Khajjiar is one of India’s most beautiful and breathtaking hill station. It is located in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh at a height of 6500 feet. The circumference of the hill station is approximately 6kms. It is about 560 kms away from the capital city. Khajjiar also earned the title of “Mini Switzerland”. It is one of the 160 destinations in the world that share the same tropical similarity to Switzerland. This title was given in the year 1992 by the Vice chancellor and head of chancery of Switzerland, Mr. Willy Blazers. Local people also call it Switzerland of India.
As compared to other places in Himachal Pradesh, Khajjiar is not a very popular destination amongst tourist. This is because, when people plan a trip to Himachal they usually go to Shimal, Kullu or Manali because these are much commercialized. On the other hand Khajjiar is a quiet place with lush green meadows, snowcapped Himalayan peaks and beautiful thick forests. Hence this hill station is something new and refreshing for people. The nearest town to this hill station is Pathankot which is also 98 kms away.
Khajjiar has its tourist period between March and September. In this period people hereare seen taking part in adventurous activities like Zorbing, trekking and many more. This hill station has the perfect terrain for trekking, making it a popular activity here.
The hill station has a few tourists’ spots where people can enjoy the beauty and the history of this place. The most famous is the Khajji Nag Temple. The temple was built in the 12th century and is said to be the most sacred places in all of Himachal Pradesh. The temple is devoted to Lord Khajji Nag, who is the lord of serpents. Name of the hill station was derived from this temple. It is located near the Khajjiar Lake. The temple is dome-shaped with pictures of the Pandavas and the Kauravas hanging from the roof. The architecture of the temple is a mix of Hindu as well as Muslim style making it one of its kind.
The Khajjiar Lake is the next popular place. As mentioned above Khajii Nag temple is located near this lake. So if you visit the temple then you should definitely see this lake as well. It is also considered a holy lake as it is near the temple. It is the perfect picnic destination with a mesmerizinglandscape.
Khajjiar has a high diversity of flora and fauna. This is the reason there is a Wildlife Santuary called Kalatop situated here. The sanctuary covers an area of about 30.70 sq km, which is covered with deodar trees all around. You can also spot animals like Jackal, Leopard, Black bear, wild cats and many more. It also has a rich flora with trees like green oak, blue pine, etc. It is located in the slopes between Dalhousie and Khajjiar. The most favorable time to visit the sanctuary is in between March and May.
This picturesque hill station should definitely make as a priority on your bucket list. It is the perfect getaway for people who are looking for some adventure like trekking, hiking and more. You can enjoy Khajjiar with family as well as alone.
