Palampur

[nikhil]

The Kangra valley of which Palampur (1249m) is a major station, was the Trigarta of old. It was one of the leading hill states. In local parlance, the word for lot of water is "pulum". This is what has given Palampur its name and its water that has given the valley so much of its character. Countless streams and brooks criss-cross the landscape and to this place and in their intricate mesh, hold tea gardens and rice fields. The town came into being when the tea bush was introduced in the 19th century and Palampur became a focus for the planters. Kangra tea, with its center at Palampur, has been internationally acclaimed since then.

APPROACH

AIR: Nearest airport is at Gaggal after which it is accessible by road.

RAIL: Palampur is connected by narrow gauge railway from Pathankot.

ROAD: Palampur is also accessible by road and there are many buses from Dharamshala 40 kms, Kangra 18 kms, Kulu-Manali 205 kms & Shimla 259 kms.

WHAT TO SEE

Neugal Khad: Close to the temple of Bundlamata, is this 300 m wide chasm, through which the Bundla stream flows. Immediately ahead are the Dhauladhar mountains.

BANDLA: Spread over an area of 4kms., the estate has a modern tea factory.

ANDRETTA: Home of the famous artist, SOBHA SINGH and late play-writer. Ms. NORA RICHARDS. There are beautiful paintings worth seeing in their private houses. It affords an excellent view of Dhauladhar range.

CHAMUNDA DEVI: The famous temple dedicated to the goddess Chamunda is 25 kms. away and Yatri Niwas here provides an excellent accommodation for the visitors.

BAIJNATH: At a distance of 16kms. from Palampur, Baijnath is a pilgrimage centres of the Hindus in Kangra Distt. Here one finds the oldest existing Shiva temple in the country, believed to have been originally built by the Pandavas close to the Binwa Khad.

Bir (24 km): There is a Tibetan monastery here.

Adventure: Several trek routes lead out of Palampur, especially over the Dhauladhar mountains towards Chamba. Some important ones are over the Sanghar pass to Bharmour via Holi and from Baijnath over the Jalsu pass to Bharmour.

[Blazer]

My friend is from Palampur and we recently visited his home town and it is really a paradise. It was raining the day we visited it and it really looked a wonder full place.

[watermark]

The name resembles one in Gujarat - Palanpur. The city is famous for its diamond heritage business. Situated in Sabarkantha district in Gujarat, a lot of entrepreneurs share their ancestral home with the city.