The Kangra valley of which  Palampur (1249m) is a major station, was the Trigarta of old. It was one of the leading hill states and was once a part of the Kingdom of Jalandhra. In local parlance, the word for lot of water is "pulum". This is what has given Palampur its name and its water that has given the valley so much of its character. Countless streams and brooks criss-cross the landscape and to this place and in their intricate mesh, hold tea gardens and rice fields. The town came into being when the tea bush was introduced in the 19th century and Palampur became a focus for the planters. Kangra tea, with its center at Palampur, has been internationally acclaimed since then.

HOTEL T-BUD: The appropriately named Hotel T-Bud is run by Himachal Tourism at Palampur. In the finest part of town, with lush tea gardens just opposite, is the hotel. It has deodar and pine trees, this red-brick building is a heaven for those who seek solitude and privacy, The airport Gaggal (Kangra) is 37 km from Palampur. The braodgauge railway station is at Pathankot which is 115 km from Palampur and the narrow gauge railway comes right upto Maranda, 4 km from the town. Taxis and buses are available at both places. By road Palampur is 545 km from Delhi.