My Encounter With Nature - Palampur (H.P.)

I woke up early morning in a bus on the way to Palampur, a valley in Himachal Pradesh. I could see series of mountains in perspective view, one range after the other. As the bus was climbing the curves of the Ghats, the view was getting more and more closer to this range of mountains. Than at one point, I noticed a faint view of mountains covered with snow. Still it was at a distance and not clearly seen. The river or streambeds were dry and filled with all sizes of smooth pebbles and stones, which were waiting for the water to bathe them. People from the small houses built on the slopes of these mountains were lazily getting ready for the day ahead. Saw one sweeping the lawn of a house while one brushing his teeth perched on a roof-top. Tea Shops were buzzing with people chatting over a hot cup. Oily jalebis and samosas getting ready, herds of cows having fresh green grass washed in morning dew a furry dog and his master were leading a herd of sheep on their morning stroll. The sheep were finely wooly, looked ready for shearing. Even though these things are expected when you travel to villages, I always cherish observing them. I was getting closer to my destination; the driver announced that we reached Kangara, still around 35 odd Kms away from Palampur. One can reach Kangara even by train and air. Kangra has an Airport; Kingfisher operates on Kangara to Delhi route. The tariff is around five grand.

On reaching Palampur, the conductor left my loads of luggage outside my bus and left. The valley is fortified by a range of snowcapped mountains and pine trees from all the sides. The air was redolent with the smell of pine trees that are ample in this region. I easily got a Taxi (Maruti Van) to take me to the hotel, Holiday Vacation on Bandla Road. The driver was not aware of this hotel and instead took me to Hotel Tea Bud run by Himachal Pradesh Tourism. Looked good, ergo I thought it would be expensive. On inquiring I was told a standard room would cost only around five hundred per day after off season discount. I decided to take this hotel and checked in. The room was spacious and clean with clean western toilet, running hot water and a balcony with a grand view of the Snow Capped mountains and pine trees. What else can one ask for? The snowcapped mountains and clouds playing hide and seek along with early morning sun rays enchanted me into a stupor. The sun rays make the mountains glitter like gold, whenever they could escape the protection of the clouds. I just could not believe myself to be so close to this breathtaking beauty of nature. The best thing to do in this wonderful abode is go on long walks on its beautiful curved narrow silent lanes.

After getting ready for the day ahead, I took a taxi to Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, my customer. The Taxi took me through the main market of Palampur, which was now bustling with daily activities of the localites. After the market, we again climbed through curved roads with tea plantations on its periphery. Palampur is also known as the tea hub of North India; this Kangra tea was planted by the British and exported to Europe during the British rule in India. Surprisingly the localities are not very enthusiastic about this tea plantation and its business potential. They are not even marketing these tea leaves with much zeal.

One more specialty of Palampur, the fruit wines are not well known within the localites. After lot of inquiring, I was ultimately able to find the wine shop near Neugal cafe which is the only shop that sells them. I later came to know that these are well sold in Shimla. You get all exotic flavors like kiwis, apple, pear, apricot, ginger, strawberry, rodhas and many more… you get some also in 330ml, and in my excitement I bought nearly 12 to 15 bottles that became really difficult to carry back home. One can carry only 5 liters of alcohol legally in domestic airlines in India.

Samosas, Bread Pakodas, Steamed Momos, and dark chocolate pastry made out of fat-free yogurt at PIZZICATO CAFE are the popular snacks among the localities of Palampur.

There is an Institute known as Himalayan Research Institute of Yoga and Naturopathy also known as Kayakalp, where they conduct residential rejuvenating programs; those on short visits can also indulge in refreshing massages, steam bath and hydro baths at very reasonable rates and is hygienic and good value for money. Would you believe a massage for only a hundred rupees?

There are some famous sightseeing points, which you would read in any travelogues on Palampur, like Chamunda Devi, Baijnath, Bhawarna, Bir & Billing, Gopalpur, Kangra Fort, Sujanpur TirashiJong, Taragarh Fort and some more…