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The Bhagat Singh Museum, officially known as the Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh Museum, is a museum in Punjab’s Khatkar Kalan village that is dedicated to the revolutionary who fought for India’s freedom. The museum has on display a number of items that either belonged to Bhagat Singh or were associated with him such as photographs, a copy of the Lahore Conspiracy case declaring his death sentence, pages from his diary, his copy of the Bhagavad Gita, newspaper clippings and much more. The museum also houses photographs pertaining to the Kuka movement, Gadar Party as well as other freedom fighters.
Bhagat Singh Museum Location
Photo: Kjstyles / Wikimedia Commons
The Bhagat Singh Museum is located in the Khatkar Kalan Village of Punjab which lies outside the Banga Town which is part of the state’s Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar district. This is the very village where Shaheed Bhagat Singh lived for a short while and his ancestral home is situated less than a kilometre away from the museum.
How To Reach The Bhagat Singh Museum
Photo: Mankirat SINGH 2 / Wikimedia Commons
The Bhagat Singh Museum can be reached by car or by train:
By car: The museum is located approximately 49 km from the city of Jalandhar and therefore it takes somewhere about 50 minutes to an hour to get here by car. It would cost upwards of INR 500 to hire a cab/taxi to get there.
By train: The Phagwara Junction happens to be the railway station located closest to the Bhagat Singh Museum. It is located at a distance of about 35 km from the museum and is well connected to the rest of the states and some parts of the country too. You can hire a taxi/cab to get to the museum from there; it would take approximately 35 to 40 minutes to get here.
By flight: The closest airport to Khatkar Kalan is the newly opened Adampur Airport located in Jalandhar, at a distance of about 52 km. You can hire a cab or taxi to get to the village and it would take about an hour to cover this distance.
Places To Visit Around The Bhagat Singh Museum
The following is a list of 5 places that you can visit near the Bhagat Singh Museum in Khatkar Kalan:
1. Bhagat Singh’s Ancestral Home
Photo: Khalid Mahmood / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Bhagat Singh’s ancestral home in Khatkar Kalan is located less than a kilometre from the Bhagat Singh Museum and is where this revolutionary stayed at as a child. A massive haveli, this site is the only place in India where he is said to have stayed, given that he was born in what is now part of Pakistan. This house was built by his great-grandfather and features memorabilia and writings related to Bhagat Singh and other revolutionaries. Many say that Bhagat Singh used to visit this house with his grandfather during the summers.
Timings: 7:30 AM – 5 PM
Entry Fee: Free
Ideal Duration: 1 hour
2. Lodhi Fort
Photo: Russ Bowling / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Also known as Purana Qila, the Lodhi Fort is a historical fort situated on the banks of the Satluj River near Ludhiana. It was constructed by Sikander Lodhi in the late 15th century and served as his military base. Although the structure is now in ruins, it was the gateway to Lodhi’s empire and owing to its strategic location, it was well maintained even under Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s rule. However, the arrival of the Britishers led to its ruin but the structure is still reminiscent of its beautiful erstwhile Islamic architecture. It is surrounded by lush green lawns.
Timings: 6 AM – 7:30 PM
Entry Fee: Free
Ideal Duration: 1 – 2 hours
3. Phillaur Fort
Photo: Smloverboy4 / Wikimedia Commons
The Phillaur Fort dates back to the 17th century when it was initially constructed as a caravansarai under the reign of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and then converted into a fort in the 18th century during the rule of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and played a key role as a defensive structure against invasions. The fort, built using lime mortar as well as brick, is famous for its mix of Mughal and Sikh architectures and features massive gates, fortified walls, detailed carvings, paintings, mirror work etc. It comprises a museum too that houses various artefacts pertaining to Punjab.
Timings: Sunrise to sunset (Open only on Thursdays)
Entry Fee: Free
Ideal Duration: 1 – 2 hours
4. Saidpur Satluj Beach
Photo: Parmar-ajn / Wikimedia Commons
A calm and picturesque location in Saidpur Khard, the Saidpur Satluj Beach is a widely visited attraction not too far from the Bhagat Singh Museum. It is a tranquil site away from the busy city and is a great place to relax, take a stroll along the shore, watch the sunset etc. However, given that it isn’t a beach in the conventional sense since there is grassland around it, there aren’t any water activities offered here. It is also advisable to not go swimming here.
Timings: Open 24 hours
Entry Fee: Free
Ideal Duration: 1 – 2 hours
5. St. Mary’s Cathedral
Photo: Sushil Kumar / Wikimedia Commons
Situated within the Jalandhar cantonment, St. Mary’s Cathedral is a well-known cathedral that also serves as the seat of the bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Jalandhar. It was built sometime in the mid-19th century and was initially under the Diocese of Lahore which is now in Pakistan. In the late 20th century, a new cathedral was built on this spot. The structure features two minarets with domes on top and clocks fitted into them, a statue of Christ, stained glass etc. The cathedral’s premises comprise green lawns, palm trees and colourful flowers.
Timings: 7 AM – 6:30 PM
Entry Fee: Free
Ideal Duration: 30 – 45 minutes
Where To Stay
Photo: Kgbo / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
There aren’t a lot of accommodation options close to the Bhagat Singh Museum itself since the Kharkar Kalan village is relatively small but you can find hotels, guesthouses, Airbnbs etc. a little away from here and in cities, such as in Jalandhar. You can easily drive to the museum from your accommodation. They also offer varying services including breakfast, WiFi, air conditioning, parking etc. depending on what kind of accommodation you pick.
Where To Eat
Photo: Hongkongfoodlover123 / Wikimedia Commons
You might come across a few roadside dhabas in Khatkar Kalan that serve delicious Punjabi food and beverages. However, there aren’t any restaurants or cafes in the immediate vicinity of the Bhagat Singh Museum; you would need to go to a bigger city such as Jalandhar if you’re looking for a fine dining experience or for continental food. You would, however, find some stalls serving snacks and tea along the road when on the way to the village or on your way back.
Best Time To Visit
Photo: Srikant.c / Wikimedia Commons
The best time to visit the Bhagat Singh Museum is during the winter months from October to March since the weather is cool and pleasant during this time. The summer months can get quite hot and humid which can make sightseeing and other outdoor activities a little unpleasant. It is also best to visit the museum during the morning when there are usually fewer visitors.
Other Factors To Consider
Photo: Alicia Nijdam / Wikimedia Commons
Here are some other things to keep in mind when visiting the Bhagat Singh Museum:
Timings: The museum is open on all days from 10 AM – 4:20 PM except on Mondays and public holidays. It is advisable to visit the museum in the morning so as to be able to avoid the crowds. It would take about an hour to explore the entire museum.
Entry Fee: Entry into the Bhagat Singh Museum is absolutely free of cost. You can visit the museum without having to book your visit in advance.
Also keep in mind that photography and videography are prohibited inside the Bhagat Singh Museum, even using a mobile camera.
Bhagat Singh was a prominent figure in the history of India’s independence struggle against the Britishers and the Bhagat Singh Museum in Khatkar Kalan is a great way to learn about him, his past and other revolutionaries who were from the region. Moreover, the museum’s proximity to his ancestral home is nothing short of a bonus as it is an opportunity to see where he spent part of his childhood, especially since he was born in what is currently Pakistan. With TripXL, you can plan your perfect trip to not only the museum but also to its surrounding attractions.
Cover Photo: Ashubhalaa / Wikimedia Commons
