Discover Barnala: Gurudwaras, temples and history

Barnala brings together religious sites, traces of history and lively market traditions. The former capital of the Patiala Riyasat offers several ways to explore the city’s history and religious sites. Nearby destinations can also add their own focus to your stay.

Historic traces in Barnala

The historic Gurudwara Dera Baba Gandha Singh is located on Bajakhana Road in Barnala. Its history is connected with the langar: when Dera Baba Gandha Singh was established, langar was regularly served in the fort. The oven associated with Baba Ala Singh’s langar is still located in the fort today. This place thus brings together religious significance and a tangible historical memory.

Quilla Mahal is the oldest part of the city. Barnala’s fort once stood here, and many old buildings remain in the area. Together with Barnala’s former role as the capital of the Patiala Riyasat, Quilla Mahal offers another way to explore the city’s history. Those interested in older buildings and the town’s past will find a different focus here than at the religious sites.

Gurudwaras and temples

Barnala’s religious sites vary in their focus. Geeta Bhawan is a Radha-Krishna temple and is considered a popular place to visit in Barnala. Gurudwara Nanaksar Thath is on the road from Court Chowk to ITI Road, Nanaksar Road. Their different names and dedications can help you choose which places to visit according to your interests.

Tila of Baba Tehal Das combines a Gurudwara with a temple. People of all religions revere the site, which is also a tourist attraction. Unlike sites associated with a single religious tradition, Tila of Baba Tehal Das therefore adds a further, interfaith perspective to exploring Barnala.

Nearby destinations and market traditions

There are also religious and historic destinations in the surrounding area. In Handiaya, about six kilometres from Barnala, stands Gurudwara Gurusar Pakka Sahib Patshahi Nouvin. In Sekha, about seven kilometres from Barnala, Gurudwara Patshahi Naumi stands at the place where Guru Teg Bahadur meditated during his stay in Sekha. These distances offer a practical guide if you would like to include these destinations alongside Barnala in your plans.

West of Sekha’s main village, the Theh is still visible and is considered a remnant of the former settlement. A visit to Sekha can therefore also include a look at the historic landscape. The Gurudwaras and the Theh offer a different focus for an outing than the older buildings and religious sites in Barnala itself.

Large livestock markets are held in Dhanaula. If you want to plan your trip around a livestock market, check the dates in advance. A report dated 31 August 2020 also described Dhanaula as an important market for wooden toys in Barnala district—a historical reference to the town’s craft tradition.

Getting there and choosing where to stay

Regular train services provide good connections between Barnala and other major cities in the country. There are also regular bus services to Barnala from other major cities. Check current timetables before travelling, as service frequencies may change.

When looking for a holiday rental in Barnala, it helps to first consider your travel interests: are Quilla Mahal and the city’s religious sites your main focus, or would you also like to include Handiaya and Sekha, as well as the markets in Dhanaula?

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Bihla, Barnala, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, Rupnagar, Ludhiana, Bathinda, Hoshiarpur.

Go to the main travel overview: Punjab.