P
alampur
is the tea capital of northwest India. Set on the
rising slopes of Kangra Valley before they merge with
the Dauladhar 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.
CITIES
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 thethickly 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.
Gopalpur: Situated
13-km away from the town, Gopalpur consists of a mini
zoo.
TEMPLES
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.
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.
Temple of
Bundelmata: Walk through
tea gardens and open fields or drive to reach this
temple built about five centuries ago.
OTHERS
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 mounta
in
ranges set like an amphitheatre, offer opportunities
for high altitude and cross-country flying for more
than 200-km.
Tea Factory: The
cooperative society tea factory provides an insight to
the processing of Kangra Tea.
Al-Hilal: A
few kilometres 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
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