msl) is a one of the most Famous place of Himachal Pradesh. It is in the Kangra District. In the lap of Dhauladhar ranges surrounded by pine forests.
Also known as Palampur Valley.
The first prime minister of independent India, Pandir Jawahar Lal Nehru visited Palampur in 1941 when it was still British India. There is a Nehru Chowk in Palampur to commemorate this event.
In 1947, Shobha SIngh a well known contemporary painter moved from Punjab to Andretta and developed his art gallery. He painted world-famous art pieces related to Punjabi culture and shot into prominence as an artist. After 1946, the regional linkages of town started improving. A military station was established at Holta, a strategic location of the town. CKHPKV was established, besides the establishment of Indian Council for Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) Complex (Institute of Himalyan Bioresource Technology). Many offices at the level of sub division pertaining to Electricity, Housing Board, Public health and PWD (B&R) were located. Tourist accommodation like T-Bud Hotel by Himachal Tourism Development Corporation and other leisure hotels were constructed.
Palampur is a rapidly developing city of Himachal Pradesh with plenty of accommodations. The upper areas of Palampur experience heavy snowfall and thereby providing plenty of opportunity for tourists to get themselves indulged in winter sports activities or enjoy a stroll through the beautiful tea gardens. Palampur has emereged as one of the favourite places for movie shooting lately. Famous directors like Imtiaz Ali and Lawrence D'Souza have shot movies here. A ropeway has been proposed across the Neugal river which will further attract tourists.
Palampur is at the center of all major tourist attractions, with Dharamshala on one side and Baijnath and Manali on the other. One can easily find good and affordable places to stay in the town. You can find hotels, home stays, villas and cottages at very competitive prices. There are also a good number of restaurants in the main market serving a variety of cuisines.
Some famous places worth visiting around Palampur are :
Chamunda Devi Temple (20 km. from Palampur): This is a very important Hindu shrine with the temple of Goddess Chamunda. Thousands of devotees from all over India visit the temple and offer prayers.
Bir and Billing (35 km. from Palampur): This village is famous for its Buddhist monasteries. Hand gliding pilots use it as their landing site. Bir, surrounded by tea gardens and an amphitheater of low hills, is an ideal landing around for paragliders. Bir has Buddhist monasteries that are worth visiting. Fine Tibetan handicrafts are also produced here. Billing, up in the hills and 14 km. from Bir with an arena of 200 km for high altitude and cross country flying, is one of the best aerosports sites in the country.
Baijnath (16 km. from Palampur): The Shiva temple at Baijnath is one of the most remarkable monuments of the Kangra valley. Ancient name of this town was 'Kirgrama'. Baijnath got its name from Shiva Vaidyanatha. The temple consists of an 'Adytum' surrounded by a spire of the usual conical shape with a 'Mandap' covered with a low pyramid shaped roof. The 'Adytum' contains the Lingam. There is fine sculpture work associated with Ravana, who worshipped Shiva at this spot and gained immortality. Shivratri of Baijnath is a well attended fair.
Neugal Khad (2 km from Palampur): Neugal Khad provides a fine view of the Dhauladhar range. It is roaring in the rainy season and gurgling all the year round. Himachal Tourism cafe provides food and a fine view from its restaurant. It is a famous picnic spot and ideal for a day escape from busy life.
Bundla Stream (2 km from Palampur): Bundla stream with wide chasm of more than 100 metres, swells up and rises madly in monsoons taking stones and boulders along with it making a loud noise like that of continuous thunder. The walk from Palampur to Bundla should not be missed as you can visit the tea gardens too.
Bundla Tea Estate (2 km from Palampur): This is one of the most beautiful tea estates of Palampur, which covers Bundla, Aima and Lohna panchayats. The tea estate falls on the road between Neugal Cafe and main Palampur town. The lush green tea gardens are at its best in the monsoon. People can be seen plucking tea from April till October. The old Bundla Tea Estate complex, which is over 200 years old can be seen from the road.
Saurabh Van Vihar (4 km from Palampur): Named after the valiant Army officer, Captain Saurabh Kalia, Saurabh Van Vihar is on the banks of Neugal stream. Managed by the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department, the Van Vihar was set up with the purpose of providing information to the tourists about the nature and environment. The Vihar sprawls over an area of 35 acres and there is a green park located here. The area is surrounded by the Dhauladhar mountains and offers a scenic view.
Mata Ashapuri(Maa Ashapuri) Temple : Mata Asahpuri temple is very famous temple in Distt Kangra. It is located at the top of hill. My village Suan is very small town surrounded by hills and located right down the Hill of Mata Ashapuri Temple. On-Foot it takes around 1 hour and by bus it takes around 3 hours to reach Mata Ashapuri Temple from my village. On-Foot there is shortcut way to reach the temple. Suan town comes under Tehsil Jaisinghpur. Its populations is approximately 500 people. Bus service is available for Mata Ashapuri Temple from Palampur and Panchrukhi Bus stations. It is approximately 2–3 hours run by bus from Palampur to Mata Ashapuri temple. Bus service is available on specific times. You can consult at Palampur Bus Stand Counter regarding bus service queries and timings. There is another village called Khera which has its own legacy. It is situated on the opposite hill. The residents of this village worship Maata Saniyaari. According to legend Saniyaari wanted to commit Sati after her husband's death. She was tried to save by a Katoch couple who didn't have any issue. Saniyaari Maata gave him a boon of 2 sons and one daughter and asked the couple to make a temple in her name and to organise Mela every year. The Katoch family has now reached its 8 generation.
Gopalpur Zoo (14 km from Palampur): This zoological park, officially known as Dhauladhar Nature Park, developed by H.P government, is a good place for animal lovers and children. The park has a wide range of animals such as lion, leopard, bear, porcupine. It is a perfect place for picnics, weekend getaways and for spending your time exploring the natural and scenic beauty of the Dhauladhar mountains.
Chamunda Devi Temple (21.2 km from Palampur): Chamunda Devi, also known as Chamundi, Chamundeshwari and Charchika, is a fearsome aspect of Devi, the Hindu Divine Mother and one of the seven Matrikas (mother goddesses). She is also one of the primary Yoginis, a group of sixty-four or eighty-one Tantric goddesses, who are family and friends of the warrior goddess Durga.The name is a collaboration of Chanda and Munda, two monsters whom Chamunda killed. She is carefully related with Kali, another fierce aspect of Devi. She is sometimes recognized with goddesses Parvati, Chandi or Durga as properly. The goddess is often represented as haunting cremation reasons or fig trees. The goddess is worshipped by ritual animal sacrifices along with offerings of wine and in the ancient times, human forfeit were offered too. Initially a tribal goddess, Chamunda was assimilated in Hinduism and later entered the Jain pantheon too. Though in Jainism, the rites of her worship include all-vegetable offerings, and not the meat and liquor offerings.
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