Renovation work to restore lost grandeur of Shahi Samadhan begins

Ravneet Singh

Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 3

In an attempt to restore the former glory of city’s heritage, the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs has now started repair work of Shahi Samadhan, the resting place of the royal family. The restoration work at Shahi Samadhan is scheduled to be completed in a year along with that of Mohindra Kothi.

“Work at the site has been started and is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year,” said representatives of the construction company entrusted with the task.

“Our company has been allocated the tender of renovation of the resting place of the royal family at Rs 3.50 crore. Paint from the building has fallen to the ground while walls and pillars are rotting. The bricks of walls are visible on all sides, doors and windows are broken and in shady condition give an ugly look to the building,” said Arshdeep Singh Channi, a partner in Competent Constructions. 

“Though ages old building still stands strong, lack of upkeep of the structure has led to fall in number of tourists visiting the site,” he said.

Nearby residents say the authorities had earlier started renovation work at the site but it was not competed,” he added.

“We will renovate the whole premises in a bid to return its former glory. The floors will be set at places wherever required while the boundary wall will also be repaired. We will not make changes in the old cenotaphs, but add lime plaster at other places as per requirement. We have already started the work,” he said.

Shahi Samadhan is the resting place where Rajmata Mohinder Kaur was cremated in 2017. It houses the memorial of Baba Ala Singh, known to be the founder of Patiala along with cenotaphs of other members of the royal family.

The marble open pavilion of the heritage site is the centre of attraction, which also needs renovation.

“We have given work orders for renovation at the heritage site. Contractors have started the work. We will also visit the place to ensure that the work progresses unhindered and the project is completed on time,” said Malwinder Singh Jaggi, Director, Tourism.