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Bathinda named after ‘The Kings of Bhati Rajput’, the clan that ruled Punjab in the 6th century, is one of the oldest cities in Punjab. It is a gem of a place with a strong historical history and rich culture, attracting plenty of tourists from around the world. Amongst the many loud and robust cities of Punjab, Bathinda is comparatively less visited. There are temples, historical monuments, and forts that are dotted across the city. It has five artificial lakes, giving the town the title of “City of Lakes.” The city is located 227 kilometers away from Chandigarh, the capital of Punjab.
The variegated nature around town enlivens people from all walks of life. If you find joy when surrounded by nature, you can beat a path to the Rose Garden as well as other parks around the area. For the romantic in you, indulge in a boat ride in one of the lakes while watching the crimson sun staining the evening sky. For the history lover, visit places like Qila Mubarak, a historical site that has traces of the city’s folklore. If you wish to collect souvenirs, you can buy plenty of handloom products in numerous shops across the city. The extensive shopping will surely have you famished. To satiate your hunger, you should not miss a chance to indulge in the local food of Bathinda.
Ruled by many conquerors in the past, Bhatinda attained the status of a princely state under the rule of Ala Singh of Patiala in the 18th century. Bathinda became an independent district post-independence in 1947. Today it is a flourishing city with a contrasting mix of traditional and contemporary culture. This mixture of old and new contributes to the charming and vibrant atmosphere of the place.
When it comes to celebrations and festivals, Basant Panchami and Lohri are among the best of the Punjabi festivals. Lohri is a harvest festival wherein people gather around a bonfire in merriment to sing and dance. Basant Panchami is a forty-day celebration where fairs are set up for people to come together and enjoy the festivities with food, games, and shopping.
The handicrafts in Bathinda are made using the art weaving and embroidery. Phulkari is an intricate colorful floral embroidery work that is unique to the state Punjab. The true essence of Bathinda and Punjab at large lies in their gastronomy. The Punjabi cuisine, aromatized with spices and slathered with clarified butter is among India’s most savored street food. Dishes like Butter Chicken, Tandoori Chicken, and Naan Bread have found a place under international cloches.
The city is scattered with holy places that welcome many devotees and tourists. Most of these sacred spots are on the top of the must-visit list for tourists.
Damdama Sahib is holy for the Sikhs. The Gurudwara is one of the five Seats of Temporal Authority or Takhts. It was constructed to celebrate the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh. It wasn’t until the 18th November 1966 that Damdama Sahib was officially announced as the fifth Takht. The Gurudwara is located 28 kilometers from Bathinda in Talwandi village.
According to folklore, the Maiser Khana Temple is where the Jyoti of Mata Jawala materialized for an unfortunate devotee who was unable to reach the Temple at Jawala Ji. There are two fairs or melas held here annually, attended by enthusiastic devotees.
Lakhi (lakh) Jungle derives its name from the holy event that took place in the jungle. You can find an old Gurudwara in the jungle where Shri Guru Nanak Dev recited The Holy Scriptures for one lakh (100,000) times. The forest is at a distance of 15 kilometers from the city.
There are zoos, parks, and playgrounds that will keep your children busy and entertained. These places are the ultimate spots for your children to have fun.
For tourists traveling with kids, the Zoological Park is an ideal place for a picnic. It is situated at a distance of 6 km from the city, an ideal place for you to unwind post sightseeing.
Chetak Park is located in the Bathinda Army Cantonment. It is a public garden where families can witness a variety of wildflowers growing and have a nice picnic.
The famous Thermal Plant of Bathinda has opened a public lake for people to have a picnic around and enjoy boat rides. Here you can choose from different types of boats like motorboats and self-driven pedal boats. With these boats, you can explore the lake and float on the soft waves. A visit to the Thermal Plant Lake is a perfect thing to do on a day out.
It is a zoo with 161 acres of land dedicated to the protection of birds and animals by the Forest Wildlife Protection Department of Punjab. The Bir Talab zoo has gardens for you to relax and soak in nature. It has a display of birds and rare deer like the blackbuck.
