Patiala has long been a city of patronage. Its courts supported musicians, poets and craftsmen; its name is carried by a school of classical music, by a style of turban and by a famously generous measure. It is a city where hospitality is treated as an art.
The fort at the heart of the city
Qila Mubarak, the 18th-century fort around which Patiala grew, sits at the city’s centre. Its gateways, courtyards and painted halls have watched over centuries of ceremony. For three days in April 2027, they become the stage for Saaj.
Ran Baas The Palace
Within the fort complex, Ran Baas — once a royal residence — has been restored as a heritage hotel by The Park Hotels. It is Saaj’s host venue: where the Curtain Raiser unfolds, and where festival guests are welcomed.
A fort and a palace, opened as one.
Choosing Patiala is a statement. Saaj does not take Panjab’s culture to a convention hall; it brings the world to Panjab, to a place built for celebration.
— Saaj Editorial
