Chandigarh to Patiala to Ropar
CHANDIGARH TO PATIALA TO ROPAR
CDG
PTA
RPAR
ITINERARY
DAY 1
ROCK GARDEN - ROSE GARDEN - THE YADVINDRA GARDENS
Rock Garden
Nek Chand’s Rock Garden is a garden of sculptures created from construction waste in the 1950’s by a government official Nek Chand, who was building the divine kingdom of Sukrani on a gorge of Sukhna Lake. Now the forty acres have been reserved as land conservancy. And it is a tribute to the city of Chandigarh which was also planned and built during this period by the eccentric French architect Le Corbusier.
Rose Garden
Zakir Hussain’s Rose Garden is Asia’s Largest rose garden. Spread over 30 acres in Sector 16 it houses approximately 50,000 plants of 1600 species. Named after India’s former president Zakir Hussain along with rose plants there is a great emphasis on plants of medicinal value and a few unique tree specimens. At night there is a fantastic ambience created with fountains and bright lights to enhance the visitor’s experience. There is an annual Rose Festival held at the gardens during the months of February and March.
The Yadvindra Gardens
The Yadavindra gardens at Pinjore are spectacular terraced gardens featuring in the Rajasthani Mughal style a Sheesh Mahal, Rang Mahal and the cubical Jal mahal. A series of fountains and waterfalls, illuminated at night, make this garden splendorous. The garden in the village of Pinjore lies 22 km from Chandigarh on the Ambala Shimla road. The Gardens were designed by Nawab Fidal Khan an architect and foster brother to Aurangzeb.
Nek Chand’s Rock Garden is a garden of sculptures created from construction waste in the 1950’s by a government official Nek Chand, who was building the divine kingdom of Sukrani on a gorge of Sukhna Lake. Now the forty acres have been reserved as land conservancy. And it is a tribute to the city of Chandigarh which was also planned and built during this period by the eccentric French architect Le Corbusier.
Rose Garden
Zakir Hussain’s Rose Garden is Asia’s Largest rose garden. Spread over 30 acres in Sector 16 it houses approximately 50,000 plants of 1600 species. Named after India’s former president Zakir Hussain along with rose plants there is a great emphasis on plants of medicinal value and a few unique tree specimens. At night there is a fantastic ambience created with fountains and bright lights to enhance the visitor’s experience. There is an annual Rose Festival held at the gardens during the months of February and March.
The Yadvindra Gardens
The Yadavindra gardens at Pinjore are spectacular terraced gardens featuring in the Rajasthani Mughal style a Sheesh Mahal, Rang Mahal and the cubical Jal mahal. A series of fountains and waterfalls, illuminated at night, make this garden splendorous. The garden in the village of Pinjore lies 22 km from Chandigarh on the Ambala Shimla road. The Gardens were designed by Nawab Fidal Khan an architect and foster brother to Aurangzeb.
DAY 2
CAPITOL COMPLEX – SUKHANA LAKE – JAPANESE GARDEN
Capitol Complex
Capitol complex situated in Sector 1 comprises of three iconic buildings designed by Le Corbusier in his eccentric modern style. The high court was constructed in the Capitol Complex during the year 1951 to 1957 the Secretariat was constructed in the year 1953 to 1959. The Capitol Complex is regarded as the Modern Temple of Democracy in Free India.
Sukhna Lake
Sukhna Lake is an artifical lake at the foothills of the Shivalik hills and is a preferred destination for the locals. It is a rain-fed lake created in 1958 by damming the Sukhna choe, a seasonal stream coming down from the Shivalik hills which make a magnificent backdrop.
Japanese Garden
Designed and built on the Japanese philosophy or the way of the Zen, this themed garden compliments the rose garden opposite it, by bringing contrasting garden styles to Chandigarh a city known for its gardens.
Capitol complex situated in Sector 1 comprises of three iconic buildings designed by Le Corbusier in his eccentric modern style. The high court was constructed in the Capitol Complex during the year 1951 to 1957 the Secretariat was constructed in the year 1953 to 1959. The Capitol Complex is regarded as the Modern Temple of Democracy in Free India.
Sukhna Lake
Sukhna Lake is an artifical lake at the foothills of the Shivalik hills and is a preferred destination for the locals. It is a rain-fed lake created in 1958 by damming the Sukhna choe, a seasonal stream coming down from the Shivalik hills which make a magnificent backdrop.
Japanese Garden
Designed and built on the Japanese philosophy or the way of the Zen, this themed garden compliments the rose garden opposite it, by bringing contrasting garden styles to Chandigarh a city known for its gardens.
DAY 3
PATIALA: QILA MUBARAK COMPLEX -PATIALA KALI MATA MANDI - SHEESH MAHAL
Qila Mubarak Complex
The Qila Mubarak complex is a Fort and palace built in Mughal and Rajput style of architecture. The fort was built as Kachigarhi (Mud Fortress) by Maharaja Ala Singh in 1764 but the inside palace or Qila Androon was completed by his grandson.
