghan ruler Shah Zaman, along with his Queen. This historical monument flaunts beautiful arches and splendid domes. The main mausoleum building is made of bricks that are partly overlaid with marble and stone. A heavy influence of the Muslim architecture is reflected from the style of this structure. The Dargah’s interior exhibits various designs and the walls flaunt carvings of famous religious lines that were penned by Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi. The Dargah also comprises of a Gurudwara which was built to commemorate the brave youngsters who sacrificed their lives when asked to give up their religion for Islam.Best Time to Visit & Entry Fee to Rauza SharifSourceThe best time to visit Rauza Sharif is during the Urs of Shaikh Ahman Sirhindi, which is held every year in August. The Urs celebrations have been taking place for more than 300 years now. It is an occasion for festivities and celebrations and sees participation from thousands of visitors each year, especially from the Muslims of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other nearby Muslim countries. It marks the death anniversary of the Mujaddid. It is a day-long fair, and the medieval structure comes alive with decorations and devotees.The Jor Mela is also organised in Rauza Sharif every year in December. Various historical incidents associated with the structure are depicted and celebrated during this occasion. Being a place of religious importance, there is no entry fee charged to visit the Rauza Sharif and its tombs.How to Reach Rauza SharifRauza Sharif is located at a distance of 5 km from the city’s centre. Travellers can hire a private taxi or even opt for an auto rickshaw to reach Rauza Sharif. Read More

Sanghol

Sanghol, also known as Uchha Pind, is a village of historical importance, located in the Fatehgarh Sahib district of Punjab. It is also known as Uchha Pind as it is located on top of a huge mound that is spread over an area of 200 km. A treasure trove of archaeological finds, it dates back to the Harappan civilisation. Sanghol has secured a special place for itself on the archaeological atlas of India. The village of Sanghol also finds mention in the works of Hiuen Tsang, a Chinese traveller from the 7th century. It is most famous for its archaeological museum, that boasts of relics and coins excavated from this area. Art lovers and history enthusiasts frequent the Sanghol Museum. The art pieces from this museum also go on display as special, exclusive exhibits at museums around the world. The excavations from Sanghol are of utmost archaeological significance and help understand the history and cultural heritage of Punjab. Sanghol Museum - Entry and TimingsThe entrance to the Sanghol Museum is free.The Sanghol Museum operates 10 AM to 5 PM on all days except Monday. The museum remains closed on all Mondays.Sanghol Museum or The Archaeological Site MuseumSourceSanghol museum is an ancient site of Harappan culture and is presently being maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India. The present building of the museum was inaugurated in the April of 1990, as a sub-division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, Archaeology and Museums under the Government of Punjab. The museum was set up by the Government to preserve and display the archaeological treasures for public appreciation. The coins and seals excavated from here belong to the Toramana and Mihirakula rulers of Central Asia. A Buddhist stupa was also uncovered in the year of 1968. SourceIn addition to those, 117 intricately carved stone sculptures were unearthed by the experts of the Directorate of Archaeology. They comprised of 69 pillars, 35 crossbars and several other figures and figurines. They are believed to belong to the Mathura School of Art of the 1st and 2nd century AD. Several relics from the Harappan civilisation are also on display here. On the whole, the Sanghol museum is home to a staggering number of 1500 artefacts. The museum aims to preserve Punjab’s cultural treasures while encouraging the public to build their appreciation of the rich heritage.How to Reach SangholSanghol is located at a distance of 20 km from Sirhind. The recommended way to reach Sanghol from Sirhind is to hire a private taxi. Read More

Sant Namdev Temple has a substantial religious following in its area. It is situated in Bassi Pathana, at a distance of 6 km from the town of Fatehgarh Sahib. The temple is dedicated to Sant Namdev who lived in Maharashtra and visited Punjab during one of his trips. The holy book of the Sikhs, Guru Grant Sahib, contains 61 sacred hymns of Sant Namdev. The temple was previously known as Swami Namdev Ji Ka Dera. The temple structure was built in the year of 1925. The temple hosts an annual three-day fair on the eve of Basant Panchami. The fair attracts hundreds of devotees from all across the country. Read More

Shahgird di Mazar is a tomb dedicated to Khwaja Khan, the apprentice (which translates to shagird) of the renowned Ustad Syad Khan. Khwaja Khan is believed to have achieved the fame of his master, Ustad Syad Khan, as a builder and architect. This structure is constructed in a Muslim architectural style and is popularly known as Talanian Maqbaras. The facade bears a striking resemblance to Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi. Shahgird di Mazar is famous for its beautiful architectural style. Few of the paintings have been lost. However, the remaining ones in the structure flaunt the exceptional artistry of that era. Read More