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
