Figure :
Location :-
Altitude :-
Places Of Interest :-
Best Time To Visit :- |
Himachal Pradesh
1,220m
Neugal Khad, Andretta, Tea Factory
March to June and mid-September to November |
Palampur 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 mountain 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 .