About  Taragarh Palace Resort

Taragarh Palace in Kangra Valley, Himanchal Pradesh in North India is a resort with impeccable service, elegant surroundings, recreational amenities and superb dining.Formerly known as Al-hilal (land of the crescent moon), Taragarh Palace, was built in the early 1930s as a resort well suited for summers. It was bought by the royal family of Jammu & Kashmir in 1951 for the dowager Maharani who lived there for several years. It is now run as a hotel by the present royal family

Located at an altitude of 3,400 feet above sea level, the palace is at the foot of the Dhauladhar Mountains, offering a splendid view of the surroundings with snow-capped peaks. It offers modern amenities with a range of services that match the best in the hospitality industry. Its location at one of India’s unspoilt hill stations makes this royal destination a must visit.

Facilities and Ammenities
We, at Taragarh Palace provide a plethora of facilites be it recreational, health or general. The resort boasts of its restaurant, bar, conference hall, swimming pool, recreation room.
 
Visitors and guests, who come to Taragarh Palace Resort, experience an exciting and refreshing rejuvenation that stays in their memories forever. The resort rooms, suites are a pleasing delight for the visitors. The moment you enter the well-lit spacious rooms, you will be impressed by the detailing of magnificent decor and unsurpassed comfort. The internationally styled furniture and furnishings reflect quaint elegance and supreme quality.
 
IMPERIAL DINING HALL
The Imperial dining hall has a seating for fiftyfive people and serves Indian, Contenintal & Chinese cuisines. Meals and snacks are also served in the patio overlooking the Dhaulandhar mountains.
 
PATIO
The outdoor seating area close to the dining hall overlooking the majestic Dhauladhar ranges where we also serve snacks and evening tea. During winters it is an ideal place to enjoy a warm bonfire.

RAJGARH DURBAR HALL
Has been specially designed for conferences & special events.  Depending on seating options, the hall is capable of accomodating fifty to hundred people. Please contact the reservation office for details. We welcome you to Taragarh Palace at Kangra Valley & we hope you have an enjoyable stay. The following information is being provided for your convenience.
 
CHANDNI
A gift/souvenir shop with collectibles consisting of Tibetan brocades/ tankas & other items, Kangra & Kashmiri kehwa tea, papier mache items from Kashmir, stoles/scarves/caps from Kullu & Kashmir, books, t-shirts, jackets, kurtis, handbags, jewellery items of crystal beads & silver, cushion covers, silver curios, incense.Memorabilia to take back home with you from ‘Chandni’ at Taragarh.
 
FITNESS CENTRE
POWER BACK-UP
For your convenience Taragarh is equipped with a power back-up in the event of power failures. Please bear with us for the time taken to restore power.
 
CULTURAL SHOWS
Tibetan & Kangra folk dances(arranged on request on additional cost)
 

DOCTOR
A Doctor on call is available.
 
Besides all this there are many recreational facilities available to relax yourself. These include both indoor as well as outdoor activities.
 
Taragarh Palace Hotel has 26 air conditioned Rooms & Suites.
 
All rooms and suites offer the following facilities:

• Telephone
• DTH Television
• Tea Maker and Coffee Maker
• Swimming Pool ( Operational from the months of April to October)
• Tennis
• Badminton
• Conference Facilities
• Steam
• Fitness Center
• Horse Riding ( available during the months from April to August)
• Mini Bara

Near By Attraction To Taragarh Palace Resort

Tashi Jong Monestary

In 1958, having foreseen the imminent coming of the communist Chinese, the 8th Khamtrul Rinpoche, Kalzang Dongyu Nyima, left for India with a group of 16 monks and reincarnate lamas. In Eastern Tibet he had been the head of Khampagar Monastery, which had over 200 branch monasteries, nunneries and retreat centers. It was considered one of the foremost monasteries of the Drukpa Kagyü lineage.
A monastery of recent origin, Tashijong is a community rather than a monastery. It encompasses a small stratum of the Tibetan refugees where one can see the dwellings of the people in exile. This monastery depicts structures at different levels, there is a college for freshers and a Tibetan restaurant. The main shrine is placed on a top platform at the fag end of a garden.

