Discover Kapurthala: Culture and Pilgrimage Sites

A trip to Kapurthala can focus on architecture and religious history. In the district, a science and entertainment complex and a Ramsar wetland offer additional points of interest. If you are looking for a hotel, this choice of themes can be a starting point for planning your trip.

Architecture inspired by different traditions

Jagatjit Palace was built in 1908 in the Indo-Saracenic style and designed after the Palace of Versailles. Today, it houses Sainik School, which prepares boys for the National Defense Academy. The palace thus brings together historic architecture and its present-day use as a school.

The Moorish Mosque also has its own architectural connection: it was completed in 1930 and inspired by the Koutoubia Mosque complex in Marrakesh. The complex includes paintings by students of the Mayo School of Arts in Lahore, and is also set in a garden. Elysee Palace, meanwhile, was built in 1962 in the Indo-French architectural style. It was built by Kanwar Bikram Singh and is considered an important building in the city of Kapurthala.

Another architectural influence can be seen in Jagatjit Club. The building is designed in the Greek Revival style, inspired by the Acropolis of Athens; it also bears the coat of arms of the royal family of Patiala. Together with the Versailles influence of Jagatjit Palace and the Marrakesh inspiration of the Moorish Mosque, it illustrates the different architectural influences found in these buildings. Shalimar Gardens are located in the heart of Kapurthala and add to these urban landmarks.

Religious history and living traditions

Several sites connect Kapurthala and its district with the history of Guru Nanak. Gurudwara Shri Guru Ka Baag is in Sultanpur Lodhi, an administrative area of the district. The site is associated with the 14 years Guru Nanak spent in Sultanpur Lodhi as a young man. The gurdwara is described as the house where his two sons, Baba Sri Chand and Baba Lakhmi Chand, were born.

An old ber tree stands at Gurudwara Ber Sahib; according to tradition, it is the tree under which Guru Nanak meditated. The present building was built by Maharaja Jagatjit Singh of Kapurthala. State Gurudwara Sahib was consecrated in 1915 and built in the Indo-Saracenic style. These sites offer different points of connection for those interested in religious history and architecture.

Gurdwara Bebe Nanaki Ji in Sultanpur Lodhi was built in the 1970s to honor Bebe Nanaki, Guru Nanak’s elder sister. The prayers Sukhmani Sahib and Asa Di Vaar are held there daily. Visitors can take part in Langar Seva and help prepare or serve meals.

Gurdwara Sri Sant Ghat Sahib is in Sultanpur Lodhi, on the banks of the Kali Bein. According to tradition, after submerging himself in the river, Guru Nanak reappeared two kilometers upstream and spoke words there about Hindus, Muslims and the path to God. The langar hall serves vegetarian meals to all visitors, regardless of social status, religious affiliation or caste.

Gurudwara Shri Sukhchain Sahib is in Phagwara City, in Kapurthala district. The site is associated with a visit by Guru Hargobind Sahib: he is said to have rested there under a tree. Panch Mandir is considered a place of worship for people of all faiths and houses five small temples. From the entrance, visitors can see all five idols and pay their respects.

Other interests in the district

The region’s cultural history extends beyond religious buildings. Kapurthala’s classical music tradition dates back to 1858, when Kanwar Bikrama Singh of Kapurthala brought a descendant of Mian Tansen to Kapurthala. The Baba Jassa Singh Kapurthala Heritage Festival is held under the patronage of the Kapurthala Heritage Trust, in collaboration with INTACH and with the support of the Government of Punjab.

Pushpa Gujral Science City is an educational and entertainment complex on a 72-hectare site along the road between Jalandhar and Kapurthala. The complex offers flight and earthquake simulators, robotics, a virtual reality gallery, a dinosaur park and 3D cinemas. This makes science and entertainment another travel theme alongside architecture and religious history.

Kanjli Wetland is in the village of Kanjli in Kapurthala district. The wetland covers 490 hectares and has been recognized as a Ramsar site since 2002. Kapurthala’s location on the Jalandhar–Ferozpur railway line is also relevant when considering transport to the destination.

Discover more destinations: Phagwara, Rawal, Pathankot, Ludhiana, Fatehgarh Sahib, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Amritsar, Faridkot.

For the overview of the wider region: Punjab.