Khajjiar “Mini Switzerland” Himachal Pradesh
Khajjiar is a small town located near Dalhousie, around 24 kms away from Dalhousie and at an altitude of 6,500 feet above sea level. It is aunique combination of forest ,lakes, landscapes and one will enjoy natural beauty here. Khajjiar is surrounded by greenery and dense forests and it is also known for its beautiful temples and for its nine-golf course. This region also attracts adventure seekers and has a lot of options in adventure sports like paragliding, horse riding, zorbing, trekking etc. However, the way to Khajjiar can be closed sometimes during winters because of heavy snowfall. Khajjiar is a must visit place for everyone coming to Dalhousie and its nearby regions.
On July 7, 1992, Khajjiar was called the 'mini Switzerland' by the then Vice-Counsellor and Head of the Chancery of Switzerland in India, Willy Blazer. A sign board is available which showed the distance between Khajjiar and Swiss capital-Bern. He took a stone from Khajjiar to be installed in the stone collage around the Swiss Parliament to always remind people of Khajjiar as the 'Mini Switzerland'.
How to Reach Us
By Air Gaggal airport is the nearest Airport in Dharamshala at a distance of around 120 km. Taxis/cabs are available from Airport.
By Rail Pathankot is the nearest Railway Station located at a distance of around 118 km. Taxis/cabs are available from Railway station.
By Road State-owned and private buses are available on the route. Khajjiar is very well connected by road to all the important towns of Himachal Pradesh.
Best Season to visit
Summer (March - July) The temperatures remain moderate. This is the best time for sightseeing.
Winter (November - March) The winters are extremely cold with heavy snowfall.
Food Limited options is available here, generally hotels, resorts and lodges have more variety. Few restaurants are available for Indian foods.Street joints are available where one can find noodles and soups.
Attractions
Khajjiar Lake
Khajjiar lake is located at an altitude of around 1920 mtrs. and is about 16 km from Dalhousie and about 22 km from Chamba . It is 1.5 km long and 1 km wide.This place is surrounded by cedar forest, snow covered Himalayas.This is a popular tourist spot who wanted a relief from there daily busy schedule life can enjoy this place. The lake remains full of water in all the season no rain is required for survival. Khajjiar is famous for its paragliding and horse riding.
Chamera Lake
Chamera lake is a artificial lake and come into existence when Chamera Hydroelectric project was launched, this is the reservoir of the Chamera dam which is built over the River Ravi. The Dam site is located at a height of approx. 892 mtrs. above sea level.
Kailash View and Horse Riding
Mount Kailash is the home of Lord Shiva and one can see the Mountain kailash from Khajjiar ground. Tourist can also enjoy horse riding at a nominal charge ,riding is enjoyable horses are well trained.
Panch Pandav Tree
This tree is located near a rest house while moving towards Khajjiar School. The Panch Pandav Tree is a very popular tree located on the ground of Khajjiar and famous for its shoots. There is a total of 6 shoots coming out of the tree. However, the shoots and the main root of the tree are the same. Local people of Khajjiar say that the five shoots of this tree stand for the Five Pandavas and the last one stands for Draupadi.
Rest Houses at Khajjiar
Rest houses looks very beautiful and is situated in the farmost corner of the Khajjiar ground. There are many rest houses available outside the ground.
Khajjiar Villages
There are various small villages available like khajjiar village, rota village, ladi village etc. villages are far from each other, and there are many apple trees are available and in the season it is full of apples.
Khajji Nag Temple
Khajjiar is famous for Khajji Nag , the lord of serpents, it is a 12th century A.D temple and one can find snake idols here. This temple is made in a pahari style, in wooden carvings pandavas images are available. It is a saying that pandavas used to visit this place in their deport period.
Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary
It covers an area of 61 square kilometers spread across the Himalayan mountain slopes of 1,158 to 2,768 meters above sea level.This Sanctuary is a home to a wide variety of flora and fauna like Brown Bear, Leopard, Cat, barking Deer, Goral, Jackal, Langur, Marten, Serow, Kashmiri and common giant flying Squirrel. One can also go on wildlife safari and forest guest houses are also available.
Golden Devi temple
This temple is very close toKhajjiar lake . There is a ‘golden’ domed temple at the boundary of this meadow, dedicated to the deity ‘Khajinag’, from whom the area derives its name.
