Palampur is a beautiful hill station located in Kangra Valley in Himachal Pradesh, about 35 km from Dharamsala. It gets its its name from pulum meaning ‘abundant water’. Unsurprisingly, the region has innumerable streams and brooks and the water bodies are a huge boon for the tea plantations.
In addition to its tea plantations, Palampur also offers tourists a chance to practice some adventure sports, serving as the starting point for several treks including to Dharamsala and Kangra. The famous Baijnath-Manali trek passes through the town. Summers (between May and October) is the best time to trek in Palampur.
Situated 35 km from Palampur, Bir is a popular center for paragliding activities and along with Billing, that serves as the landing spot, is referred to as the ‘Paragliding capital of India’.
1. Tea Gardens
The tea gardens of Palampur are a major draw for tourists. In fact, the area is known as the Tea Capital of North India. Vast areas of green foliage resulting out of a variety of tea plants are peppered throughout the town. They are a treat to the eyes of the visitors. Here, you can also go through the details of tea processing. If you love tea, this is one of the important places to see in Palampur. Strolling through the gardens and enjoying the sight of tea plants and the piece of nature beyond the garden is a mood-uplifting experience for anybody. It is a heaven for photographers. For the curious, the gardens also provide a detailed view of the tea making process. You can visit the gardens from 10:00 in the morning to 5:00 in the evening daily.
2. Chamunda Devi Temple
The Chamunda Devi Temple in Palampur is one of the most significant places to see in Palampur. Located on the banks of Baner River in Kangra, it is one of the most important holy shrines for Hindus. It is situated at a distance of about 10 kilometers from Palampur. It is an ancient temple dating back to about the 16-century, and one of the major tourist attractions of Palampur. The presiding deity is Chamunda Devi, a reincarnation of Maa Durga. It is also described as ‘Chamunda Nandikeshwar Dham’.
Though the architecture of the temple is nothing extraordinary, it has a divine aura that appeals to its devotees. The main shrine is visible from the entry point and is adorned by images of Lord Hanuman and Lord Bhairav on two sides. The Goddess, here, is draped in rich garments.
You can visit the deity from 6:00 in the morning to 12:00 at noon and again from 1:00 in the afternoon to 9:00 at night. However, during summer the darshan starts from 5:00 am and ends at 10:00 pm with just one-hour shut down from 12:00 noon to 1:00 in the afternoon.
3. Tashi Jong Monastery
This is a Buddhist Monastery situated at a distance of about 15 kilometers from Kangra District. It is one of the most charming places to see in Palampur. Located against the lush green hills, the monastery evokes a sense of respect and humility. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Palampur. The monastery is ornamented with carvings on wood, Buddha statues, and paintings. Here, you can buy beautiful Tibetan handicrafts from the craft emporium.
4. Neugal Khad
Neugal Khad is the name given to a beautiful place with a wide stream of water located about 3 to 4 kilometers away from Palampur. This place is popular with tourists as a place for picnic and sightseeing. There is also a rustic iron bridge over the stream, which evokes a sense of nostalgia. The exuberance and chattering sound of the stream and the sight of the high mountains of the Dhauladhar Range makes for a treat to the eyes. The Khad is one of the most charming tourist attractions of Palampur. The bridge on the stream is an ideal location for photography. There is another park near the stream and is called Neugal Park. It features small eateries and cafes where you can munch on snacks while savouring the majestic views all around.
5. Norbulingka Institute
The Norbulingka Institute in Palampur is one of the top places to see in Palampur. It is a heritage site and a building for Tibetans. The institute is dedicated to preserving Tibetan culture for posterity. You can go through the narrative of employees of the institute so that you gain a perspective on Tibetan culture. You can also buy beautiful Tibetan clothes as well as home accessories from the workshops around the institute.
The institute is open from 9:00 in the morning to 5:30 in the evening, daily. Indians and Tibetans have to pay INR 20 per person while foreigners have to pay INR 50 per person as entrance fee.
6. Sourabh Van Vihar
Sourabh Van Vihar is one of the most popular places to see in Palampur. It is named after an Indian army officer and is an ideal spot for nature lovers. From here you can get some gorgeous viewsof the snow-capped Dhauladhar Mountain Range. It is a nice place for holidaying with family. There is a park featuring a plush green garden. There is also a lake where you can go boating. The park is open from 9:30 in the morning to 6:30 in the evening, daily and you have to pay INR 20 as entry fee per person.
7. St. John’s Church
The St. John’s Church is a Raj-era relic of Palampur located in a serene spot of Mcleodganj, among the lush green deodar forests. The ensemble of its architectural beauty, beautiful design, and the surrounding natural vibe is a sight to behold and soak in. The church is dedicated to one of the British Viceroys and it attracts tourists from all over the world, not only for its natural appeal but also for its architectural beauty. It is one of the most visited tourist attractions of Palampur.
The beautiful stained glass windows of the building, which you can rarely see these days with the beautiful mountains in the horizon have made this place a treat for the eyes. It is indeed a unique combination of traditional and natural. The church is open from 7:00 in the morning to 7:00 in the evening.
8. Andretta Pottery
The humble Andretta Pottery is one of the must place to visit in Palampur. Your tour may be incomplete without going through the art of traditional pottery making in Andretta Pottery. It is a sleepy little area in the midst of a village. Many tourists miss the place since it is somewhat mingled with their surroundings. However, it is a must visit place for pottery enthusiasts and art lovers. Here you would come across a range of stuff in the terracotta museum. You can also get to watch pottery making hands on. There is also a pottery shop where you can find some ancient pottery. The pottery is open from 10:00 in the morning to 5:00 in the evening.
9. Jakhni Mata Temple
Located in one of the most scenic places for a temple, this temple in Kangra is also difficult to visit. It demands an arduous trek to reach the temple. Yet, it is one of the most visited tourist attractions of Palampur. However, once you get to it, the view from the top will enchant your senses. The toil is really worth the view that you can get from the temple. There is a viewpoint near the temple, which offers an excellent view of the gorgeous Kangra Valley, the elegant Dhauladhar Mountain Range, and the sleepy and small little hamlets scattered around the district. The temple itself has both religious and cultural value for Hindus. But more than a religious sport, it is a tourist destination and one of the best places to see in Palampur, Himachal. The temple is open from 5:00 in the morning to 9:00 at night, daily.
10. Sobha Singh’s Art Gallery
This gallery showcases some of the most charming and original works of art by the famed artist – Sobha Singh. There are beautiful sculptures and paintings in the gallery. You can see photographs and artefacts related to the artist and also shop for souvenirs like books, mugs, etc. at the adjacent handicraft shop. The gallery is very popular with the locals and tourists because of its cultural and artistic value. It is open from 10:00 in the morning to 5:00 in the evening on all days except Monday. You have to pay a fee of INR 10 to enter the gallery if you are an Indian. For foreigners, the fee is INR 100 per person.
11. Bir
Bir is a picturesque village in the northern part of Joginder Nagar Valley of Himachal Pradesh at a distance of about 30 kilometres from Palampur. Here you can give wings to your dream of flying above enchanting valleys. It is one of the major tourist attractions of Palampur for adventure sports enthusiasts. It is indeed a thrilling experience to be gliding on the thin air at such high altitudes. It is often referred to as the paragliding capital of North India. From up in the air, enjoy a panoramic view of the Dhauladhar Range of Himalayas.
