Palampur, Himachal Pradesh
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Palampur, Himachal Pradesh
Palampur | |
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Palampur is a hilly town and a municipal council in Kangra district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is situated at about 1250m above sea level. Palampur is famous for its picturesque and snow clad mountains and tea gardens. Tea gardens are located between 800-1600 meters above mean sea level. Tea was first introduced way back when Dr. Jameson, the Superintendent of Botanical Garden Peshawar, North West province and Saharanpur visited Kangra district in 1849.
Geography
Palampur is located at 32°07′N 76°32′E / 32.12°N 76.53°E[1]. This place is located in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh. Most important characteristic of Palampur is the frequent rains. Known for its "London-like" climate. Paraglider pilots often land near Palampur after launching from Billing, about 20 kilometres away, on cross-country flights. This place is basically known for its beautiful tea gardens and locations. It was devastated by an earthquake in 1905. Prior to that, the tea of this town had a good market. But after the earthquake it could not find lost glory. In 1977 an agriculture university was setup here and it has led to improvement in the farming community of Himachal Pradesh. This place has virtually become the hub of research in agriculture with the setting up of Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology along with the agriculture university and the Regional Station of Indian Veterinary Research Institute (ICAR).
History
Palampur got its name from the word pulum that means abundant water. It was a part of the local Sikh kingdom and later came under the British rule. 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.
In and around Palampur
AIMA : It is a densely populated area of Palampur.
CHIMBARHAAR : It's a riverside location.
BUNDLA : An ancient temple of Vindyavasini is located here.
GHUGGAR : Densely inhabited area.
LOHNA : Snow-laden hills that surround this area with tea-gardens makes it a treat to be there.
PALAMPUR BAZAAR: Cool place to hang out in the evening.
HOLTA CANTONMENT: Veterinary college is the main attraction of this place.
TEA FACTORY : At the very start of town, the tea factory of the co-operative society, offers an insight to the processing of Kangra tea.
CHURCH OF St.JOHN : This attractive church , very close to the hotel and surrounded by poinsettias, is built on a low rise. This was reconstructed in 1929 and has several memorial tables.
TEMPLE OF BUNDLMATA : One can walk through tea gardens and open fields or drive to reach this historical temple which was originally built about five centuries ago.
NEUGAL KHAD AND CAFE : Close to the temple of Bundlamata, is this 300m wide chasm, through which the Bundla stream flows.Immediately ahead are the Dhauladhar mountain.Neugal is a good place to hang out during hot summer evenings, the main attraction is the Cafe situated next to the Neugal rivelut.
GOPALPUR : 10 km from Palampur is Gopalpur where the Forest Department has set up a zoo called Dhauldhar Nature Park
TASHIJONG : The Tibetan monastery of Tashijong is one of the many built after the Dalai Lama settled in McLeodganj.
CHAMUNDA : Legend has it that two demons. Chand and Mund tried to harass the goddess Ambika. Enraged, Ambika knitted her brows and from their folds emerged a terrifying from of Kali, who slew the demons. Pleased, Ambika declared that Kali would now be worshipped here as `Chamunda'.
ANDRETTA : The Artist's Village thumb|Sobha Singh Some places in the world are made for inspiration. Kangra Valley, with its spectacular backdrop of the mighty Dhauladhar, the Milky Mountains, has forever been known to attract artists, the Kangra school of miniature painting being just one notable example. What Kangra was to art some 200 years ago. Andretta, a tiny village 14 km south of Palampur, is to artist in the present century. Nestling amongst the rollina plains of Kangra Valley, with a wide panorama of snowy mountams its constant backdrop, Andretta has attracted artists of many hues. The village was brought to prominence by Ms. Norah Richards, the famous writer and dramatist.Equally well known, and as sensitively marked, was her contemporary Sir Sobha Singh. Honored with the title of Padma Shri, Sobha Singh's paintings perhaps show the influence of the Kangra school, especially in the use of colours and their shades.Sobha Singh Art gallery is the main attraction of this place. For info on Sobha Singh you can visit: http://www.sobhasinghartist.com/
TARAGARH PALACE : The palace of the crescent moon Taragarh, heritage property build by Nawab of Bahawalpur and was named after the glass pleasure pavilion he built here which is now converted into a temple. However now it has been turned into Taragarh Palace Hotel.Sherbing is a gigantic monastery also home to the pre- eminent Tal Sti Rimpoche. There are huge stupas and grandly conceived monastery in the middle of the forest. The Buddhist temple here contains an immense statue of Buddha. The Rimpoche allows the people between 2 and 4 in the afternoon; everyone is welcomed for the darshan.
