From New Delhi
Palampur is a gorgeous
hill station in India’s Kangra Valley …pristine beauty and enchanting
surroundings…a town that entices you to a getaway at any time of the year. The
monsoons are a spectaculat time to be here… when the Bundla River crashes down the
Neughal Khad in a mighty waterfall…when countless little brooks and streams burst
forth.
The plateau of Palampur
(1219 metres) nestles amidst the snow-capped peaks of the Dhauladhar Range, flanked by
terraced paddy fields, forests of pine and deodar and lush tree plantations. The mountains
offer some fabulous trekking trails - through the Sanghar Pass to Holi and Bharmour; Waru
Pass onto Chamba; the Shinghar Pass to Holi; the Indrahar Pass to Dharamsala; and the
Jalsu Pass from Bharmour to Baijnath.
Palampur has old forts
and temples such as the five centuries 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
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.
Taragarh, an idyllic retreat 12 km from Palampur, is
set amidst picturesque tea estates at the foot of the Dhauladhars. You can ride up on
mountain bikes to the little Tibetan village of Tashijong Gompa known for its thangka
paintings, carpet weaving and block printing. Neughal
Park, 1 km from Palampur, affords an awe-inspiring view of the mighty Dhauladhar
mountains and the River Neughal.
The twin villages of Bir and Billing are excellent hang gliding and
para-gliding grounds and are famous for their Buddhist Monasteries and Tibetan
handicrafts. The Kangra Tea Factory is your best bet for picking up genuine tea and for
seeing the entire procedure of plucking, picking and processing tealeaves |
