Patiala Shopping

Moti Bagh Palace

The Moti Bagh Palace, built in the 19th century, is designed after the famous Shalimar Gardens of Lahore with beautiful gardens, water channels, terraces and ”Sheesh Mahal”. The construction of Moti Bagh Palace was started during the reign of Maharaja Narinder Singh and was completed under the rule of Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, in the early 20th century. It now houses the National Institute of Sports and the Art Gallery that contains rare photographs, medals and kits etc. of the great Indian sportsmen. It is open to the visitors from Tuesday to Sunday and entry is based on tickets.

Built on the land donated by the villagers of Lehal, Gurudwara Dukhniwaran Sahib is famous among the devotees as pain (dukh) reliever (nivaran). It is said that this elevated site has been visited by Guru Teg Bahadur.

Located in the heart of the city one of the prominent tourist attractions of Patiala, Qila Mubarak was built by Maharaja Ala Singh in 1764. Originally made as a mud fort or kachi garhi in an area of 10 acre, the fort was reconstructed by the Maharaja as the ‘pacca quila’ after his conquest of Sirhind. It was once the residence of Patiala dynasty. The present city of Patiala has grown around the Quila Mubarak. Qila Mubarak has two main parts- the inner part –‘Qila Androon’ and the outer part -Darbar Hall. Outside the Qila, there are the Darshani Gate, a Shiva temple, and market running around the Qila.

The residential part of Qila Mubarak was called Qila Androon or the Inner Fort. Situated on a mound, Qila Androon is a single interconnected building, designed as a series of palaces; the entrance is through an imposing gate decorated with exquisite geometric and floral designs. The architectural style of this palace is a combination of Mughal and Rajasthani. The complex has 10 courtyards; each and every courtyard is unique in itself. Each set of rooms makes a cluster around a courtyard, and each bears a specific name: Sheesh Mahal, Toshakhana, Jalau Khana, Chand Mahal, Rang Mahal, Treasury and Prison. Recreational chambers called the Putli Ghar and Bagh Ghar and the royal kitchen- Lassi Khana are also there. The royal kitchen is a small two-storied building, with a central courtyard and a well. It adjoins the Ran-bass and a passage links it to the Qila Androon. The striking feature of the palace is its underground sewerage system. There is a room connected with a tunnel, which brings cool air from the basement.

One of the popular tourist attractions of Patiala, Sheesh Mahal, a patron of literature, music and fine arts, was built behind the main Moti Bagh Palace by Maharaja Narinder Singh (1845-1862). This magnificent palace is completely ornate with mirrors and glasses, along with the pretty floral motifs painted on the walls depicting scenes from Bhagwat Puran and portraits of the Sikh Gurus. The palace now houses a museum an art gallery, and also the North Zone Cultural Centre, set up by a society to preserve art. Various antique paintings, bronzes, sculptures and portraits of the Maharajas of Patiala, collection of medals, decorations and orders of various countries are displayed in the galleries of Sheesh Mahal.

Lachman Jhoola is a magnificent suspension bridge across the small Lake in front of Sheesh Mahal which links the Sheesh Mahal with the Bansar Ghar. Being a replica of the famous Lakshman Jhoola at Rishikesh, it is named as Lachman Jhoola. The Banasar Ghar now houses the North Zone Cultural Center and a hall for setting up exhibitions.

Located on the outskirts of Patiala, the Bir was originally the hunting preserve of the Maharaja spread over an area of 1,600-acre. Most of the Bir is still forest, but parts of it have been converted into a zoo and a deer park, and a pilot project on medicinal plants.

Located in the north of old Patiala City, Baradari Gardens was built by Maharaja Rajinder Singh around “Baradari Palace”. It was the state guest house for foreigners and important Indian dignitaries during the rule of the Patiala dynasty. Dotted with impressive Colonial buildings and a statue of the founder, the garden has rare plants and trees, the rock garden and the fern house. The 19th century Fern House along with quaint Rink Hall is a unique attraction of Baradari Gardens.

Situated in the heart of the Baradari Gardens, this late 19th-century palace built in the colonial style by Maharaja Rajinder Singh is worth a visit. Now it housed Punjab States Archives.

Situated opposite Baradari garden on the Mall Road, this beautiful Temple dedicated to Maa Kali was built by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh. It is said that the 6-feet high statue of the Goddess Kali had been brought from Bengal to Patiala. Because of its amazing interior, the temple has been declared a national monument. Another much older temple of Raj Rajeshwari is also situated in the center of this complex.

Mall Road with fountains and beautifully paved walkways is another tourist attraction of Patiala. On one side of Mall road is the Baradari- the colonial area of Patiala, and on the other is the walled city. Government offices, entertainment spots including cinema theatres, Rajendra Tank and a few temples are also situated there.

Established with a vision of “Fun for Everyone ", Dhillon's Fun world is North India's first biggest Water and Amusement Park well equipped with all the latest rides like Bumper Car, Revolving Tower, Horror House, Baby Train, wave Pool Anaconda Hole, River Rafting Speed Slides, Rain Dance and Mushroom Fountain. The park is a perfect place to relax for a while from the hectic and busy life style.

The place which was called Saifabad was renamed Bahadurgarh by Maharaja Amar Singh who renovated and reinforced it. The current fort can be traced back to Maharaja Karam Singh who constructed a beautiful Gurudwara six kilometers from Patiala city. It is said that Guru Tegh Bahadur stayed at Bahadurgarh while traveling.

Maharaja Bhupinder Singh was roused to construct the Kali Temple and fetch the six feet high statue of Goddess Kali from Bengal to Patiala. This huge complex entices Hindu as well as Sikh devotees. At the center of this complex there is an old temple of Raj Rajeshwari.

The Ijlas-e-Khas was constructed with the intention that it would be the Administrative Secretariat of the princely state, but this edifice is being used as the office of the Punjab State Electricity Board.