Sheesh Mahal Patiala

Sheesh Mahal: The Sparkling Palace of Mirrors The Sheesh Mahal, or the "Palace of Mirrors," is one of the most magnificent architectural landmarks in the city of Patiala. Built in 1847 by Maharaja Narinder Singh, it was originally part of the Old Moti Bagh Palace complex. The Maharaja, a great patron of the arts, designed this palace to be a residential retreat that would rival the aesthetic beauty of Mughal architecture while celebrating the vibrant spirit of Punjab. The Magic of Glass and Paint True to its name, the palace is a masterpiece of mirror work. The Maharaja invited skilled artisans from Rajasthan and Kashmir to decorate the walls and ceilings with intricate glass mosaics and convex mirrors that reflect light in a dazzling, kaleidoscopic fashion. Kangra and Rajasthani Murals: The walls are adorned with exquisite frescoes depicting scenes from Hindu mythology (particularly the Krishna Leela), the life of the Sikh Gurus, and Punjabi folklore. The Lake and Bridge: In front of the palace lies a picturesque artificial lake. A massive suspension bridge, known as the Laxman Jhula (modeled after the one in Rishikesh), spans the water, connecting the main palace to the sprawling gardens. A Treasure House of Heritage Today, the Sheesh Mahal houses one of Punjab’s most important museums. It is world-renowned for its Medal Gallery, which features the largest collection of medals and decorations in the world—over 3,000 specimens collected from across the globe by Maharaja Bhupinder Singh. Art Collections: The museum also displays rare Tibetan thangkas, ivory carvings, and a stunning collection of natural history specimens, including taxidermy animals from the royal hunting expeditions. Rare Manuscripts: It holds a precious collection of 19th-century manuscripts, including the Janamsakhis and various Hindu scriptures. The Sheesh Mahal is not just a building; it is a cultural bridge between the Mughal, Rajput, and Sikh artistic traditions. It remains a must-visit for anyone seeking to understand the opulent lifestyle and refined tastes of the Patiala royalty.

The location is quite beautiful, though it is currently closed. Regrettably, access to most of the buildings and the bridge is unavailable, but they do appear quite stunning.

This beautiful palace is closed since ages and seems govt is not invested in preserving heritage properties in Punjab.

Sheesh Mahal in Patiala is a stunning architectural gem, offering a glimpse into the opulence and grandeur of Punjab's royal history. Located within the Patiala Fort, this palace stands out for its intricate mirror work, beautiful frescoes, and its fascinating blend of Mughal and traditional Punjabi architectural styles. The highlight of Sheesh Mahal is undoubtedly its magnificent mirror hall, where thousands of tiny mirrors are embedded into the walls and ceiling, creating a mesmerizing reflection effect. The palace is also adorned with stunning marble flooring, decorative carvings, and colorful stained-glass windows, which add to its regal charm. The well-maintained gardens surrounding the Mahal are a great place to relax, and visitors can take a walk around the lush grounds while admiring the historical surroundings. The palace also has a museum showcasing artifacts from the royal era, making it not just an architectural marvel but also a hub of history and culture. However, while the palace is beautiful, it's important to note that some parts of the site may feel a bit neglected, with maintenance sometimes falling short of its grandeur. Still, it remains an iconic landmark in Patiala and is a must-visit for history buffs and architecture lovers. Overall, Sheesh Mahal is a wonderful destination that offers an immersive experience into the grandeur of India's royal past, and it's definitely worth a visit if you're in Patiala.

The architecture is wonderful. This place would have big attraction if maintained well. I visited outer portion only. The inner part was not allowed to visit. I felt amazing by architecture at the same time got nervous about the maintenance. If antertai entertainment mixed to rhisbplace it would become centre of attraction. My suggestion is mix the heritage place with entertainment like RANGLA PUNJABI MAHAL.

The palace, with its grand architecture and regal presence, still evokes a sense of awe despite its fading glory. Its once-majestic halls and intricate details are a testament to its past splendor, but neglect has dulled its charm. Crumbling walls, overgrown gardens, and faded frescoes hint at years of poor maintenance, overshadowing its historical significance. While the beauty of the structure is nothing short of the European palaces, the lack of care diminishes the overall experience.

Sheesh Mahal was built behind the main Moti Bagh Palace to serve as a pleasure complex. Gallery area is closed for now or some work is going on. It's not maintained properly.

The Sheesh Mahal Museum at Patiala is housing precious painting, sculptures, medals and decorative art objects. Sheesh Mahal was constructed by the Maharaja of Patiala. A very fine set of miniature paintings based on the themes of "Geet Govind" in Kangra Style, based on Jai Deva's poetry, is greatly commended by the lovers of art. There are very fine specimens of Ivory-work displayed in the galleries, which include chessmen, horse rider, beautifully carved tusks and a fine perforated Ivory piece with carved deities inside. In the Royal room wooden carved furniture, Burmese and Kashmiri objects are displayed. There are also valuable manuscripts in the museum. The Medal Gallery set up in the Sheesh Mahal: Patiala has one of the largest collections of medals and decorations. It is perhaps unmatched in the world in its richness and variety, In this collection, there are at present, more than 3200 Orders, Medals and Decorations, some of which one are very rare in the world. Among the birds on display, pheasants are the most beautiful birds in this gallery. These birds are stuffed and prepared by Rowland ward, an artist and taxidermist of London, in the year 1929-30. Punjab has remained a cradle for the development of folk art from earliest times till the recent period. Sadily it's not open for public nowadays so we won't be able to visit inside the palace.