SCENIC DRIVE TO PALAMPUR

The TEA CAPITAL OF NORTHERN INDIA, PALAMPUR is located in the northwestern part of Himachal Pradesh. The name PALAMPUR was coined from the word 'POLUM' which means 'ABUNDANT WATER'. Behind the town stands the gigantic DHAULADHAR RANGE, which is a Hindi word meaning WHITE HILLS OF SNOW. You should click a picture of yourself against this incredible backdrop.  

Snow Embraced Mountains 

In this post, I will be expressing THE PLACES TO VISIT IN THIS MAJESTIC TOWN inspired by my trip to Palampur. But before that, let's take a look at the overview of the town.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE TOWN

• LOCATION: In the Kangra valley, near the dhauladhar range, 30km from DHARAMSHALA.
• ALTITUDE:1220 meters above sea level.
• WEATHER: Summers (from April to June) are mild and winters (from November to February) are cold but pleasant. It also experiences Monsoon (from July to September).

PLACES TO VISIT IN PALAMPUR

TEA GARDENS

Palampur is known for its tea gardens. Why so?

To find an answer to this question let's time travel and take a look at the history of Palampur.

HISTORY OF PALAMPUR

In the mid-eighteenth century, Dr.Jameson, Superintendent of Botanical Gardens introduced the tea bush from Almora. The bush flourished and so did the town that took the attention of the European tea estate house owners Since then, the Kangra tea of Palampur has been noted quite well internationally. In this way, PALAMPUR became a hub of tea plantations and while traveling every few kilometers a tea plantation catches our attention.

"Water Showered On Tea Leaves"

"Dry tea"

“When two leaves exist along with a bud, they are small, tender, and pale green. At that stage, they are rich in flavor and ideal for rolling."

SAURABH VAN VIHAR

Areas To Explore 

• It is a recreational Nature park built-in memory of a brave soldier, SAURABH KALIA( Martyr in the Kargil War).

Saurabh Kalia

• It covers a 13 km area.
• Situated on the bank of NEUGEL KHAD, which is one of the snow-fed rivers( water in this river comes from melted snow).

         

         

Snow Coloured Marble All-Around

           

• 4kms away from Palampur.
• Ticket fee- 10/- for a kid, 20/- for an adult.
• At the gate, a sitemap dictates the spots to visit.

The Site Map

• The park has cemented roads and while walking one can see places like mean vatika, boating area, at the roadside. The place features lush gardens.

Meen Vatika

• Timing: 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM, every day.

SOBHA SINGH ART GALLERY

Padma Shree Awardee in 1983

• This art gallery is devoted to the work of SOBHA SINGH: the artist, the philosopher, and the saint.
• Situated in Andretta village.
• 18 km from Palampur. 
• This place was the artist's own home which is converted into an exhibition after his death.
• His adopted daughter has preserved paintings of the artist, his family members. The art gallery is now managed by his grandson.
• Unless and until one steps into the gallery it seems it's a petite gallery. And once you step into it, you will find lots of things to see and explore. It broadens your horizons.
• The museum displays artifacts, original prints, mugs, local art crafts, the things that he used, and awards. His bedroom, kitchen, painting colors, pictures with Amrita Pritam, and many eminent Punjabis are displayed.

His creations

Another one! And many more.

• A sculpture of the artist is displayed which is the main thing to see but the sad part is that you cannot click a picture with him.
• Inside the gallery, tourists are not allowed to take pictures of the painting in the main gallery. Besides one can buy the printed format of the painting from the room where tickets are distributed. 

Notice board

• One can buy many things kept in a room at the beginning of the gallery like shawls, etc. There is a garden too.

Refreshments

TASHI JONG BUDDHIST MONASTERY

• Situated about 15kms from Palampur.  Located in Tashi Jong village, which is a small rustic area situated between Paprola and Taragarh.

Tashi Jong Monastery

• This is a home to the Drugpa sect(seen in red-magenta dress). Tashi Jong Community lives here.

Monks doing their prayer's and enlightening

• This monastery is one of the schools of Kagyu Tradition.
• A beautiful garden surrounds the monastery.

Front gate

• During the pandemic period, you can't stand a chance to enter the monastery, so you can capture a picture from outside and therefore this site is usually not busy.

JAKHNI MATA TEMPLE 

New

Latti Jakhni Temple

• This temple is devoted to Devi Latti Jakhni.
• Situated at the topmost point of Chandpur Village, 5kms from Palampur.
• It's a sharp climb up to the temple, so it is feasible to take a car instead of choosing to walk. However, physically fit people can try footslog up to the temple.
• The temple is located at a standpoint, from where the view of the Dhauladhar range, the valley, and the rural human settlements is adorable. From here you can trek to Birni Devi temple.

NEUGAL KHAD 

The Neugal Bridge

• The Khad is within a walking distance from the Himachal Tourism's Hotel T Bud.
• The water is fresh and flows usually through a shallow ravine, over pearly white pebbles. But when I visited last week, there was no water.

View From Neugal Khad

• The bridge spanning the river is unique. There are campsites for nature lovers. The area provides a magnificent view of the snow peaks of the DHAULADHAR range of mountains.
• The views of the Himalayas from here are breathtaking. There are many tea gardens all around.

CONCLUSION

Finally, I have discussed all the sites to visit in Palampur for a one-day trip. I hope that after reading the whole post you will want to visit this place. The spots are not so far away from each other like Neugal Khad and Sourabh Van Vihar are so close at a walking distance. And one more thing is that famous actress, Karina Kapoor also had a trip to Palampur, so you might think how beautiful this place would be. 

Stay tuned for the next post!