Patiala’s history is laced with several notable personalities, starting from Mughals to Sikh Gurus to a number of flamboyant rulers. All of these have bequeathed this place a rich heritage of craftsmanship and design. The erstwhile royal and princely city of Punjab – Patiala – is renowned for its huge palaces, religious places, ancient gardens and some of the best academic institutes.
The city is also extremely popular for its traditional Patiala Shahi turban – a kind of headgear, Patiala salwar – a kind of female trousers, paranda – tasselled tag used for braiding hair, Punjabi jutti – a kind of footwear and last but not the least Patiala peg – a measure of liquor. This place is a heaven for shoppers and foodies alike. If there are a number of Dhabas which sell delicious Jalebis and Chole Bhature, there are some great fine dining options available as well. The best time to visit Patiala is during the months of October to February. In case you want to explore all of Patiala destinations, you need at least 2-3 days of stay here.
Following are some of the popular shopping places, eateries, sightseeing locations, historical places and monuments that you can explore while in Patiala.
Shopping Places
Some of the famous markets of Patiala include Adalat Bazaar, Arna Barna Bazaar, Anardana Chowk, Old Qila Mubarak Market, Sheran Wala Bazaar, Dharampura Market, Chandni Chowk market and Main Bazaar Tripuri. These markets are always bustling with locals and travellers. You can get here traditional Punjabi embroidered suits (Phulkari Suits) and Dupattas to Punjabi juttis and Parandas along with handicrafts, books, accessories, coloured nalas. Make sure to carry your camera so that you can capture the beauty of these vibrant markets. These places are usually moderately priced and thus a total value for your money. Carry a fat stash of money and get all the famous Punjabi accessories.
Eateries
The old bazaars of Patiala boast of their gourmet delight for foodies. You can get everything starting from humble street food joints to fine dining options. Some of the best-known restaurants and eateries of Patiala include Jaggi Sweets, Moti Mahal Deluxe, Boston Bites, Meenu Parontha, Sahni’s Bakery and restaurant, Aneja Sweets, restaurant and bakers, Patiala House, Nagpal Restaurant and so many more. There is something for everyone you can find in these joints. For Jalebi lovers, Malhotra Jalebi shop – located at Anardana Chowk – is a perfect place to get crispy, hot and sweet jalebis.
Sightseeing places
For sightseeing, places like Kali Temple, Baradari Gardens, Darbar Hall and Museum, Bir Moti Bagh Sanctuary, Lachman Jhoola, Jalau Khana and Sard Khana, Sheesh Mahal are frequently visited by travellers. These places are best travelled with friends and family. You can easily reach these places with the help of local auto rickshaws and cabs.
Historical places and monuments
Some of the ancient places and monuments in Patiala include Sheesh Mahal, Bahadurgarh Fort, Qila Mubarak Complex, Baradari Gardens, Moti Bagh Palace and Museum. Gurudwara Dukh Niwaran Sahib and Gurudwara Shri Moti Baag Sahib are two of the most notable places of religious interest located in Patiala. Patiala boasts of some of the best structures and academic institutes displaying a long tradition of prominence in training and education. Mohindra College, Yadvinder Public School, and Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology are some of the seasoned establishments of higher learning in North India. In addition, the Netaji Subhash National Institute of Sports was built up inside the Moti Bagh Palace following Independence and is said to be Asia’s biggest games organization.
So if you want to experience the famous warm hospitality of Punjab, then Patiala is worth the shot. Simply Pack your bags and get ready to experience this princely state.