Tea Capital of Northwest India, Palampur

Palampur is a hill station and a municipal council in the Kangra Valley of the Indian State of Himachal Pradesh.

Palampur is the tea capital of north-west India, but tea is just one aspect that makes Palampur a special resort. Abundance of water and vicinity to the mountains has bestowed it with mild climate. The town has acquired its name from the local word "pulum”, meaning plenty of water. Palampur enjoys a healthy climate and the pine scented air is said to have sanative properties. The scenery presents an empyreal and beautiful contrast; the plain presents a picture of rural prettiness and repose, while the hills are baronial. Behind this town stand the high ranges of Dhauladhar Mountains, whose crest remains covered for most part of the year.

Palampur presents a spectacular view of Dhauladhar and is world renowned paragliding areas, old temples, tea gardens and pleasant weather.

Earlier Palampur was a part of the local Sikh Kingdom but later it came under the Britishers. It was one of the salient hill states and was once a part of the Jalandhar kingdom. The town of Palampur came into existence when Dr. Jameson, Superintendent of Botanical Gardens, propagated the tea shrub from Almora in 1849. The shrub flourished and so did the town which became a focus of the European tea estate owners. Thenceforth, the Kangra tea of Palampur has been known internationally.

Palampur is located at 32.12°N 76.53°E, at a height of 1,220 meters above sea level. It is only 30 km from the popular hill station of Dharamshala. Palampur is a promptly developing city of Himachal. The great thing about Palampur is that it always feels like home town whenever you visit here. The overall atmosphere is so idyllic that tourists enjoy it without knowing it. Tourism in Palampur is suggested for summer holidays, honeymoon and winter sports activities. The upper areas of Palampur meet with heavy snowfall and thereby providing plethora of opportunities for tourists to get themselves indulged in winter sports activities. Another jotting aspect of Palampur is that it does not fall in the interiors of Himachal Pradesh.

Climate

In Palampur the weather is moderate. Summers are mild and winters are cold but delightful. It experiences southwestern monsoon rains in July-September. The best time to visit Palampur is from March to June and Mid-September to November.

Places to Visit 

Neughal Khad: Neughal Khad is a 305 meters broad chasm, which falls over a 100 meters to the Bundla stream. Neugal Khad offers a fine view of the Dhauladhar range.
Baijnath: Baijnath is a pilgrimage centre of the Hindus in Kangra district at a distance of 16 ms from Palampur. Here one can  visit the oldest existing Shiva temple in the country which is believed to be originally built by the Pandavas close to the Binwa Khad.
Andretta: In this charming village of Andretta Mrs. Norah Richards lived. She was a pioneer of rural theatre in India and an ardent disciple of Mahatma Gandhi.
Chamunda Devi: This famous temple is about 25 ms away from Palampur and is dedicated to the Goddess Chamunda.
Bir and Billing: Bir is surrounded by tea gardens and an amphitheater of low hills. It has Buddhist Monasteries that are worth visiting. Billing is about 14 km from Bir up in the hills with an area of 200 km. It is famous for high altitude and cross country flying. It is one of the best aero-sports sites in the country.

Excurion 

Trekking: Several trek routes lead out of Palampur, specifically over the Dhauladhar Mountains towards the town of Chamba. Treks of 5-8 days duration are feasible from May to October.
Hang/Paragliding: The town of Billing which is 42 km away from Palampur and 14 km from Bir is also an important center for hang-gliding.
Fishing: There are ample opportunities between 1st March to 1st June and 1st September to end of October for Mahaseer fishing.

Rejuvenate your senses in the fresh aroma of tannin at the foothill of giant Dhauladhar Range.

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