Day 38 - Bhatinda

Day 38


Bhatinda  is one of the oldest cities located in the Indian state of Punjab. This city is located in the Bhatinda district, and it is one of the most important tourist destinations in the state.It is named after the Bhati Rajput Kings who ruled it and is one of the oldest cities in Punjab. The land is mostly sandy, dotted with sand dunes that have a tendency to shift towards the eastern side.The district has two thermal power plants, namely Guru Nanak Dev Thermal Plant and in Bathinda city and Guru Hargobind Theermal Plant in Lehra Mohabbat. The oil refinery of the district is called the Guru Gobind Singh Oil Refinery.


How to reach here:

By Air: Raja Sansi International Airport, Amritsar (ATQ) is the nearest airport which is 168 Kms away.

By Rail: Bhatinda has a major railway station, which is one of the biggest stations in the state. Regular trains from Delhi, Mumbai, Kalka, Haridwar, Guwahati, Jaipur, Jammu Tawi, Nanded, Amritsar and Ahmedabad will be available to this railway station.


Best time to visit: October to March


Languages spoken: Punjabi, Hindi and English.


Must eat: Puri, Chole,Lassi


Famous Restaurants: Chawla Chicken center.


Places you must visit:


Qila Mubarak,1400 year old  or otherwise known as Bathinda Fort is centrally located in the city of Bathinda. This fort had once been a residence of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and was the place where Empress Razia Sultana was imprisoned after being defeated and dethroned.The fort’s bricks dats back to the era of Kushanas, when Bactria or North India was ruled by Emperor Kanishka. This fort is known to have been built by Raja Dab together with Kanishka. Inside this fort there is a Gurudwara.



Bahia Fort built in 1930, once served as the formal residence to the family of the army of Patiala. This fort was converted into a plush hotel in 1980 and was renovated with a blend of modern and traditional architecture. From a non-star hotel of 1980, regular up-gradation sponsored by the Government of India has awarded this hotel with 4 stars in 2000, which happened to be the first of its kinds in Bhatinda.Currently, Hotel Bahia Fort has 43 luxury rooms with modern facilities and a banquet hall befitting conferences or marriages with capacity to accommodate around 500 people.



Lakhi Jungle is just 15 km from Bhatinda. This forest has a Gurudwara where Shri Guru Nanak Ji had narrated Shri Japuji Sahib’s 100,000 (one lakh) holy paths. Hence, the jungle drew its name from this background story. The 9th Sikh Guru, Guru Tej Bahadur and 10th Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh had also visited this Gurudwara in the past.




Mazaar, Pir Baba Haji Rattan welcomes anyone from any religion. It is believed that Bhatinda’s Pir Baba solves all sorts of problems of his followers."Pir Baba Haji Rattan" is known to have represented India as its ambassador in the sacred city of Mecca.There is a Gurudwara close to the “Hazi Rattan”, where Baba Hazi Rattan Yadgari Sabhyacharak Mela is conducted in December every year. Originally the Baba was a Hindu poet Rattan Chand, who went on Haj to Makka and was abandoned by the society. But Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the 1st Sikh Prophet blessed him with Moksh. The 1st Guru, Guru Nanak Dev Ji and 10th Guru, Guru Gobind Singh of Sikhism, had both visited this place.



Maiser Khana Mandir is a temple dedicated to the Goddess Jwala Ji and Durga. As per the legend, once there was a devotee named “Kamala”, who couldn’t take the journey of the pilgrimage to Jwala Ji. In order to honour Goddess Durga, Kamala started a penance that was to last a lifetime to get her darshan. Goddess Durga pleased with the prayer blessed her with vision twice a year to see the jyoti of Goddess Jwala Ji. The temple was built around 1951, on the initiation of Mahavir Dal, Hansraj Aggarwal and Maur Mandi’s Radhesham Budhlada Jagannath Ji.

Damdama Sahib derives its name from a historic incident. Guru Gobind Singh, after the battles with Mughals at Chamkaur Sahib, Anandpur Sahib and Muktsar, went to the forest of Malwa. In the Talwandi Sabo, Guru Gobind took “Dam” or rest for 9 months and 9 days and since then the place is called by this name.It is also known as Guru- ki- Kanshi, as Guru Gobind made this place a hub for preaching. This place is also known by the name of Khalse Da Takhat as he re-delivered Adi - Granth at this spot. Even a seal was prepared at this place. Damdama Sahib has three tanks and ten Gurudwaras. The Nanksar Sarovar was named after Guru Nanak Dev Ji who visited this hamlet in 1510 A.D when he went on his 2nd Padyatra to Rajputana. The Gurusar Sarovar was dug up as commanded by Guru Tej Bahadurji. The Akalsar Sarovar is linked with Guru Gobind Singhji and the water of this tank, if consumed is said to destroy all sufferings and diseases.

 

Rose Garden is a popular tourist and a weekend destination at Bhatinda. Located near the Thermal Plant and stretched over an area of 40,000 sq. metres, this garden blooms in all colours of roses during winter.   

Bir Talab Zoo is a tourist complex with a children park and arrangements for rides. The lawns of this park are popular as picnic spots. Sambars, cheetah and black bucks are some of the residents of this park.



Chetak Park is a popular picnic spot which has a garden and a lake. The park also offers boating facilities. Tourists can also spend time watching the plant exhibits at Chetak Park.