Palampur in Himachal Pradesh

Palampur:

Quick Facts:

Country: India

State: Himachal Pradesh

District: Kangra 

Elevation: 1,472-2350 m

Best time to visit: February to June is considered as best period.

Tourist places: Chamunda Devi Temple, the Baijnath Temple, Saurabh Van Vihar, Dhauladhar Range, Palampur Tea Garden


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Palampur is a small, beautiful hill station located in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh India. Located at an elevation between 1472-2350 m above sea level the town is surrounded by tea gardens, pine forests and snowcapped mountains. The town is known for its scenic beauty, mild climate and rich cultural heritage.

Palampur is one of the popular hill stations in Himachal Pradesh and is known for its tea plantations. The place is famous for its temples including the Chamunda Devi Temple and the Baijnath Temple. The Neugal Khad which is a small stream flowing through the town is a popular spot for picnics and walks. The town gets its name from Pulum which means ‘plenty of water.’ Palampur is one of the major tea centres in India and is known as the “the tea capital of North India.”

Palampur has been famous for its tea since the 18th century when the British ruled India. The countryside is layered with multi layers of tea estates, and the oldest tea estate is the Bundla Tea estate which is more than 200 years old.

Agriculture is the main occupation in Palampur, with most of the population engaged in farming. The place is also home to several small-scale industries like handloom weaving, pottery, and honey production.


Palampur tea garden

Seasons/Climate in Palampur

The town experiences humid subtropical climate with not so hot summers and cool winters. 

Summer season: March to June is the summer season. The maximum temperature hovers around 25-30 degree Celsius. Summers are mild and not so warm. 

Monsoon season: July to September is the monsoon season. The fresh air from Pine and Deodar trees and greenery all around makes the town more beautiful. The maximum temperature hovers around 25 degrees Celsius.

Winter season: November to February is the winter season. The minimum temperature can be single digit with freezing cold during peak winter season.

Best time to visit:

Palampur can be visited throughout the year. However, the best season is from February to June.


How to Reach Palampur in Himachal Pradesh

Palampur is easily accessible by rail, road and air. 

By air: Kangra- Gaggal airport is the nearest airport. It is around 40 km from Palampur. There are direct flights from Delhi.

By road: Palampur is well connected from all the major cities around the place. Both private and government bus services are available from around the city. 

By rail: It is well connected by Pathankot Joginder Nagar narrow gauge railway line.

Distance from major cities

Distance from Chandigarh-253 km

Distance from Delhi- 485 km

Distance from Shimla-208 km

Distance from Pathankot- 112 km

Distance from Kasauli- 206 km

Distance from Dharamshala- 35 km

Distance from Dalhousie- 145 km.

Tourism in Palampur

Palampur is one of the most beautiful towns in the lap of nature. Surrounded by tea gardens, pine forests and snowcapped mountains, the town offers a perfect blend of natural beauty with rich cultural heritage. Palampur has some of the best tea plantations which produce some of the tasty tea in the country. The place has something for all ages. It has some of the best adventure activities like paragliding, trekking and rock climbing. The Dhauladhar Range is one of the popular trekking destinations and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape.

saurabh van vihar

Saurabh Van Vihar: 

The park is built in the name of Captain Saurabh Kalia, who was a brave soldier in the Indian army and was martyred during the Kargil War in 1999. The park is spread over an area of 35 acres and is located on the banks of the Neugal Khad. The park is managed by Himachal Pradesh Forest Department. The park is known for its natural beauty. It also contains a small water pond in which one can see different colored fish. There is also good space for walking trails for visitors. 


The place has a small museum which is dedicated to Captain Saurabh Kalia and the Kargil War. The museum has several displays related to war including photographs, weapons and other artifacts. The park is open throughout the year and the best time to visit is March and June when the weather is pleasant, and the park is in full bloom with colorful flowers.

Dhauladhar range

Dhauladhar Range:

Dhauladhar Range is a beautiful mountain range which is a part of lesser Himalayas and situated in Kangra district. Dhauladhar ranges are at an elevation from 3,500 m to 6,000m. Hanuman Tibba is the highest peak which is at a height of 5860 m. Most of the hills in this range is covered with snow at the top almost throughout the year.


The Dhauladhar Range is a popular trekking destination. The trekking trails offer breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, including snow-capped peaks, lush green valleys, and gushing streams. The most popular trekking routes in the Dhauladhar Range include Triund Trek, Indrahar Pass Trek, Kareri Lake Trek, and many more.

Other than trekking ,  the Dhauladhar Range is also famous for its scenic beauty and natural attractions. The range is home to several wildlife species, including the Himalayan black bear, the musk deer, and the snow leopard. The region is also known for its picturesque hill stations, including McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, and Bir Billing.


