Sat Sri Akal and warm greetings to all listeners around the world. I’m Ravee Singh Ahluwalia, founder of the Patiala Foundation – an organization committed to building sustainable communities through grassroots action.

On this Earth Day 2025, I invite you to reflect on a truth that is becoming impossible to ignore: Our planet doesn’t need saving. We do. What Earth needs is for us to reclaim our relationship with nature — with every tree we plant, every pond we rejuvenate, and every ounce of waste we compost.

At Patiala Foundation, our efforts range from creating eco-conscious student societies, setting up Dry Leaf Composters in households and public parks, to our most recent collaboration with IIT Madras and ICCW for India’s first Clean & Safe Drinking Water Project in Ranbirpura. We use natural water purification systems like vetiver pontoons and canna indica islands to rejuvenate dying ponds — blending tradition with innovation.

To all the creators out there — you have the power to inspire action. Whether you sing, speak, or shoot — create content that speaks for the soil, the water, the forests, and the future. Make sustainability your story.

This Earth Day, let’s not just post about the planet. Let’s act for it.

Happy Earth Day. Let’s grow together.

In this episode, we introduce the listeners to the rich history of Yadavindra Gardens, located in Pinjore, Haryana. The episode delves into the origins of the gardens, constructed in the Mughal era under Fidai Khan and how it has evolved over the centuries. The listeners are given a brief instructions of the Heritage Walk curated by the Patiala Foundation's iHERITAGE initiative in collaboration with Haryana Tourism. Tune in to understand the instructions of this beautifully designed walk, which offers detailed historical insights via scannable QR codes throughout the route.

Welcome to 'Echoes of Heritage,' the podcast where each episode unlocks the stories embedded in the stones and landscapes of India’s most treasured sites. I’m Ravee singh Ahluwalia, your guide on this journey through time and tradition. This podcast is brought to you by the Patiala Foundation, dedicated to preserving our cultural heritage and sharing it with the world through the iHERITAGE project.

For More details visit

www.patialafoundation.org

Greetings from Patiala Foundation!

Welcome to Patiala Heritage Walk! This walk covers 6 heritage sites of Patiala starting from Shahi Samadhan and ending at Qila Mubarak. Patiala Heritage Walk is a specially curated trail designed by us to showcase the forgotten legacy of the Maharajas and the fine artisanship of Punjab to the tourists and new-generation inhabitants of the locality. Follow this e-Book to explore the location by yourself. Please remember, that to access this e-Book, an active internet connection is required

Also, a Pause point is a location where the trail has to pause to explore the history of the site. It can be identified by a Brown Board, with a QR code and Patiala Foundation’s logo

The instructions are as follows:

How to reach to the starting point and the connectivity from one pause point to the other is also compiled in this book. The book also contains the history of each heritage site. 

Hope you enjoy this walk. 

Kindly give us feedback in the attached links at the end of the book.

Greetings from Patiala Foundation!

Welcome to Patiala Heritage Walk! This walk covers 6 heritage sites of Patiala starting from Shahi Samadhan and ending at Qila Mubarak. Patiala Heritage Walk is a specially curated trail designed by us to showcase the forgotten legacy of the Maharajas and the fine artisanship of Punjab to the tourists and new-generation inhabitants of the locality. Follow this e-Book to explore the location by yourself. Alternatively, you can also book a volunteer for a guided tour using the QR code provided on this page-2 of the e-Book. The whole journey route is also given on Page-4.

To conduct the Walk by yourself, please follow the instructions given on this page. The instructions are as follows:

How to reach to the starting point and the connectivity from one pause point to the other is also compiled in this book. The book also contains the history of each heritage site. 

Hope you enjoy this walk. 

Kindly give us feedback in the attached links at the end of the book.

Shahi Samadhan Starting point of Patiala Heritage Walk in HINDI

Qila Mubarak

Dating from 1764, the royal fort complex occupies ten acres and comprises inner and outer precincts, each with several buildings in a synthesis of Mughal and Rajasthani styles. It was the royal family’s residence until the mid 19thcentury. The inner Qila Androon, containing the private royal chambers, is divided into nine courts, including the Sheesh Mahal, elaborately decorated by Rajasthani and Kangra artists with mirror-work and frescoes depicting themes from Hindu epics. The outer perimeter, entered through the majestic main gate, includes the Jalau Khana, Lassi Khana (kitchens), Sard Khana (cool room), Ram Baas (guest quarters) and Durbar Hall. Notable for its superb ceiling and huge chandeliers of Bohemian crystal, the Durbar Hall currently displays a collection of armour, paintings and royal treasures, including a solid silver state carriage, a jade dagger belonging to Guru Gobind Singh, and the sword of the mighty Persian emperor Nadir Shah, who invaded India in 1739.

Darshini Deori

It is one of the gates outside the Qila Mubarak. Its importance lies in its strategic location because it was constructed so that people could watch the royal procession from there.

Bartan Bazaar

Bartan Bazaar is one of the prominent markets around Qila Mubarak. One can see the Kalaiwala  and observe the dyeing process. There are several utensils shops here. One can also find other local crafts such as Jutti, Paranda, Phulkari and traditional food items.

Kalai: This traditional skill involves giving a metallic coating over brass and copper utensils so that they do not wear out with heat and retain their shine.

Chhatta Nanumal

An arch-shaped structure built over the road and given the name of Diwan Nanumal, who was among the two diwans to get such a privilege. The place was used for public hearings by him. Diwan Magniram was the other person upon whom this privilege was bestowed.