Norbulingka Institute , Dharamshala
Norbulingka is dedicated to handing down tradition and restoring standards by providing training, education and employment for Tibetans. It supports an environment in which Tibetan community and family values can flourish. It reconciles the traditional creatively and respectfully with the modern, and seeks to create an international awareness of Tibetan values and their expression in art and literature.
 
Situated at a distance of 4 km from Dharamsala, Norbulinka Institute has a mission to preserve and promote. It is a picture of old rural Tibet with all its shady paths, wooden bridges, small streams and tiny water falls, along with wooden carvings, Tibetan Thangka paintings, Tibetan handicrafts and arts. The setting of the institute makes it look paradisiacal. Department of Religion and Culture founded the Norbulinka Institute of Tibetan Culture.

Palampur
Palampur is a fascinating green hill station and a municipal council in the Kangra Valley in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, surrounded on all sides by tea gardens and pine forests before they merge with the Dhauladhar ranges. Palampur is the tea capital of northwest India but tea is just one aspect that makes Palampur a special interest place. Abundance of water and proximity to the mountains has endowed it with mild climate
 

Mc Leod Ganj
Public relations are important to the Tibetans, for McLeodganj is more than just temples and the Dalai Lama's residence. It is home to a flourishing number of enterprises, political, religious and commercial, all of which are designed to demonstrate the seriousness and competence of the government in exile. Everywhere we go we are handed well-produced information sheets by well-dressed, knowledgeable and patient young men, who do a thoroughly professional job of marketing the mysteries of Tibet.
 
McLeod Ganj, also known as Dharmsala, is located in Himanchal Pradesh near the spectacular Dhauladhar Mountains. Historically important as it is beautiful, this destination is filled with Buddist Temples, sanctuaries, churches and natural attractions to make an travelers visit here memorable.
 Then there are two temples, the Tsuglagkhang itself and the Kalachakra temple, plus a series of buildings forming the Namgyal Gompa where many monks live and study. It's a rather strange experience to walk into these temples finding the same statues as one would see in Ladakh and Tibet in important monasteries but the external look and feel being nothing like those gompas.

Triund:

Triund is placed at a height of 2827 meters. It provides you with mesmerising views of the surrounding places, enveloped with snow. This white sparkling snow is a delight to the eyes and instantly rejuvenates you. These enchanting surroundings will leave you in awe of nature's beauty. From here you can also view the famed Dauladhar mountain ranges.
 
Many adventure activities like trekking are carried out here in Triund. You will come across many exciting treks which offer a unique experience. The trek from Macleodganj to Triund.

St. John's Church
This Church stands on the Gandhi Chowk approximately 2 kms. from the main bus stand of Dalhousie. This Church was the first to be built after the town of Dalhousie was founded. Prior to 1863 a wooden structure stood at this place. The idea to build a stone structure took birth with the arrival of Rev. John H. Pratt who came to Dalhousie on 11-04-1863 and inspired the Christian community to build a permanent church building at this place. Building of this church is a copy of Roman Catholics church of England but this church belongs to Protestants. The church building stands in a good condition but its surroundings demand much better care. Service is conducted on every Sunday.
 

Barot
Barot is a picnic spot and tourist location in Mandi district in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. It is situated 40 km from Jogindernagar and 66 km from Mandi, the district headquarters. The road to Barot branches off at Jogindernagar-Mandi high ways and from Jogindernagar the distance is 40 km. If one is lucky enough one can use the trolley up from Jogindernagar which, apart from the thrill, knocks the distance down to 12 km. Through terraced fields and thick cedar forests, the track rises to Jhatingri, an enchanting spot atop the hill.
 
Andretta Pottery
Andretta Pottery is run by Mansimran "Mini" Singh, son of famous potter Gurcharan Singh. Andretta Pottery and Craft Society was started in 1983. It is situated between the old Shuahk hills and the towering range of the Dholadhar Himalaya. As well as being a production studio pottery making attractively designed earthen slipware; it also provides 3 month courses for aspiring potters. Panchrukhi (paanch(five)-rukhi(trees)), as name suggest it had five big trees, is the main town and use to have lot of hustle and bustle.

Billing to Rajgundha day trek
This trek, also known as the Shepherds trail trek, is limited to people experienced in travel in rugged backcountry and with good know-how of hiking and camping. One of the more challenging routes, it takes one from the lush green Kullu valley to the stark landscapes of Bara Bhangal range. But for the trouble, it is a very fruitful trek that people looking for an isolated, in-tune-with-nature routes.