SUJANPUR TIRA : 42 km from Palampur situated on the banks of foaming Beas, the historical town Sujanpur Tira (Tira mean palace) was built by Raja Sandra Chand, who had ascended to the throne when only ten years of age. The Tira Palace was the winter residence of Sansar Chand and the Alampur palace on the other side of the Beas was his summer resort. The townshipis picturesque having a vast natural ‘chaugan’ (flat ground)and grassy plain surrounded by the trees where traditional annual fair of holi is held for four days.The temple of Gauri Shankar has life size statues of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati in Ashatadhathu. A real wealth of paintings lies in the Narbadeshwar temple in the town.Hardly any inch of the space has been left anadorned. The town has also the temple of Lord Ganesha and Laxmi Narayan. Appropriately, the town was once a major trade center and known for the craftmanship of the jewellers.
BAIJNATH : Baijnath also known as Kigram, was once the capital of the Kirat kings of Kangra.One of the most remarkable monuments of the Kangra valley is the temple of Baijnath. Baijnath is situated East of Palampur on the main road that leads from the Palampur to Mandi. Baijnath is in reality the appellation of the chief temple dedicated to Siva Vaidyanatha (“Lord of Physicians”) by which the town itself has become known. The original name of the town was Kiragrama. This we learn from the two extensive Sarada inscriptions incised on stone slabs, which in elegant and florid Sanskrit verse give the history of the foundation of a temple, by two local merchants. "There is in Trigarata,the pleasant village of Kiragrama, the home of numerous virtues where the river called Binduka, leaping from the lap of the mountain, with glittering wide-waves resembling playing-balls, merrily plays, like a bright maiden in the first bloom of youth. That village is protected by the strong-armed Rajanaka Lakshmana." The river Binduka, so well described by the poet, is the modern Binwa, a tributary of the Beas.The date of the inscription is expressed both in the Saptarshi and in the Saka eras.
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.
Adventure
Several trek routes lead out of Palampur, particularly over the Dhauladhar Mountains towards the town of Chamba. Some important treks are over the Sanghar pass to Bharmaur via Holi, the forest trek from Mcleodganj to Treund and from Baijnath over the Jalsu pass to Bharmaur. A four-day trek will lead the traveler to Holi, via Waru La.Twenty-eight kilometers from Palampur is an important center for the adventure sport of hang/paragliding. It also has numerous Buddhist monuments and is famous for its Tibetan handicrafts. The town of Billing, which is 42 km from Palampur and 14 km from Bir, is also an important center for hang-gliding. Pong Dam reservoir is 65 km from Pathankot and 115 km from Dharamsala. This reservoir was created in 1975-76 with the construction of Pong Dam on the Beas river. A Regional water sports centre was established in 1984 to impart training in water sports in the Wetland. The Pong Dam lake was notified as wild life sanctuary in 1983 covering an area of 30,729 hac. The total catch is 500 metric tonnes of fish per year worth Rs. one crore. The main wild life species found in Pong Dam lake sanctuary area are nilgai, sambar, barking deer, wild boar, clawless otter and leopard. In addition there are 220 species of migratory birds, red jungle fowl, peafowl, partridges and many others. Pong Dam reservoir is being developed on a large scale for promoting water sports for tourists.
Fairs and Festivals
In the month of March, Holi's riot of colours and celebration of spring comes with laughter and vitality. There are exuberant celebrations at Palampur and Sujanpur.
Places near Palampur
KANGRA : Kangra is a little town located just 17 km away from Dharamsala, in one of the prettiest valleys of Himachal with its lush green terraces & orchards, overlooking a gushing stream - the Banganga. Once the ancient capital of a powerful hill state, Kangra was known for its magnificent temples and as a centre of the arts. The exquisite Pahari style of miniature painting flourished during the reign of Raja Sansar Chand (1775-1823). Fine murals commissioned by the king are still to be found in palaces and temples in this area. At Kangra itself, a fort and some temples are the only remnants of its glorious past.Just outside the town is the temple dedicated to Bajreshwari Devi. This beautiful temple known once for its legendary wealth was subject to successive depradations by invaders from the north.Mohammed of Ghazni is known to have departed with a king's ransom in gold, silver and jewels in 1009. Destroyed completely in 1905 by an earthquake, it was rebuilt in 1920. It continues to be a busy place of pilgrimage. Colourful stalls outside the temple tend to pilgrims' needs and sell brass puja utensils, incense, sacred threads, flags and images of the goddess.
