The short answer
Baradari Gardens: what visitors should know first
A gentle stop for an hour, not a major sight. Come for old trees, quiet paths and views of the Baradari Palace, ideally in the morning or evening, and combine it with the Kali Devi Temple directly opposite.
History and context
The story behind Baradari Gardens
Baradari Palace and its gardens were built in 1876 for Maharaja Rajinder Singh, with the design credited to his younger brother, Kaur Sahib Ranbir Singh. The family had previously lived in Qila Mubarak.
The palace later served as the state guest house, part of Punjabi University and, from 1972 to 2006, the Punjab State Archives, before conversion into a heritage hotel.
Useful facts
Baradari Gardens facts at a glance
- Location
- Mall Road, Baradari, Patiala
- Experience type
- Heritage garden walk
- Known for
- Old trees, the Baradari Palace and a twelve-door pavilion
- Laid out
- 1870s, for Maharaja Rajinder Singh
- Next door
- Kali Devi Temple, directly opposite
Why it matters
Why Baradari Gardens is worth your time
The gardens and palace date from the 1870s, when the court was moving beyond the old fort. The palace was designed in 1876 by Kaur Sahib Ranbir Singh, younger brother of Maharaja Rajinder Singh, and the gardens were planted as part of the same garden-palace scheme, along with a cricket ground and other leisure features.
The building has since served as a state guest house, a university department and the Punjab State Archives, and is now a heritage hotel. The gardens are therefore a rare piece of the 19th-century royal city that remains open and in use. They show how Patiala's rulers, who embraced new sports and European garden fashions, shaped the modern city beyond the walls.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The old trees
Shaded paths under mature trees planted in the 19th century.
- 02
The Baradari Palace
A white, colonnaded palace with a central twelve-door pavilion, best viewed from across the lawn.
- 03
Combine with Kali Devi
The temple is opposite on Mall Road, making a simple paired visit.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Plan this as a slow walk rather than a sight. The gardens were laid out around the Baradari Palace for Crown Prince Rajinder Singh, who planted rare trees here, and the older trees now give deep shade. Official descriptions mention large fruit trees, a Fern House and a Rock Garden, so ask what is currently open.
From the paths you can see the white colonnaded palace and its central pavilion with twelve doors, the baradari that gave the place its name. It is best seen from a distance across the lawn, in softer light, rather than up close.
The Kali Devi Temple stands directly opposite on Mall Road, so the two fit comfortably into a single outing, with a rest on the benches in between. If you want a longer stay, take tea or a meal at the hotel if non-guests are admitted that day, which is worth confirming by phone.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Visit early or late to avoid midday heat
- Ask locally about access, as part of the grounds belongs to the hotel
- Combine with Kali Devi Temple across the road
- Carry water
- Keep valuables secure in busy Mall Road traffic
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Mall Road, Baradari, Patiala
- Time needed
- 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Best time
- Early morning or late afternoon, October to March
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Flat, shaded paths with benches in places, and few steps. Vehicle access to the edge of the gardens makes this one of the easier sights in Patiala for older visitors.
- Tickets and access
- Check the current access arrangements; the gardens surround a hotel and parts may be limited. Garden entry has not been confirmed as free or ticketed, so ask locally.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Baradari Gardens
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Flat, shaded paths with benches in places, and few steps. Vehicle access to the edge of the gardens makes this one of the easier sights in Patiala for older visitors.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Why is it called Baradari?
A baradari is a pavilion with twelve doors, and the palace here is centred on one.
Is there an entry fee?
Not confirmed. Ask locally before you go, as part of the grounds belongs to the hotel.
What else is nearby?
The Kali Devi Temple stands opposite on Mall Road.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
