general information on palampur

Palampur is a hilly town and a municipal council in Kangra district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. 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, 76.53[1]. Palampur, at a height of 1219 mts., is a main spot in the beautiful valley surrounded by tea gardens and pine trees. The place enjoys a healthy climate and the pine scented air is said to have curative properties. The scenery presents a sublime and beautiful contrast- the plain presents a picture of rural loveliness and repose, while the hills are majestic. Behind this town stands high ranges of Dhauladhar mountains (white hill of snow), whose tops remain covered for most part of the year. This place is being developed as large tourist centre. A ropeway and an amusement park is also on the way to be established here. An Agricultural University is already functioning near by one Ayurvedic hospital is situated, also one Ayurvedic medical college is there in Paprola is about 10 km away from here some tea factories are also in operation Kangra valley is also known as tea capital of India this tea was quite famous among Britishers.
There are also some pleasant walks around the town. A short walk from here takes one to the Neugal park here you take some hot sips of coffee with the awesome cold winds and have a pleasant view nearby, few kilometres ahead is Bundla chasm which falls over a 100metres to the Bundla stream. The stream is a thin streak running over stony ground far below the cliff. During the monsoon seasons, it swells and rages - madly over the entire width of the chasm taking stones and boulders along with it and makes loud roaring noise like thunder.www.mcllo.com An Informative, Travel website of Kangra Valley- Palampur Information
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 Billing, near Bir, an important centre for the adventure sport of paragliding. Paraglider pilots often land near Palampur after cross-country flights starting from Billing. Palampur also has numerous Buddhist monuments and is famous for its Tibetan handicrafts.
WHAT TO SEE
NEUGAL CAFE (3 km): Roaring in the rainy season and tinkling all the year around, Neugal Cafe offers a fine view of the Dhauladhar range & the great view of Neugal Khud. Himachal Tourism café provides food and a fine view from its restaurant.
BUNDLA (4 km): Spread over an area of 4 km. It is covered with lush green tea gardens of Bundla Tea Estate. The suspension bridge on the Neugal river attracts a thousand of tourists.
'BANDLA MATA MANDIR : A beautiful nd ancient temple of godess vindyavasini is 5 km away from palampur.
ANDRETTA (13 km): Home of the famous artist, late Sardar SOBHA SINGH and play-writer. Ms. NORA RICHARDS. There are beautiful paintings worth seeing in their private houses. It affords an excellent view of Dhauladhar range. Andreta is 12 km from Palampur.
CHAMUNDA DEVI: The famous temple dedicated to the goddess Chamunda is 25 km away and Yatri Niwas here provides an excellent accommodation for the visitors.
BAIJNATH (15 km): At a distance of 16 km from Palampur, Baijnath is a pilgrimage centres of the Hindus in Kangra Distt. Here one finds the oldest existing Shiva temple in the country, believed to have been originally built by the Pandavas close to the Binwa Khad.
BHAWARNA (11 Km) : Bhawarna is a beautiful place nearby Palampur having lot of temples and tea Gardens. Its mainly famous for its Bhadal Devi Mandir.
BIR & BILLING: Bir, surrounded by tea gardens and an amphitheater of low hills, is an ideal landing around for para-gliders. Bir has Buddhist Monasteries that are worth visiting. Fine Tibetan handi craft are also produced here. Billing, up in the hills 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.
Gopalpur (13 km) There is a mini zoo here, here you have a glimpse of Leopard, Black Beer and many more rare species.
Kangra Fort (27 km) The most important fort of the region, it is enclosed by high ramparts and its walls have a circumference of approximately 4 km. It was built about 1,000 years ago on the confluence of the Banganga and Manjhi rivers. Its various gates, shrines end remains of the old palaces are noteworthy.
Sujanpur Tira (42 km) Built in 1758 the fortress of Tira Ghar the remnants of old halls, palaces end temple. the town of Sujanpur below the fort, has several old temples of which the Narbadeshwar and Murli Marahar are exemplary.
TashiJong (12 km) There is a Tibetan monastery here.
Maranda (4 km) There is a Rotary Foundation eye hospital here.A railway station is located in maranda town.
Chobu (about 13 km from baijnath) Very picturique view for nature lovers near binwa river, water falls from 15- 20 ft. height is looking very gracious you can have a view of it, as it is quite soothing to your soul here you are completely with nature no one disturb you except the cool, clear wind and sound of water from the near by binwa river. this place is not developed for tourists that's why it is still in its natural form.have a glimpse of the true nature.
Joginder Nagar (30 km from Baijnath) Very beautiful place here two hydel power projects are situated Bassi and Shanan, Shanan is established here during british raj. Water for this project is lifted from Uhal River from Barot which is also an untouched beauty on the earth. To go to Barot one trolley way from joginder nagar also it is well connected by road.The climatic scenerio is very healthy.

Fairs and Festivals
Holi
The festival of Holi comes in the full moon day in the month of Falgun. Some women in the village offer special Puja during Holi. Small twigs of the 'Kamal' tree are painted in red and yellow and then laid out in little bamboo baskets (khartoo) along with thread, kumkum, jaggery and roasted grams. The women carry this basket and little pots of coloured water in their hands and go for the Puja. This is first offered to an elderly man (Dandochh) and then the Holi is played. The next day the entire village plays Holi. The day prior to Holi, when the moon comes out, the Holi bonfire is built and set to fire. There is a scramble during this among the younger men to touch the Holi flag first. He who touch it first, is considered lucky. Special Kadah Prasad (sweet gruel) is also cooked and distributed.
The Holi melas at Palampur, Ghughar, Paprola, Baijnath, Jaisinghpur and Sujanpur also have an attraction of their own. The Holi festival of Sujanpur traces its colourful history back to the glorious days of king Sansar Chand. This fair has been declared as a state festival by the Himachal government. The fair lasts for five days during which various processions of deities are taken out. Folk dances and traditional folk theater forms are also presented. Clay pots are also sold and the entire valley seems to reverberate with the joyous sounds of the traditional Holi songs. Holi mela in palampur is also celebrated with very pomp and show many exebitions and competetions are held here these days. local jhankis are the main attraction of this festival there is also competetion in between man made by man jhankies. Connectivity

Air
Nearest airport is Gaggal airport (kangra) after which it is accessible by road.

Rail
Palampur is connected by narrow gauge railway from Pathankot. Approximate distance from Pathankot to Palampur(Maranda -3 km away from main palampur city) is 112 km.

Road
Palampur is also accessible by road and there are many buses from Dharamshala 40 km, Kangra 38 km, Kulu-Manali 205 km & Shimla 259 km. From Delhi (542 km) from Pathankot Service to Palampur by Himachal Road Transport Corporation is easily available and too from Chandigarh (240 km).

Education

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'St. Pauls' School''': One of the oldest schools built during Bristish regime is St. Paul's School. Its the oldest school of city (est. 1923)& has glorious past in academic history. It offers not only HP board education but have ICSE board too. This school has picturesque location & largest campus of all other schools in city. For different sports like Basket ball, Badminton, Football etc, school has different grounds.
S.D. Chand Public school : SDCPS is one of the very good school in Palampur. Situated in Ghuggar area it is about 1 km from city. The school has a 25 year old good record of generating a good crop of professionals in various fields.
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. It was established in 1978. 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 school's 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.