Sheesh Mahal In Patiala: An Insight Into The Palace of Mirrors

17 Nov 2021

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Sheesh Mahal is one of the most alluring and magnificent structures in Patiala. Often referred to as the palace of mirrors, Sheesh Mahal in Patiala is a remarkable place to add to your itinerary when planning a visit to Patiala. Adorned with great art and architectural value, the palace will remind you of the grandeur of Kings and Maharajas of Punjab and their lavish lifestyle. Home to various paintings and sculptures, Sheesh Mahal is built in a fancy setting with an artificial lake, bridge, fountains, and gardens. Here is a handy guide to this amazing place which will definitely leave you awestruck.

History Of Sheesh Mahal In Patiala

Sheesh Mahal is one of the most magnificent structures in Patiala. The palace was built by Maharaja Narinder Singh in the year 1845 to 1862 behind the main Moti Bagh Palace. The architecture of the palace is an amalgamation of both the Mughal and European styles. The palace was a residential palace which was made in a forest with an artificial lake, fountains, gardens, and a suspension bridge which is a replica of Laxman Jhula in Rishikesh. The palace is known for its spectacular works of art and architecture.

Sheesh Mahal ticket price: Free
Sheesh Mahal in Patiala timings: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Must Read: 12 Places To Visit In Punjab

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Best Time To Visit Sheesh Mahal In Patiala

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Winter season is the most ideal time to visit Sheesh Mahal in Patiala. The temperature from October to February is cool and pleasant, perfect for sightseeing and other activities. The temperature in Patiala during the winter season ranges between 8 degrees to 23 degrees Celsius which are the lowest and the highest temperatures recorded here during the winter season. Warm clothes are preferred if one is traveling to Patiala during the winter months.

Architecture Of Sheesh Mahal In Patiala

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Sheesh Mahal’s architecture is one of the main reasons to visit this place and witness its grandeur. The architectural style used in Sheesh Mahal in Patiala is a mix of Mughal and European architecture. The palace is built in a forest with a suspension bridge and an artificial lake. The walls of the palace are impressive with floral designs and intricate glass and mirror work. Painters from Rajasthan and Kangra were especially called by Maharaja Narinder Singh, who was an admirer of art and architecture to paint the walls of Sheesh Mahal. The paintings reflect Nayak-Nayika, Raga-Ragini, and Bara-Masa in the style of Rajasthan.

One of the highlights of the Sheesh Mahal are the miniatures in Kangra style portraying Geet Govind which is an incredible poem by Jaidev. These intricate details of art and architecture depicting the various glorious things about India makes this palace one of the remarkable structures of the 19th century.

Within the Sheesh Mahal is a museum which contains rich artefacts and important miniatures of the Tibetan art. Royal furnitures, Kashmiri and Burmese carved items, portraits of Royal Kings and rulers, rare manuscripts like the Jain manuscript and Janamsakhi manuscripts can also be found inside the museum. There is also a medal gallery inside the museum which has a collection of around 3200 medals collected by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh from different parts of the world. The gallery is said to have the largest number of medals ever in the entire world. Besides this, there is also an impressive collection of coins from the 19th century which shows the trade and commerce during that time.

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Some Facts About Sheesh Mahal In Patiala

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Sheesh Mahal tells a lot about the Kingly rule and the grandeur of the rulers and the Maharajas of India of the 19th century. It also depicts the richness in art and architecture during that time. Each and every wall and the painting at the palace has something to tell about the history. Lets just quickly take a brief about what makes Sheesh Mahal so special and alluring.

The walls and ceilings of Sheesh Mahal are painted in floral designs and miniatures referring to legends, mythology, and literature by the painters from Kangra and Rajasthan.
The museum inside Sheesh Mahal is said to have the largest collection of medals in the world which were collected by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh which were later gifted by his son to the Punjab Government.
A large part of the palace is adorned with glass and mirror work which gives this palace its name Sheesh Mahal or the palace of mirrors.
The miniatures in the Kangra style are one of the highlights of this palace as they depict Geet Govind which is an iconic poem by Jaidev.
The museum houses Jain manuscripts, Janamsakshi manuscripts, and the Tibetan arts and architectural objects.

Suggested Read: 25 Inviting Places To Visit Near Chandigarh

How to Reach Sheesh Mahal In Patiala

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Sheesh Mahal in Patiala location is very easy to locate on the google maps. It is located at the Old Moti Bagh area in Patiala which is easily accessible by road. Almost all the major cities of India are well connected by roads, trains and flights, hence it is very easy to get to Sheesh Mahal in Patiala by different modes of transport. Below is a list of various modes of transport which one can choose to get to Sheesh Mahal in Patiala from Delhi.

By flight: Traveling to Patiala from Delhi via flight is not at all a convenient way. As one needs to travel to Chandigarh by flight and then take a bus from Chandigarh to travel to Patiala. This mode of transport is costly and at the same time not very convenient.

By train: This is the best way to travel to Patiala from Delhi. Trains like Dli Fka Express, UA Toofan Express run from Delhi to Patiala. It will approximately take 4 hours 20 minutes to reach Patiala from Delhi. After reaching Patiala, one can take a taxi or rickshaw to reach Sheesh Mahal.

By bus: There is no direct bus connectivity between Patiala and Delhi. In order to travel to Patiala from Delhi by bus, one needs to take bus to Ambala Cantt first and then take a taxi or another bus from Ambala Cantt to reach Patiala which will approximately take 1 hour. Keep the Sheesh Mahal in Patiala map handy to avoid any confusion.

Further Read: 23 Hill Stations Near Chandigarh You Must Visit For Surreal Views

A visit to Sheesh Mahal is a must when planning a trip to Punjab. It is a place which will definitely enrich one with its remarkable artefacts and exhibits. The magnificent mirror and glass work of the Sheesh Mahal in Patiala will surely lure the one visiting this place for the first time.

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