MCLEODGANJ : (1700 mt)9 km up from Kotwali Bazar Dharamsala is the famous town Mcleodganj often called the "Little Lhasa". This is the residence of H H the Dalai Lama. The Tibetan Government in exile has been here for almost four decades. The impressive monastery has larger than life images of the Buddha, Padmasambhava and Avalokteshwara. A large Tibetan community and the presence of traditional architectural designs drawn from Tibet have enhanced the charm of the area. A host of Tibetan handicrafts and garments are available.The Namgyalma Stupa, surrounded by prayer wheels, this Buddhist stupa, is located in the centre of McLeod Gunj. With a statue of the Sakyamuni Buddha enshrined in a small chamber.Day and night, devotees turn prayer wheels as they circumambulate the stupa, reciting mantras.Tsuglag Khang, Though a plain and utilitarian substitute for its far more splendid name sake in Lhasa, also known as the Jokhang, the Tsuglag Khang is nevertheless fascinating and peaceful. Situated opposite the residence of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Tsuglag Khang is known to the local Indians as the Main Temple. It houses three main images: that of the Sakyamuni Buddha, Padmasambhava and Avalokitesvara, the Buddha of Compassion, of whom the Dalai Lama is the current emanation. The principal image is that of Sakyamuni Buddha,measuring three meters high and made of gilded bronze. To its right are the images of Padmasambhava and Avalokitesvara which are both facing Tibet. Church Of St. John In The Wilderness, Fifteen minutes' walk from McLeod Gunj, the Anglican church lies in the forest near Forsyth Gunj. This neo-Gothic stone church was built in 1852 and has some fine Belgian stained-glass windows. It miraculously survived the 1905 earthquake - only the spire collapsed. A memorial to Lord Elgin stands in the churchyard. The British Viceroy died in Dharamsala and is buried here. Visiting hours for the church and cemetery are 10 am to 5 pm each day.Dharamkot,This village, twenty minutes' walk further up the hill from McLeod Gunj, is a favorite picnic spot with a panoramic view of the Kangra Valley. It is possible to rent houses from local Indians if you are planning a longish stay.Bhagsunag,This ancient temple is 2 kms from Mcleodganj.. Close to this temple is a beautiful waterfall. Near the Dal Lake is the shrine of Bhagsunath an easy walk from the Mecleodganj. Famous for its ancient temple and a pretty waterfall not far away. The rock temple dedicated to local Goddess is just 3 km from Kotwali Bazaar. Triund, Mcleodganj to Triund is a 9 km gradual trek which passes through the Dharmkot and Rakkar villages. The tracks from Rawa, Dallake, Dharamkot and Bhagsu meet at a ridge known as Galu Devi (2130m) which has a small temple and a water point.From Galu Oevi onward the track is smooth and clear and ascends through a mixed forest of oaks and rhododendrons. The track then gradually gains height and winds round the ridges looking towards Dharamsala and the Kangra valley. The last climb after a snow nullah rises abruptly with steep ascents and the track weaves through twenty two curves making the ascent tiring and difficult. On this track one can spot many types of birds. Monals are in plenty. The black bear, leopards, pigs and wild goats are also found in this region. There is a small forest bungalow at Triund located on a big and green subsidiary ridge of the Dhauladhar range.
Distance from nearby places
- Baijnath Temple: 14 km
- Chamunda Devi Temple: 32 km
- Brijeshwari Temple: 38 km
- Ahju: 35 km
- Dharamshala: 36 km
- McLeodGanj: 44 km
- Andretta: 14 km
- Maranda: 5 km
Connectivity
The airport at Gaggal (Kangra) is 37 km from Palampur. The road gauge railway reaches Pathankot which is 115 km from Palampur is a narrow gauge railway that comes right upto Maranda, 4 km from the town. Taxies and buses are available at both places. By road, Palampur is 545 km from Delhi.
Education
CSK HPKV, Palampur (Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya Palampur),http://www.hillagric.ernet.in/ one of the four universities in Himachal Pradesh is situated in Palampur. Most popularly it is known as Agriculture University Palampur among the people of Himachal Pradesh; it is one of the best agricultural universities in India.
D.A.V Sr. Sec School,Palampur : One of the primere institute in Himachal Pradesh.Situated in the green hills of Palampur,dhauladhar. It has excellent academic,sports and extra-carricular activity record.The school emphasises on the all round development of students and provide full support to its students and staff in all the fields.
Veterinary School:COVAS, College Of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, is the only premier veterinary institute in HP. It was established in the year 1986. It is situated at Holta, a small but beautiful location in Palampur Valley.
IHBT: An institute by CSIR located 2 km from Palampur on way to Baijnath and is one of the reputed institutes of the country dealing with Himalayan Bioresource Technology and research on Tea Gardens. Located with Dhauladhar (snow clad hills) in the back drop does pioneering research in respect of Biotechnology.
IVRI: Regional Station of IVRI (ICAR) established in 1959 is located in the heart of the city Palampur. The institute has excellent infrastructure for research in animal sciences, especially in the areas animal nutrition and disease investigation with a referral laboratory for animal disease diagnosis.
Kendriya Vidyalaya, Palampur : One of the best school in the state it is known for its excellent results not only in the boards but also in the competitive exams. Situated in a serene environment it has got one of the best and dedicated staff. Situated in Holta Camp, K V is affiliated to central board of secondary education, new delhi. With good sports facilities in the school the scholls football and basketball teams compete at various zonal , state levels. The school emphasises on the all round development of students and provide full support to its students and staff in all the fields.