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Palampur
is the tea capital of northwest India. Set on the rising slopes of
Kangra
Valley before they merge with the Dhauladhar ranges. But
tea is just one aspect that makes Palampur a special resort.
Abundance of water and proximity to the mountains has endowed it
with mild climate. The town has derived its name from the local word
"pulum', meaning lots of water. Palampur was a part of the
local Sikh kingdom and later on came under the British rule.
The place enjoys a healthy climate and the pine scented air is said
to have curative properties. The scenery presents a sublime and
beautiful contrast- the plain presents a picture of rural loveliness
and repose, while the hills are majestic. Behind this town stands
the high ranges of Dhauladhar Mountains, whose peaks remain, covered
for most part of the year. Situated in and about the middle of the
Kangra
Valley, it is convenient base to explore the
surroundings.
This
hill station is not only known for its numerous tea gardens and
paddy fields but it also known for its colonial architecture and
temples. Palampur and places around it are popular for adventure
sports like hang-gliding and trekking.
PRIME ATTRACTIONS
Neughal Khad: Close
to the temple of Bundelmata temple, is this 300-metre-wide chasm
through which the Neugal stream flows.
Andretta: The
charming village, spread below the thickly wooded hill and sprawling
plains of the Kangra Valley was once the home of the famous painter
Sardar Sobha Singh and the playwright Ms Norah Richards. Now
Andretta is a centre for various artistic activities such as pottery
and is just 13-km away from Palampur.
Baijnath: Noted
for it's ancient temple, which was built in 804 A.D. and dedicated
to Shiva Vaidyanatha. Its tall shikhara carved in stone is framed by
the imposing snow capped peaks of Dhauladhars. The linga enshrined
in its sanctum is one of the 12 jyotirlingas in the country. Every
year during the Shivratri fair, thousands of pilgrims descend on
Baijnath for the colourful fair and festivities. It is 16-km from
Palampur and 56-km from Dharamsala.
Bir
and Billing:
Sheltered
by the mountains and surrounded by tea gardens, Bir serves as a
landing ground for hang & Para gliders as well as known for it's
Buddhist monasteries and Tibetan handicrafts. One of the best
aero-sports sites in the world, Billing is 14-km from Bir. The
mountain ranges set like an amphitheatre, offer opportunities for
high altitude and cross-country flying for more than 200-km.
Chamunda Devi: The
famous temple dedicated to the goddess Chamunda is 25-kms away from
Plampur and Yatri Niwas here provides an excellent accommodation for
the visitors.
Gopalpur: Situated
13-km away from the town, Gopalpur consists of a mini zoo.
Tea Factory: The
cooperative society tea factory provides an insight to the
processing of Kangra Tea.
Temple of Bundelmata: Walk
through tea gardens and open fields or drive to reach this temple
built about five centuries ago.
Al-Hilal: A
few kilometers from the city of Palampur is Al-Hilal, a place of
unparalleled charm. During the conquests of Kangra by Maharaja
Renjit Singh, this place was a military bastion.
ADVENTURE
Trekking:
Several
trek routes lead out of Palampur, particularly over the Dhauladhar
Mountains towards the town of Chamba.
Treks of 5-8 days duration are viable from May to October. Some of
the interesting treks from Palampur include Palampur to Holi
over the Shingar pass, Palampur to Dharamsala
via Indrahar Pass and Baijnath to Manali
over the Thamsar pass.
Hang/Paragliding: Twenty-eight
kilometers from Palampur is an important center for the adventure
sport of hang/paragliding. It also has numerous Buddhist monuments
and is famous for its Tibetan handicrafts. The town of Billing,
which is 42 km from Palampur and 14 km from Bir, is also an
important center for hang-gliding.
Fishing: There
are ample opportunities for the angler between 1st March to 1st June
and 1st September to end of October for Mahaseer fishing in and
around Dehra Gopipur, Nadaun and Pong Dam.
HOW TO GET THERE
Rail: Palampur
does not have an airport or railway station. The nearest railway
station is at Maranda, which is 2-km from Palampur and on the
narrow-gauge line between Pathankot and
Joginder Nagar. The main bus station is located 1-km south of
the main Bazaar. There is frequent bus service from Palampur to
Dharamshala,
Mandi, and
Pathankot. Travelers can also make use of taxis to travel to these
towns from Palampur.
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel
T-Bud is run by the HTPDC at Palampur. One of the most luxurious
places to stay in the region in is Taragarh at the Taragarh
Palace, 8-km to the east of Baijnath.
CLIMATE
The
weather in Palampur is moderate. Summers are mild and winters are
cold but pleasant. It experiences southwestern monsoon rains in
July-September.
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
In
the month of March, Holi's riot of colours and celebration of spring
comes with laughter and vitality. There are exuberant celebrations
at Palampur and Sujanpur.
NEARBY
CITIES
Maranda:
2-km
Gopalpur: 13-km
Bir: 14-km
Baijnath: 16-km
Andretta: 13-km
Billing: 42-km
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