Sheesh Mahal is one of the most attractive and magnificent structures of Patiala. It is often called the Palace of Mirrors, Sheesh Mahal, Patiala This is a remarkable place to add to your itinerary when planning a trip to Patiala. Endowed with great art and architectural value, the palace will remind you of the grandeur of the 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, bridges, fountains and gardens. Here is a handy guide to this amazing place that will definitely leave you in awe.
History of Sheesh Mahal in Patiala
Sheesh Mahal is one of the most magnificent structures of Patiala. This palace was built by Maharaja Narinder Singh between the years 1845 and 1862 behind the main Moti Bagh Palace. The architecture of the palace is a mix of both Mughal and European styles. This palace was a residential palace built in a forest with an artificial lake, fountains, gardens and a suspension bridge which is a replica of Lakshman Jhula in Rishikesh. This palace is known for its magnificent works of art and architecture.
Sheesh Mahal Ticket Price: Free
Sheesh Mahal Timings in Patiala: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
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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 temperatures from October to February are cool and pleasant, perfect for sightseeing and other activities. The temperature in Patiala during winter season ranges between 8 °C to 23 °C which is the lowest and highest temperature recorded here during the winter season. If one is traveling to Patiala during the winter months then warm clothing is preferred.
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Architecture of Sheesh Mahal in Patiala
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The architecture of Sheesh Mahal is one of the main reasons to visit this place and see its grandeur. Architectural styles used in Sheesh Mahal, Patiala It is a mix of Mughal and European architecture. This palace is built in the 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, especially from Rajasthan and Kangra, were called by Maharaja Narinder Singh, who was an admirer of art and architecture, to paint the walls of Sheesh Mahal. The paintings depict hero-heroine, raga-ragini and bara-mas in the style of Rajasthan.
One of the main attractions of Sheesh Mahal are the miniature paintings in Kangra style depicting Gita Govinda which is an incredible poem by Jayadeva. These intricate details of art and architecture depicting various glorious things about India make this palace one of the remarkable structures of the 19th century.
There is a museum within the Sheesh Mahal which contains rich artefacts and important miniatures of Tibetan art. Royal furniture, Kashmiri and Burmese carved objects, portraits of royal kings and rulers, rare manuscripts like Jain manuscripts and Janmasakhi manuscripts can also be found inside the museum. There is also a medal gallery inside the museum which houses a collection of about 3200 medals collected by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh from different parts of the world. It is said that this gallery has the largest number of medals in the entire world. Additionally, there is also an impressive collection of 19th century coins that reflect the trade and commerce of that time.
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Some facts about Sheesh Mahal in Patiala
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Sheesh Mahal tells a lot about the royal rule and grandeur of the rulers and Maharajas of 19th century India. It also shows the richness of art and architecture during that time. Every wall and painting of the palace tells something or the other about the history. Let us briefly know what makes Sheesh Mahal so special and attractive.
- The walls and ceilings of Sheesh Mahal are painted in floral designs and miniatures referring to legends, mythology and literature by painters from Kangra and Rajasthan.
- The museum inside the Sheesh Mahal is said to have the largest collection of medals in the world, collected by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh, which was later gifted by his son to the Punjab government.
- A large part of the palace is decorated with glass and mirror work, giving the palace the name Sheesh Mahal or the Palace of Mirrors.
- The miniatures in Kangra style are one of the main attractions of this palace as they depict Gita Govinda which is an iconic poem of Jayadeva.
- The museum houses Jain manuscripts, Janmasakshi manuscripts and Tibetan art and architectural objects.
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How to reach Sheesh Mahal in Patiala?
At Sheesh Mahal, Patiala It is very easy to locate on Google Maps. It is located in the old Moti Bagh area of Patiala, easily accessible by road. Almost all the major cities of India are well connected by roads, trains and flights, so it is very easy to reach Sheesh Mahal in Patiala through various modes of transport. Below is a list of various modes of transportation that one can choose to travel from Delhi to Sheesh Mahal in Patiala.
By flight: Traveling from Delhi to Patiala via flight is not a convenient way at all. Since one has to go to Chandigarh by flight and then take a bus from Chandigarh to Patiala. This mode of transportation is expensive and also not very convenient.
by train: This is the best way to go from Delhi to Patiala. Trains like Delhi Faka Express, UA Toofan Express run from Delhi to Patiala. It will take approximately 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. To reach Patiala by bus from Delhi, one has to first take a bus to Ambala Cantt and then take a taxi or another bus from Ambala Cantt to reach Patiala, which will take about 1 hour. keep with you Sheesh Mahal in Patiala Map Useful to avoid any confusion.
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When planning a trip to Punjab, make sure to visit Sheesh Mahal. It is a place that will definitely enrich anyone with its remarkable artefacts and exhibits. Magnificent mirror and glass work of Sheesh Mahal, Patiala This place will definitely charm anyone visiting this place for the first time.
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