Sterling Banquet & Hotel
Places to see around Sterling
Baijnath Temple
One of the most beautiful built temples in the Kangra Valley, the Shiva Temple of a splendid architectural design which resembles that of the Jagannath temple in Puri.
It is believed that it was here that Raavan worshipped Lord Shiva to attain immortality. The artistic brilliance with which this structure was designed blended with the religious significance of this place makes it a must visit for all devotees and tourists travelling to the Kangra valley.
Tea Garden
The tea gardens appear on either side of the road well before you enter Palampur, giving you a sense of entering into a dreamland. Since Palampur is called the Tea Capital of northern India, it is famous for its lush tea gardens sprawling over vast acres of land. These splendid gardens are among the chief attractions of the hill town.
Tashi Jong Monastery
The Tashi Jong Monastery is not just a center for worship for Buddhists but is also the homely abode of various Tibetan refugees. The complex has a college for freshers and a Tibetan restaurant beside the main shrine.
This place has been inhabited by Tibetan for many years now and has a quaint serenity about it. Tibetan artifacts are also sold in the crafts emporium and these are ideal for tourists to buy as souvenirs. Almost everyone who travels to Palampur visits this monastery.
Sobha Singh Art Gallery
Dedicated to the work of eminent artist Sobha Singh, the Sobha Singh Art Gallery is situated in Andretta village, which is located 14 km south of Palampur. Sobha Singh is a veteran painter from the Sikh community and his masterpiece of Guru Nanak (with his one hand raised as if to bestow blessings) has brought him ample of fame. The art gallery displays some of the finest work of Sobha Singh, which includes portraits of Sohni-Mahinval and Hir-Ranjha (famed Punjabi couples).
Today, Sobha Singh Art Gallery is an important art center and holds great value in Punjab’s heritage. Most of the paintings here have the influence of the Kangra School of Art and are done well in Western classical techniques of oil painting.
Paragliding at Bir-Billing
Billing, at a height of 2290 m above sea level, is said to be one of the best paragliding sites in the world. Bir-Billing hosted the AAI Paragliding World Championship in October 2015. You need to make arrangements for paragliding at Bir only. An uphill road from Bir takes you to Billing, which is a beautiful hilltop from where you take off. Right direction and velocity of the wind is required to jump off the cliff. There are expert pilots who will judge the right moment and will encourage you to jump. All the nervousness disappears as soon as you are in the air—thereafter you only experience the excitement and happiness of flying up above the deep valleys and high mountains. September-October is the best time for this adventure activity.
Chamunda Temple
The demons “Chand” and “Mund was killed by hence known as “Chamunda”. Meri Maiya Chamundadevi Mandir is seven hundred years old; build by a Maiya bhakt from the village, who was asked by Meri Maiya Herself in his dream to fetch the idol across Ban Ganga and place it in the temple over “Holy Meri Maiya Pindi” and worship Her. The Mandir is a holy shrine of ‘Shiva and Shakti’ and is known as ‘Chamunda Nandikeshwar Dham’. Meri Maiya Mandir is a seat of spirituality since ancient times and is situated on the bank of Ban-Ganga. Meri Maiya Mandir is surrounded by natural beauty, peace, and bliss and as such a natural refuge for saints and meditators since time immemorial.
