# Khajjiar

Khajjiar is a hill station near the town of Chamba in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, India, located approximately 24 kilometres (15 mi) from Dalhousie. It lies on a small plateau with a stream-fed lake at its center. Surrounded by the meadows and forests, Khajjiar lies about 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) above sea level in the foothills of the Dhauladhar range in the Western Himalayas. It is also part of the Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary.
Khajjiar can be reached from Dalhousie, the nearest major town. The area features a combination of three ecosystems: lake, pasture, and forest.

## Mini Switzerland

On 7 July 1992, Swiss envoy Willy P. Blazer, Vice-Counselor and Head of the Chancery of Switzerland in India brought Khajjiar onto the world tourism map by calling it 'Mini Switzerland'. He also erected a sign featuring a yellow Swiss hiking footpath symbol, showing Khajjiar's distance from the Swiss capital, Bern: "6,194 km" or 3,849 mi. Khajjiar is one of 160 locations worldwide that bear a topographical resemblance to Switzerland. The envoy also took a stone from Khajjiar, which will form part of a stone collage around the Swiss Parliament to remind visitors that Khajjiar is the 'Mini Switzerland of India'.

## Accommodation

There is a hotel and several cottages run by HP Tourism in Khajjiar where tourists can stay. In addition, there are two rest houses, one each operated by the P.W.D. and the Forest Department. A few private hotels have also been established, although they do not match the aforementioned accommodations in terms of location and amenities.

## Travel

Most tourists travel to Khajjiar by private or rented vehicles. Bus service to and from Khajjiar is limited, and timing changes according to local demands.

## Places of interest

Main attractions at Khajjiar include walking around the lake, paragliding and hiking through the pine forests. In winters, snow accumulation can reach up to 910 mm (3 feet) in height. The sloped terrain makes it a preferred spot for families, and children can safely roll down to the lake. Other attractions include horse riding and paragliding, as well as a large Hanuman statue and a park.

### Dhauladhar mountains

Khajjiar features dense deodars, pines , and lush green meadows. It is situated at the base of the Dhauladhar mountains, offering panoramic views of the peaks.

### Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary

The Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. It is densely covered with deodar and fir trees, making it a preferred spot for picnics and trekking.

### Khajjiar Lake

Khajjiar Lake is a small lake surrounded by a saucer-shaped meadow and a floating island. The growth of a weed called vacha has made the earth spongy. Over time, the banks have become covered by a thick layer of earth formed by years of dust settling on the weeds.

### Khajji Nag temple

A little away from the lake stands the Khajji Nag Temple, built in the 12th century CE by Prithvi Singh, the king of Chamba. The temple features a golden dome, also known as Golden Devi Temple. Inside mandapa, one can see the images of the Pandavas and the defeated Kauravas hanging from the roof of the circumambulatory path. The sanctum of the temple is carved from wood. This temple is dedicated to snake (Nāga) worship, and it houses several snake idols. Additionally, there are idols of Shiva and the Goddess Hadimba.

## Trekking

Khajjiar offers numerous trekking opportunities. One of the popular treks is from Khajjiar to Dainkund, a 3.5-kilometre (2.2 mi) trial of easy to moderate difficulty. The trek begins 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) from Khajjiar on the Dalhousie-Khajjiar road and ends at the Pholani Devi Temple in Dainkund. With a well-defined trail and moderate ascent, this trek is mainly for beginners and children. Along the way, trekkers are rewarded with stunning views and a beautiful camping spot.

## Gallery

* 18 April 2019
* 18 April 2019
* 18 April 2019
* Grasslands of Khajjiar, July 2012