About Patiala

Patiala is a city in the south-eastern part of Punjab, in northern India. It is the fourth largest city in the state and serves as the administrative headquarters of Patiala district. The town is located around the Qila Mubarak (the Fortunate Castle), which was constructed by chieftain ‘Baba Ala Singh in 1763 AD, who founded the royal dynasty of the Patiala State. Patiala is well-known for its traditional Patiala-Shahi turban, paranda (a tasseled tag for braiding hair), Patiala salwar (a type of female trousers), jutti (a type of footwear), and Patiala peg (a measure of liquor) in popular culture. It is a judicious synthesis of a brilliant spectrum of Rajput, Mughal, and Punjabi cultures and a fine blend of modernity and tradition. The city has several educational institutions: Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Government Medical College, State College of Education, Government College of Physical Education, Government Bikram College of Commerce College, and Government Mohindra Colleg, Government Ayurvedic College and several Science and Arts Colleges, and National Institute of Sports.

Patiala is about 250 kilometres from National Capital Territory Delhi, 50 kilometres from Ambala Cantonment, and 70 kilometres from Chandigarh. The weather in December is typically very cold, with temperatures around 10o-12o C. The participants are advised to bring warm clothing.

Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib: Some people from village Lehal donated land for the Gurudwara built on this elevated site, which is said to have been visited by the ninth Sikh Guru Teg Bahadur Sahib. The legend is that anyone who prays at this Gurudwara is relieved of his suffering (‘dukhniwaran’).

Gurdwara Sahib Moti Bagh: Gurdwara Moti Bagh is located in Patiala city. When the ninth Sikh Guru, Teg Bahadur Sahib, started his journey towards Delhi, he visited this place via Kiratpur Sahib, Bharatgarh Sahib, Roap Makar, Kabulpur, etc. Sufi Saint Saif Ali Khan was a great follower of Guru Sahib. To fulfill his wish, Guru Sahib came to his place, Saifabad (Bahadurgarh), and stayed there for three months. Saif Ali Khan served Guru Sahib with great devotion. During the daytime, Guru Sahib meditated inside the Qila (Fort) and would come here at night. From here, Guru Sahib left for Samana and rested for some time before continuing towards Cheeka via Karhali and Balbera.

Maa Kali Devi Mandir: The Shri Kali Devi Temple in Patiala, dedicated to Maa Kali, was commissioned by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh in 1936. The Maharaja, who ruled Patiala from 1900 to 1938, brought a 6-ft statue of Maa Kali and a sacred flame from Bengal and offered the first sacrifice of a water buffalo. The temple, now a national monument, attracts many devotees from both Hindu and Sikh communities. It also features an older temple dedicated to Raj Rajeshwari. Located opposite the Baradari Garden on Mall Road, devotees commonly offer mustard oil, lentils, sweets, coconuts, bangles, chunnis, goats, hens, and liquor, with over 60,000 bottles of liquor offered during Navratras alone.

Qila Mubarak: Built in 1764 by Maharaja Amar Singh. The fort has two portions. Qila Androon is the inner fort, and Qila Mubarak is the outer. The gate of Qila Androon is made of lime plaster with geometrical and floral designs. Inside the fort are two painted chambers illustrating scenes from Hindu mythology and portraits of Sikh Gurus in Patiala style. Also, a part of the fort is a museum of chandeliers and famous weapons.

Sheesh Mahal: The Sheesh Mahal was built behind the main Moti Bagh Palace to serve as a pleasure complex. The paintings in two of its well-maintained, mirror-worked chambers are of Kangra and Rajasthani qalam, depicting the poetic visions of Keshav, Surdas, and Bihari. The Sheesh Mahal now houses a museum, an art gallery, the famed medal gallery, and the North Zone Cultural Centre.

Baradari Gardens: The Baradari Gardens are north of old Patiala City, just outside Sheranwala Gate. Set up during the reign of Maharaja Rajindera Singh, the garden complex features extensive vegetation of rare trees, shrubs, and flowers, along with impressive Colonial buildings and a marble statue of Maharaja Rajindera Singh. The gardens include a cricket stadium and a skating rink. A small palace at its heart is called Rajindera Kothi.

Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports (NSNIS), Patiala: Established in 1961, the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NIS) in Patiala is the largest sports institute in Asia. In January 1973, the institute was renamed Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports. NIS is located in the Old Moti Bagh palace, which was bought by the government of India after independence, in the princely city of Patiala. The National Institute of Sports Museum houses various sports, including a 95 kg hass (a doughnut-shaped exercise disc) used by the Great Gama for squats, Major Dhyan Chand’s gold medal from the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics, and PT Usha’s 1986 Seoul Asiad shoes.

Patiala Nearby Places:

Chandigarh (70 km)

Ludhiana (93 km)

Jalandhar (154 km)

Amritsar (233 km)

Shimla (154 km)

Manali (341 km)

Dharmhala (278 km)

Dalhousie (357 km)

Jammu (371 km)

Delhi (277 km)