Qila Mubarak fort is situated in the heart of Bathinda. It is one of the National Monument of India, recognized through its historical importance. The Qila or the fort’s been standing for 1900 years. According to studies, the bricks used in the construction of the fort dates back to the period of the Kushan Empire. In 1240 AD, the then Sultana of Delhi, Razia Sultan, was taken prisoner here.
Now a four-star hotel, the Bahia Fort was built in 1930. It was the official abode of Patiala’s Maharaja Bhupinder Singh’s armed forces.
Rose Garden is a popular spot for tourists. It a garden where a huge assortment of roses are planted across ten acres of land.
Travelers looking for an all-inclusive shopping destination can bring their wallets to Dhobi Bazaar. A place your wallet will thank you for considering how reasonable and affordable the goods are. You can find garments, clothes, decor, jewelry, gift items, and more.
Note: Most of the tourist places allow cameras and phones in Bathinda. However, in some areas, you may be charged a small amount of money to use it.
Bathinda is a paradise for shopaholics. You can visit the old bazaars, malls, and other stores in the city to buy souvenirs and trinkets. You can find exquisite things from home decor to food with reasonable price tags hanging from them. It is famous for traditional Punjabi handicrafts and handlooms. You would be awestruck by the jewelry, phulkari clothes, and the local street food found here.
Purchase something authentic from the city and carry the spirit of Punjab in your backpack all the way home. You could buy yourself a pair of beautiful local footwear known as jutis. You could also get yourself a pair of pleated pants, known as patialas. All you need is a Phulkari kurta to top and create the authentic Punjabi ensemble.
For souvenirs, the city’s lacquered woodwork art is the ideal option. And some local, tribal jewelry. Other than these you can also buy blankets, garments, and carpets from local handloom stores.
You will get to relish the world-famous Punjabi cuisine all across the city. Best places to indulge in are usually street stalls and Dhabaas. You have an array of choices in food regardless of whether you’re looking for breakfast items, dinner, snacks or desserts. But it all must be accompanied by some rich, delicious lassi. Punjabi cuisine has a plethora of choices in its menu cards for vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Vegans beware, Punjabi food has a generous amount of butter and clarified butter in it.
Dishes that you must try are – Chhole Bature which is a spicy chickpeas curry and fried puffy bread. Dal Makhani, slow-cooked legumes with cream. Sarson da Saag and Makki ki Roti, which a mustard leaf gravy and Indian cornbread. For some evening snacks with tea and refreshments, you could find some freshly made Samosas, savory stuffed puff pastry and pakodas, assorted battered and deep-fried veggies. Craving something sweet? Then you have to try out some hot jalebis and gulab jamun. For meat lovers, you can scan through the menu and find meat like chicken, mutton, and fish cooked in spices either as a snack or as a curry to eat with soft naan bread.
The city has high-end hotels, heritage hotels, budget rooms, hostels, and bread and breakfasts for you to pick from. Bathinda is a well-connected city; wherever you stay, you will have public and private transport at your disposal. Staying near the outskirts of the city is cheaper than staying centrally in the town. The prices of budget hotels, hostels, and B&B are reasonable throughout the city.
The best time to travel is when the heat is merciful, and the cold is bearable, which is between October and March. The weather is delightfully pleasant during this time. Though the peak winters are within the mentioned months, to experience Bathinda in a sweater has its charm. Also, the best produce is found around the winter with farm-fresh vegetables and grains coming straight from the farms. Always make sure you are in comfortable shoes as sightseeing requires a lot of walking, additionally cemented and tar terrains are tough (potholes and cracks). Attire yourself in comfortable, warm clothes. It may get warmer during the day, but a sudden shift in weather is anticipated. Carry moisturizers and lotions as the weather is dry throughout the year.
As a tourist destination, Bhatinda is gradually rising through the ranks. The city has something for everyone with a lot of fun things to do. It has a rich historical background that you can explore throughout the city. As a thorough Punjabi city, the people are warm and welcoming. Being a part of this colorful city will elevate your mind, body, and soul from the monotony of your everyday life.
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April 15, 2024 
