District- Bathinda, the City of Lakes

Bathinda is known as one of the oldest cities of Punjab which is located in the Malwa Region of northwestern India. Bathinda named after ‘The Kings of Bhati Rajput’, the clan that ruled Punjab in the 6th century, is one of the oldest cities in Punjab. Bathinda is a city and municipal corporation in Punjab, India. The city is the administrative headquarters of the Bathinda District. It is located in northwestern India in the Malwa Region, 227 km (141 mi) west of the capital city of Chandigarh, and is the fifth largest city of Punjab. It is a gem of a place with a strong historical history and rich culture, attracting plenty of tourists from around the world. Amongst the many loud and robust cities of Punjab, Bathinda is comparatively less visited. There are temples, historical monuments, and forts that are dotted across the city. It has five artificial lakes, giving the town the title of “City of Lakes.” In the olden days, the city was known as the Tabarhindh or Tabar-e-hind, the meaning of which is Gateway to India. Today, the city is thriving, which has 2 thermal power plants, an oil refinery, and a fertilizer plant. It is also one of the noted and largest cotton and food grain market in the northern part of the country. In addition to that, this area is one of the largest grape-growing areas. Bathinda is also one of the leading cities for education in the state.

Ruled by many conquerors in the past, Bhatinda attained the status of a princely state under the rule of Ala Singh of Patiala in the 18th century. Bathinda became an independent district post-independence in 1947. Today it is a flourishing city with a contrasting mix of traditional and contemporary culture. This mixture of old and new contributes to the charming and vibrant atmosphere of the place. Bathinda is one of the most industrialized cities in Punjab. Due to that, there are a lot of people who work in these industries. There are many city malls, cinema halls, and movie theatres that are designed to entertain people. Also, there are many tourist spots and gardens, where people can enjoy a day out with their families. There are many pubs, juice bars, and restaurants where people can get a drink and enjoy themselves with their friends. When it comes to celebrations and festivals, Basant Panchami and Lohri are among the best of the Punjabi festivals. Lohri is a harvest festival wherein people gather around a bonfire in merriment to sing and dance. Basant Panchami is a forty-day celebration where fairs are set up for people to come together and enjoy the festivities with food, games, and shopping. The handicrafts in Bathinda are made using the art of weaving and embroidery. Phulkari is an intricate colorful floral embroidery work that is unique to the state of Punjab. The true essence of Bathinda and Punjab at large lies in their gastronomy. The Punjabi cuisine, aromatized with spices and slathered with clarified butter is among India’s most savored street food. Dishes like Butter Chicken, Tandoori Chicken, and Naan Bread have found a place under international cloches. 

Bathinda is divided into the 4 tehsils of Bathinda, Rampura Phul, Maur, and Talwandi Sabo. These tehsils are further divided into the nine blocks of Bathinda, Sangat, Nathana, Rampura, Phul, Maur, Balianwali, Bhagta Bhai ka, and Talwandi Sabo. Bathinda is famous for its rich historic cultural heritage. Tourists can visit many places in and around Bathinda. Most of them are associated with religious heritage. Bathinda is well connected to the other cities of the county such as Mumbai, Jaipur, Delhi, and Ahmedabad by road, train, and air.