Uttarala
Uttrala is a small hamlet located nearly 11 km north of Baijnath. Uttrala is an ideal place to enjoy a break from the humdrum of the city life. If you are a Trekking enthusiast, this serene destination is worth the visit. The trek to Ravi valley over Jalsu Pass starts from Uttrala. Jalsu Pass (3600 m) is one of the lowest passes of the majestic Dhauladhar, and is easy to cross. Alternatively, one can also trek from Uttrala to Gdoh village.
 

Masroor Rock Temple
The rock-cut temple is a unique example of monolithic structure in the sub-Himalayan region. The beautiful and complex structure of this temple stands magnificently on a hill crest and was erected around in 8th century. The entire complex comprises more than 15 Shikhar temples and a large rectangular water tank known as 'gan' in the local dialect. Unfortunately, most of the Shikhars of this historical temple have lost their base owing to a massive earthquake in 1905.

Baijnath Temple

The Baijnath temple has been continuously under worship ever since its construction in 1204 A.D. by two local merchants named Ahuka and Manyuka. The two long inscriptions in the porch of the temple indicate that a temple of Siva existed on the spot even before the present one was constructed. The present temple is a beautiful example of the early medieval north Indian temple architecture known as Nagara style of temples. The Svayambhu form of Sivalinga is enshrined in the sanctum of the temple that has five projections on each side and is surmounted with a tall curvilinear Shikhara. The entrance to sanctum is through a vestibule that has a large square Mandapa in front with two massive balconies one each in north and south. There is a small porch in front of the mandapa hall that rests on four pillars in the front preceded by an idol of Nandi, the bull, in a small pillared shrine. The whole temple is enclosed by a high wall with entrances in the south and north. The outer walls of the temple have several niches with images of gods and goddesses. Numerous images are also fixed or carved in the walls. The outer doorway in the porch as also the inner doorway leading to the sanctum of the temple are also studded with a large number of images of great beauty and iconographic importance. Some of them are very rare to be found elsewhere.

Baghsunath temple
Bhagsunath Temple, an ancient temple 3 km east of Mcleodganj and 11 km from Dharamsala , Himachal Pradesh. This is a quiet temple and the numerous pools in the vicinity are considered sacred by devout Hindus. The annual fair in September is famous. Bhagsunath, an attractive tourist spot, is located at the outskirts of Mcleodganj.
 
Other major attractions here are a serene spring and a small but majestic waterfall. Many slate quarries are located in and around Bhagsunath. The region offers breathtaking views of surrounding hilly ranges and woody forests. The ambiance of the place is dynamic and the atmosphere is cool and pleasant. Cool breeze from the Himalayan ranges soothe the body and mind.

Chamunda Mata Temple
The demons ‘Chand” and “Mund” were 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.

Brajeshwari Temple
The Brajeshwari Devi temple, located in the old Kangra Township, is said to have been built over the charred breasts of Sati. This shrine, once renown for its great wealth, has been plundered relentlessly over the ages. The first of the plunderers was Mahmud of Ghazni, who looted it in 1009. A mosque was built on the ruins and a garrison was left behind. 35 years later, the local king regained its possession. The shrine was repaired and a replica of the idol was enshrined. The temple was filled with gold, silver and diamonds only to be ransacked again in 1360 by Firoz Tughlaq. Later Emperor Akbar visited the shrine with his Dewan, Todar Mal and restored it to its former grandeur. The temple was razed to the ground by an earthquake in 1905, but a new one came up the very same year, thanks to the Kangra Restoration Committee.

Jwalamukhi Temple
Jwalamukhi Temple is situated 30 km south of Kangra valley. It is dedicated to Goddess Jwalamukhi. There are natural flames in the temple which are worshipped as a manifestation of the nine Goddesses - Mahakali, Unpurna, Chandi, Hinglaj, Bindhya Basni, Maha Lakshmi, Saraswati, Ambika and Anji Devi. These flames burn continuously without any fuel or assistance and may be seen erupting from a rock-side.Ancient legends speak of a time when demons lorded over the Himalaya mountains and harassed the gods. Led by Lord Vishnu, the gods decided to destroy them. They focused their strengths and huge flames rose from the ground. From that fire, a young girl took birth. She is regarded as Adishakti-the first 'shakti'.

