A Serene Tour of Saurabh Van Vihar at Palampur

I have been writing recently a few articles about some of the amazing and beautiful tourist spots I visited during my vacation to Himachal Pradesh. And today's article is on a serene tour of Saurabh Van Vihar, a nature park at Palampur. Dedicated to Captain Saurabh Kalia, a valorous and lionhearted soldier who was martyred in the Kargil war, the park is an astonishing tourist attraction.

History of Saurabh Van Vihar

In the 1999 Kargil war, Captain Saurabh Kalia of the Indian Army fought valiantly for the country. For 20 days he faced severe torture and succumbed to his life in the battle. In honor of his courageous and brave act, Saurabh Van Vihar was constructed, serving as his memoir. Besides, the park is about conserving the natural resources and the wildlife around. This way, it will be a great honor for the soldiers who sacrificed their lives fighting for India.

You can find the statue of the honorable Captain etched inside the park.

Interesting facts about the park

Located on the banks of Neugel Khad, a stream of water, Saurabh Van Vihar blooms with natural beauty. Before entering the park, you must walk over the bridge above the water stream. You can feel the soothing breeze in the air and the freshness around. A quiet stroll must definitely be a good refresher.

The entire park is stretched for an area of about 13 kilometers with plenty of trees, plants, streams of water, boulders, a children's park, a boating arena, cafes, an aquarium, and resting areas. The place is truly an ideal place to hang out during weekends for the locals and for the tourists, another great tourist spot to visit in Himachal Pradesh.

The best part of the park is the panoramic view of the majestic Dhauladhar mountain ranges, enhancing the beauty of the park. So if you are a nature lover, do definitely visit the park and enjoy the peace and serenity dwelling all around.

The noble objective behind constructing the park

Conservation of the environment and preventing any degradation of nature were the main purposes behind constructing the park. It would create awareness among the locals and the tourists about the need of protecting nature and its resources. People of all age groups and genders can enjoy their time in the park in the vicinity of nature. Listening to the chirping of the birds and tuning into their rhythm is bliss.

Things to do at Saurabh Van Vihar

Stroll around the park, appreciating nature, the plants, trees, shrubs, and the picnic sheds. Both day and night, you will love the picturesque views and the greenery along with it. The boulders throughout the park add more to the charm. There are several spots inside the park where you can pose and click some photographs.

Just as you enter the park, a few meters away is an aquarium. You can watch quite a number of different species of fish much to your amazement. The kids would definitely love the aquarium learning about the fish. You can capture some pictures of the fish, with bright colors swimming inside the tanks.

Birdwatching is another interesting activity you can enjoy alone, with family, or with friends. Several local birds can be seen chirping and flying around, creating an alluring environment. That's what is called being in the lap of nature.

There is a small lake inside Saurabh Van Vihar where you can go boating. The glacier of the Dhauladhar mountain ranges is the source of water supply for the lake. There are paddle boats for two and four whichever you like to opt for. The atmosphere around the lake is magnificent and tranquil. And if you feel hungry or want to quench your thirst, then there is a cafe right inside the park. You can sit inside or outside, have some tea or coffee and even munch on some snacks.

How to reach the park?

Saurabh Van Vihar is situated just about 2 km from Palampur. You can drive a cab or catch a mode of public transport to reach the park.

Timings: 9.30 AM to 6.30 PM, all 7 days of the week

Entry fees: 20 INR per person