mid winter day and also commemorates the last sowing of the Rabi crops. Community bonfires, folk songs and dancing, mark the festival. Local folk songs known as 'lukdiyan' are sung by children, door to door. A special type of sacrament is being made from roasted rice, sugar and peanuts called as 'tilcholi'. Palampur Holi Fair is held at Capt. Vikram Batra Stadium. On these days many cultural activities are held. Many singers visit Palampur fair on these days, and tableaux representing different gods are made. Transport By air SpiceJet and Air India operate daily flights from New Delhi to Kangra Airport which is just 40 km from Palampur. Air India has started a direct flight from Chandigarh International Airport to Kangra Airport from October 2019. By rail Palampur is connected by the narrow gauge Kangra Valley Railway, Pathankot to Joginder Nagar. The railway station is named Palampur (Himachal). It is situated 4 km from ISBT. By road Palampur is well connected by road to all major cities and towns in and around the state. Pathankot-Mandi National Highway 154 (India) (Old NH 20) is the major highway that passes through Palampur. Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) is the best way to travel plying air-conditioned, deluxe and semi-deluxe buses from major cities like Delhi and Chandigarh. Education and research CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University Sri Sai University Notable persons Captain Saurabh Kalia Major General Siri Kanth Korla, DSO, MC, PVSM Major Som Nath Sharma, PVC Major Sudhir Kumar Walia, AC, SM* Captain Vikram Batra, PVC References Cities and towns in Kangra district