The Durbar Hall of Qila Mubarak has the silver chariot which was used by the first President of India, Dr Rajendra Prasad, to enter the Rashtrapati Bhavan. The hall is full of huge exquisite chandeliers from Belgium. These were collected by the Maharaja himself. The Sheesh Mahal of the Old Moti Bagh Palace in Patiala is another beautiful monument. It houses the rare medal gallery and the Rang Mahal, which need maintenance. The water tank over which a majestic bridge was erected is without water now.

The historical buildings in Patiala can generate income for the government if these are preserved and popularised as tourist attractions. The palace has the potential of being promoted as an international tourist destination as it is close to Delhi. There can be another 'Golden Triangle', covering Delhi, Patiala and Amritsar, which the government can develop. This triangle could offer rare glimpses of 'relics' associated with the Sikh Gurus. The focus should be on "Heritage Tourism." There should be a planned effort to help owners of havelis, palaces and forts to convert their buildings into heritage destinations. The Neemrana Fort on Jaipur highway is an excellent example of restoration of an old structure to its pristine glory.

Besides heritage tourism, religious tourism has a great potential in Punjab. The Golden Temple attracts a large number of devotees from all over the world. Sirhind, a great Sufi centre on the GT Road, can be a potential destination for Muslims from all over the world. A visit to Malerkotla, where there is a large Muslim population, can be a learning experience. Kapurthala has a beautiful Moorish mosque, besides beautiful palaces designed by French architects.

In Punjab, a number of fairs are held throughout the year - Divali at the Golden Temple, Hola Mohalla at Anandpur, Jor Mela at Fatehgarh Sahib. Each of these is famous for its unique features and attract a number of domestic and international tourists. Some of these traditional fairs can be successfully marketed. The rural sports fair at Qila Raipur, the only of its kind, can be a novel experience for tourists. There are sites in Punjab where eco-tourism can be promoted. Hari Ke Pattan and Kanjhli wetlands near Kapurthala can be developed as major tourist destinations. Most of the people in Punjab would know about the Bharatpur bird sanctuary in Rajasthan but would not be aware that there are beautiful bird sanctuaries in their state.