ADVENTURE ANGLING IN HIMACHAL
Himachal Pradesh the abode of gods the land of snows a tourist’s dream and delight, is also an angler’s paradise. It has some of the finest trout streams in the north.  Angling rules are liberal and the fee nominal. Angler is permitted to catch six trout a day on each license; however a trout should not be less than 40 cm in size. Trout fishing season lasts from1st November to 28th February each year.

TROUT FISHING CLOSE TO TARAGARH PALACE ARE AS FOLLOWS Barot (Mandi) 200 km from Shimla and 75 km from the Mandi town is known not only for its picturesque water reservoir and scenic beauty, but for trout fishing also which abounds in the Uhl river, a tributary of river Beas. Some of the finest fishing spots are located at Luhandi, Puran hatchery, Lachkkandi, Tikkar, Balh and Kamand.

MAHSEER FISHING CLOSE TO TARAGARH PALACE ARE AS FOLLOWS
After having savoured the delicacies of the trout, let us now come down to the comparatively less high Kangra valley, situated in the lap of the mighty Dhauladhar ranges, irrigated with streams which descend from perennial snows, and interspersed with homesteads buried in the midst of groves and fruit trees. Kangra has been known as the home of the proverbial mighty mahseer to which effect a fairly large account of evidence is available from the vivid accounts of various anglers interested in heavy fish. The river Beas and the Pong Dam reservoir provide attractive fish grounds to the anglers. Besides mahseer, the other fish available is malhi, soal, bachwa, god shingara etc. Although there are many places and rivers and streams where mahseer is available, the following beats are considered the best.

SARI MAROG
Confluence of the Binwas tributary with the river Beas. A place known for its fantastic size of fish, with deep pools and many stones and hiding places. The approach is via Palampur, Andretta and Jaisinghpur. From Sari Marog village, a 3 km footpath leads to the spot, which entails a steep and a breathtaking climb of about 45 minutes.

THE STRETCH BETWEEN HARSI PATTAN AND NADAUN
There are numerous beats on this stretch, easily accessible from the Palampur-Bhawarana-Thural road. The famous spots are the Mandh-Khad confluence, Lambagaon pool, Neogal confluence near Alampur, and Ambter, 2 km above Nadaun itself.

CHAMBA PATTAN
Accessible from Jwalamukhi via road. After 8.5 km this locality offers three good spots, viz. the Chamba Pattanpool, the Kaleshwar beat opposite Chamba Pattan village, and the Uppar Chamba Pattan Run. All these places offer safe catches and can’t be fished in one day.

KURU
Kuru village offers two fishing spots, both of which are accessible from one of the two river banks. The Kuru- Pool is the confluence of a small Khad with the Beas river, joining about 1 km above the village and forming a small bay, above and below which exceptional catches have been experienced. Access is through a 3 km- footpath from Dehra-Jwalamukhi road where a peepal tree and a small water tank is located at the rode side.

DEHRA-AND PONG DAM RESERVOIR
Pong reservoir from Dehra to the Dam proper offers excellent fishing for mahseer almost round the year when fishing is open. The Pong reservoir can be approached from Pathankot via Jassur, from Chandigarh via Talwara, and from Dharmsala via Dehta and Nagrota Surian.

ANGLING IN HIMACHAL WATERS
The streams of Himachal Pradesh fall under two categories; General waters and Trout waters, with estimated length of 600 and 2400 kms respectively. The major State’s streams include- Beas, Sutlej, Ravi,Tirthan, Sainj, Uhl, Baspa, Pabar, Lambadug, Giri, Rana, Nugal Gai, Baner, Bata, etc. The major fishes available in these streams are Trout, Mahseer, Nemacheilus spp, Barilus sp, Schizothoracids Crossocheilus sp. Glyptothorax spp. etc. Fishing in these streams is regularsied under the state fisheries Act. In trout water licences only for rod and line are permitted while in general water both rod and line as well as cast netting is all allowed.
 
TROUT WATERS CLOSE TO TARAGARH PALACE ARE AS FOLLOWS
 
RIVER LAMBADUG
Stretch : Barot to Lohardi
Stream Length : 6 Kms.
 