Baijnath temple

Baijnath temple:

 Baijnath temple is around 16 km from Palampur and is easily accessible by road. It is a famous temple located in Baijnath town of Kangra district. It is a very ancient temple probably built in the 13th century which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is in the form of Vaidyanath and is a popular pilgrimage site for devotees seeking blessings and good health. Built in Nagara style architecture, the temple consists of a main shrine and several small shrines. The temple is beautifully adorned with intricate carvings and sculptures.

The temple is surrounded by beautiful gardens and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, including the snow-capped peaks of the Dhauladhar Range. There are two long inscriptions that are engraved on stone slabs in the main hall of the temple. The inscriptions are written using Sharada script and Takri script. They give us the details of the construction of the temple by the merchants Manyuka and Ahuka. According to history it is believed that Ravan worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple.


Palampur Tea Garden:

Palampur is famous for its tea gardens. It is one of the largest tea producing regions in North India. Tea gardens spread over a large area gives it a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape. The tea produced here has a unique flavor and aroma in taste and is exported to many countries across the globe. Palampur is known as the Tea capital of NorthWestern India. Guides are available for the tourists to make them learn and understand about the tea production process. Visitors can enjoy a cup of freshly brewed tea while enjoying the beautiful surroundings.

The best time to visit the tea gardens in Palampur is between March and June, when the weather is pleasant and greenery all around.  Tourists can also attend the annual tea festival, which is held in Palampur in the month of May. Large number of people visit this festival every year.

Some of the popular tea estates in Palampur include the Wah Tea Estate, the Bir Tea Estate, and the Darang Tea Estate.  Some of these tea estates also offer accommodation options, like cottages and homestays, where visitors can stay and enjoy the tea plantation experience.


Birni Devi Temple

Birni Devi Temple:

The temple is located at an altitude of 2240 m and is a popular shrine in Palampur. It is one of the easy treks and can be reached via Lohna, Upper Bundla and Gallu Langha. From Gallu Langha it is a 3 hours trek to reach Birni Devi temple. There are many local houses who can guide the path to reach the temple. Perched on a hill, the temple gives a stunning view of Kangra Valley and panoramic view of Dhauladhar range. 

Bundla Stream:

It is around 2 km from Palampur. It becomes like a waterfall and swells heavily during monsoon seasons. The walk from Palampur to Bundla offers some breathtaking views of tea gardens.


Langha Mata temple:

Langha Mata temple is an ancient temple situated in the Triund Hills with Dhauladhar Mountain Range all around. Trekking is easy yet a little stiff to reach the temple. The trail covers Bara Bangahal and Chhota Bhangal. It is believed that a local shepherd tribe called Gaddi has built this temple. Camping is also available near the temple.


Jakni Mata temple

Jakni Mata temple:

Jakni Mata temple also known as Mata Ashapuri temple is situated on a hill top and is dedicated to Mata Jakni. It is near Birni temple and offers a breathtaking view of the snow capped peaks of Dhauladhar range. According to the locals it is believed that it is a very ancient temple which is around 450 years old. The temple consists of the main shrine and several small shrines and a sacred pond.The main shrine houses a beautiful idol of Jakhni Mata, which is adorned with gold and silver ornaments. The temple is visited by thousands of people every year.

Jakhni Mata Temple is located around 6 kilometers from the town of Palampur and can be easily reached by road. The temple is open throughout the year. The temple is open from 5 am to 9 pm in the evening on all days.


Tashi Jong Buddhist Monastery:

It is around 15 km from Palampur located in Tashi Jong village. The village is home to the Drugpa Kagyu tradition of Buddhism which is a tradition established around the 8th century. The monastery complex has a main temple, the stupa of Rinpoche and a meditation hall. The monastery is beautifully located surrounded by lush greenery all around. 


Chamunda Devi Temple:

It is a very ancient temple dedicated to Goddess Chamunda Devi. It is one of the most popular and sacred temples for Hindus. Thousands of worshippers visit this temple every year to seek the blessings of Goddess. The original temple was on a hilltop which was difficult for the pilgrims to reach. Thus around 400 years ago this temple was constructed. The temple is around 10 km west of Palampur on the Baner River.

The temple has an interesting history. It is believed that a Brahmin priest  prayed to Devi to seek permission to relocate the temple to an easily accessible location. Goddess appeared in the dreams of the priest and gave him consent. She ordered him to dig in a certain place and install the idol. Later the temple was shifted and now is the present place.


Gopalpur Zoo:

It is also known as Dhauladhar Nature Park which was developed by the HP government. It is a beautiful park with a wide range of animals such as bears, porcupines, monkeys and different species of birds.


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