Patiala Kali Mata Mandir
The Kali Devi Mandir at Patiala was built by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh in 1936. He was inspired to build the temple and brought the idol of Goddess Kali and the Pawanjyoti or the ‘Scared fire’ from Bengal to Patiala.
Sheesh Mahal
The Palace of mirror, Sheesh Mahal was built as a part of the old Moti Bagh palace in the 19th century amidst a fantasy setting of an artificial lake with a bridge, fountains and gardens. Now it is a museum with the largest collection of medals in the world.
The Qila Mubarak complex is a Fort and palace built in Mughal and Rajput style of architecture. The fort was built as Kachigarhi (Mud Fortress) by Maharaja Ala Singh in 1764 but the inside palace or Qila Androon was completed by his grandson.
Patiala Kali Mata Mandir
The Kali Devi Mandir at Patiala was built by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh in 1936. He was inspired to build the temple and brought the idol of Goddess Kali and the Pawanjyoti or the ‘Scared fire’ from Bengal to Patiala.
Sheesh Mahal
The Palace of mirror, Sheesh Mahal was built as a part of the old Moti Bagh palace in the 19th century amidst a fantasy setting of an artificial lake with a bridge, fountains and gardens. Now it is a museum with the largest collection of medals in the world.
DAY 3
PATIALA: GURUDWARA DUKH NIWARAN SAHIB - MOTI BAGH PALACE -BARADARI GARDEN
Gurudwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib
It is one of the most popular Gurudwaras of Punjab. The water from its sacred pool is believed to cure diseases. The name of the Gurudwara literally means eradicator of suffering. Guru Tegh Bahadur was invited to come to Lehal village to eradicate a mysterious disease affecting the village. The spot where Guru Tegh Bahadurji sat for his meditations was taken to establish the Gurudwara.
Moti Bagh Palace
Located in Moti Bagh in Patiala, Moti Bagh Palace is a magnificent palace that attracts a lots of tourists. Originally built in the 1840 by the Maharajah premises were expanded in 1920 under the rules of Maharaja Bhupindera Singh. Boasting striking architecture of chhatris & jharokhas it exudes an old world charm. It has 15 dining halls.
Baradari Garden
Baradari garden is located north of old Patiala city near Sheranwala gate. A vast garden dotted with colonial buildings it makes for a get away from the city life while in the city. There is also a replica of the 19th century Fern House in Calcutta.
Bahadurgarh Fort
Bahadurgarh Fort is a historical fort named after the ninth Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji. The fort was built around the village of Saifabad in 1668. The Gurudwara built inside the fort, is renowned for its Sikh style architecture and is a sight to behold on April 13, the day of Baisakhi.
Bir Moti Bagh Wildlife Sanctuary
Located 5kms from Patiala city, the Bir Moti Bagh Wildlife sanctuary is spread over 654 hectares of land and was the royal family’s prized hunting reserve. Today it is a protected forest with adventurous trails and possibility of spotting common wild animals like deer and jackals.
It is one of the most popular Gurudwaras of Punjab. The water from its sacred pool is believed to cure diseases. The name of the Gurudwara literally means eradicator of suffering. Guru Tegh Bahadur was invited to come to Lehal village to eradicate a mysterious disease affecting the village. The spot where Guru Tegh Bahadurji sat for his meditations was taken to establish the Gurudwara.
Moti Bagh Palace
Located in Moti Bagh in Patiala, Moti Bagh Palace is a magnificent palace that attracts a lots of tourists. Originally built in the 1840 by the Maharajah premises were expanded in 1920 under the rules of Maharaja Bhupindera Singh. Boasting striking architecture of chhatris & jharokhas it exudes an old world charm. It has 15 dining halls.
Baradari Garden
Baradari garden is located north of old Patiala city near Sheranwala gate. A vast garden dotted with colonial buildings it makes for a get away from the city life while in the city. There is also a replica of the 19th century Fern House in Calcutta.
Bahadurgarh Fort
Bahadurgarh Fort is a historical fort named after the ninth Guru, Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur ji. The fort was built around the village of Saifabad in 1668. The Gurudwara built inside the fort, is renowned for its Sikh style architecture and is a sight to behold on April 13, the day of Baisakhi.
Bir Moti Bagh Wildlife Sanctuary
Located 5kms from Patiala city, the Bir Moti Bagh Wildlife sanctuary is spread over 654 hectares of land and was the royal family’s prized hunting reserve. Today it is a protected forest with adventurous trails and possibility of spotting common wild animals like deer and jackals.
DAY 4
ROPAR
Ropar or Rupnagar
Ropar was one of the first excavation sites for Indus Valley Civilization. It was an important center of the civilization.
There are many adventure and religious destinations in Ropar. Anandpur Sahib and many important gurudwaras dot the landscape as tribute to important moments and history of the Sikhs.
Virasat e Khalsa Museum is an important museum that brings together 500 years of Sikh History.
Ropar was one of the first excavation sites for Indus Valley Civilization. It was an important center of the civilization.
There are many adventure and religious destinations in Ropar. Anandpur Sahib and many important gurudwaras dot the landscape as tribute to important moments and history of the Sikhs.
Virasat e Khalsa Museum is an important museum that brings together 500 years of Sikh History.