terraced paddy fields, forests of pine and deodar and lush tree plantations. Palampur which essentially comes from the word ‘pulum’ meaning abundant water is famed for its mild climate and salubrious environs. The pine scented air is invigorating and the scenery inspiring. So come to Palampur to unwind and get rejuvenated.
Historically Speaking
Palampur once formed a part of the local Sikh Kingdom but later it came under the British. The hillstation has some fine colonial architecture built during British times. Palampur came into being when an Englishman, Dr. Jameson who was the Superintendent of Botanical Gardens introduced the tea
bush from Almora in 1849. The bush thrived and so did the town which became a focal point of the European tea estate owners. Since then the Kangra tea of Palampur has been known internationally acclaimed.
Shopping
You can do quite a bit of it at Palampur! You simply must buy the delicate Kangra tea at Bharmour or the many factory outlets just outside Palampur. Other good buys are Tibetan handicrafts, carpets, woollens, thangka paintings and prints.Events
Holi is celebrated with great gusto in Palampur. A festival of colour, Holi has special significance in this district. A day before Holi , the women make up baskets of small twig from the kamal tree, lined with thread, jaggery and pots of coloured water. at night little ''holikas'' (bonfire)
are lit all over the town. Next day before they commence playing Holi these baskets are offered to elderly men of the town.
EventsHoli is celebrated with great gusto in Palampur. A festival of colour, Holi has special significance in this district. A day before Holi , the women make up baskets of small twig from the kamal tree, lined with thread, jaggery and pots of coloured water. at night little ''holikas'' (bonfire) are lit all over the town. Next day before they commence playing Holi these baskets are offered to elderly men of the town. | |||||||
Night OutThere are a few cafes in this little hill station. Try the Pizzicato café - they make the most sumptuous dark chocolate pastry and with fat free yogurt to boot!
| |||||||
ActivitiesThe tea gardens in and around town are great for taking those long walks you have been promising yourself. | |||||||
SightsPalampur has old forts and temples such as the five century''s old Temple of Bundlamata and the Chamundadevi Temple . The Kangra valley’s distinctive art style survives in the lovely little village of Andretta, 14 km south of Palampur. The Baijnath Temple is about 16 km from Palampur. It is said that Ravana built this temple to worship Lord Shiva. It is beautiful and it''s amazing monuments are worth seeing. The Dhauladhar National Park at Gopalpur , 13 km from Palampur has a mini zoo with black bear, leopard, lion, red fox and several types of deer such as goral and sambar. Neughal Khad , a 305 meters wide abyss that drops over a 100 meters to the Bundla stream. The stream is a thin streak running over stony ground far below the cliff. During the monsoon season, it swells and rages - madly over the entire width of the chasm taking stones and boulders along with it and makes loud roaring noise like thunder. Neugal Khad offers a fine view of the Dhauladhar range. hide |