RIVER UHL
Stretch : Barot to Kothikhad
Stream Length : 10 Kms.
 
RIVER BEAS
Stretch : Seri mulag- Confluence of Binwa to Beas
Stream Length : 5 kms

Stretch : Harsipattan- Confluence of Kunha tributary of Beas
Stream Length : 10 kms
Stretch : Harsipattan- Confluence of Kunha tributary of Beas
Stream Length : 10 kms

Stretch : Chambapattan
Stream Length : 5 kms

Stretch : Dehra Gopipur
Stream Length : 10 kms

Stretch : Baner
Stream Length : 5 kms
 

Treks
Several trek routes lead out of Palampur, 11 Kms from Taragarh Palace, 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 Trihund and from Baijnath over the Jalsu pass to Bharmaur. 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.
 
TREK ROUTES
 
MCLEODGANJ - TRIUND- ILLAQUA GOTE- MCLEODGANJ
Trek: Moderate
Maximum Height: 3150 Mtrs.
Requirement: Little experience in Trekking 
Essential Period: April to November
 
DHARAMSALA - CHHOTA BHANGAL OVER SARI PASS KULLU
Trek: Moderate
Maximum Height: 3760 Mtrs.
Requirement: Experience in Trekking 
Essential Period: May - June, September - October.

Paragliding

BIR-BILLING PARAGLIDING
 Sheltered by the mountains and surrounded by tea gardens, Bir a small village with a Tibetan Colony and monasteries in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh; serves as a landing ground and a base for Hang and Para gliders. Their launching (take-off) destination 'Billing', is a little meadow at 2,400m (8500 ft) on the Dhauladhar ranges, 14-km up from Bir. This meadow one of the wonders of nature, perfectly designed as a launch pad, has become a legend on the international paragliding circuits and a destination for World Champion Paraglider pilots. The meadow directly above the villages of Bir and Chaugan, is one of the best gliding sites in the world.
 
From Billing, the range runs all the way to Dharamsala, separating the Kangra valley from Chamba. To the north of the meadow is the high peaks and to the south the plains. The fall from the meadow is about one kilometre and an average straight TTB ( top to bottom) flight to the Chaughan landing area lasts for about 25-30 minutes. If the conditions (like weather, wind speed and direction, cloud base of 4000-5000m etc) are right, one can make a 'Cross Country' distance flight from Billing to Manali or Billing to Dharamsala (90km). The flying is generally 'ridge-hopping' ie. getting lift from the ridges 
or cliff edges running down from the main spine of the range. 'Ridge lifts' caused by wind hitting a hillside and 'Thermals' (columns of hot air) are used by the glider to rise higher. Thermalling is an essential skill for flying in Billing. In Billing, thermals are found on a regular basis over a temple hence called the 'Thermal Devta', halfway down the eastern spur running down to Bir.
 
The temple can be identified from the air by a red ribbon tied to a tree top. In the Billing - Dharamsala flight route there are 15 or so ridges. You can have the company of the Huge Himalayan Griffin Vultures during flight. Billing is also easily top- landable.

PARA GLIDING SPOT
Billing, Bir Village, Kangra district (Himchal Pradesh , India)
Billing height: 8,500 feet

BEST TIME FOR GLIDING
March to May before the monsoon & September to November.

Tariff

RATE (PER NIGHT)

Applicable from 1^st April 2013 to 31^th March 2014. T&C Apply

Taxes : Luxury Tax 10%, Service Tax 7.42%

PACKAGES 2 NIGHTS / 3 DAYS

Applicable from 1^st April 2013 to 31^th March 2014. T&C Apply

Taxes : Luxury Tax 10%, Service Tax 7.42%, Service Charges 10%, VAT 5%, Service Tax 4.95%

Extra Bed/Occupant : 6 Years and Above 3,200/- per night MAP Taxes Extra

Meals

Taxes : Service Charges 10%, VAT 5%, Service Tax 4.95%

SOFT BEVERAGES

Taxes : Service Tax 13.75%

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Other govt tax and charges applicable.

Cost Range of Taragarh Palace Resort

(Rs.5000-Rs.7000)

Trip Advisor Ranking - Ranked #4 of 9 Kangra B&B and Inns

Holiday Travel Recommends Holidaying in Taragarh Palace Resort