Are you planning to visit Himachal Pradesh? If so, in this state, one of the hill stations you can consider visiting is Khajjiar. This hill station is located near Chamba Town in the Chamba District of the state. It is located around 24 km from Dalhousie. Even if you have not heard of Khajjiar, you might have heard about Dalhousie for sure.
Khajjiar lies on a small plateau with a small lake in the middle. The hill station is popular for its forests and meadows that attract a lot of tourists. It is around 2000 metres above the sea level. Particularly, the hill station is located on the foothill of the Dahuladhar Ranges of the Western Himalayas. The hill station is part of the Kalatop Khajiar Sanctuary.
Khajjiar – An Introduction
Khajjiar is a small attractive plateau. Its uniqueness is that it is in the shape of a saucer. It is surrounded by dense deodar and pine forests. The most interesting part of this hill station is that it is one of the 160 places throughout the world to be called Mini Switzerland.
This hill station is set against the backdrop of lush green meadows, deodars and pines in Himachal Pradesh. This hill station is popular for the Khajji Naga Shrine. As the name implies, this shrine is dedicated to a serpent god. This temple dates back to the 10th century and its architecture denotes an ideal combination of Mughal and Hindu styles.
How to Reach Khajjiar?
You can reach Khajjiar by following one of the many travel options available. Here are some details to know in this regard:
By Bus
Thankfully, Khajjiar has an excellent bus network. You can find local state-run buses from the nearby towns and cities to take you to this hill station. Apart from buses run by Himachal Road Transport Corporation, you can find private-operated buses as well to help you reach the hill station. For its reasonable price and wide network, most locals rely on government-operated buses to take them to and from Kajjiar. Not only state-run buses, you can even find private buses to take you to this hill station from nearby towns, cities and villages.
By Train
Would you love to travel by train? If so, you should know that the nearest railway station is the Pathankot Junction. This railway station is located around 96 km away from the hill station. Once you reach the station, you can hire a taxi to reach Khajjiar. If you cannot find direct trains from your hometown to Pathankot, you can book trains to Delhi. From Delhi, you can find direct trains to Pathankot Junction.
By Flight
The Gaggal Airport in Dharamshala is the nearest airport to Khajjiar. This airport is located around 110 km from the hill station. It is otherwise called Kangra Airport. Once you reach this domestic airport from your hometown, you can reach the hill station by hiring a cab.
By Car
If you are travelling from Delhi, the distance to Khajjiar is around 570 km. The journey will take around 12 to 13 hours to reach the hill station from Delhi by road. If you are travelling from Chandigarh, the distance is around 320 km. In this case, the journey will take around 9-10 hours. So, make sure that you plan your drive accordingly to reach Khajjiar safely by car. The popular routes by car include Chandigarh-Dalhousie-Khajjiar and Panthkot-Dalhousie-Khajjiar.
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Key Attractions & Things To Do
When you plan your visit to Khajjiar, you will be interested in knowing about the key attractions and things to do. The best entertainment in this hill station is to walk around the lake. Otherwise, you can go for long walks in the thick pine forests in this hill station. When you plan your visit during the winter, you can find snow has grown up to 3 feet in height. Paragliding and horse riding are also popular attractions in this hill station. Here are some attractions and things to do when you are in this hill station:
Visit the Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary
If you are a wildlife enthusiast, you can visit this place when you are at Khajjiar. This sanctuary is located on the slopes between Dalhousie and Khajjiar in Himachal Pradesh. It spreads over an area of 30.69 square km and is covered with deodar trees. The vegetation also encompasses Rhododendron, blue pine and green oak trees.
Established in 1958, this sanctuary was once a gaming reserve for the Chamba rulers. The key attraction of this sanctuary is the little streams of waterfalls that flow into the river. This sanctuary is home to langur, jackel, barking goral, leopard, Himalayan black Marten, bear and deer. You can also find many beautiful birds on the campus.
Visit the Khajjiar Lake
As mentioned earlier, walking around this lake is one of the important activities that tourists do in this hill station. The lake is surrounded by hills, grasslands and deodar forests and is spread over 1.5 square kilometres, this lake is an ideal spot for picnics as well. Water from different streams fills this lake and makes it attractive.
Khajji Naga Temple
The 12th Century Khajji Naga Temple is one of the holiest and most ancient temples in the state of Himachal Pradesh. As I mentioned above, this temple is dedicated to Khajji Nag, who is the king of serpents. The hill station has got its name due to this temple. The temple is located close to the Khajjiar Lake. The temple has been built in a dome shape. It houses the images of Kauravas and Pandavas. Also, you can worship idols of Hadimba and Lord Shiva. The chambers of the temple are carved out of wood.
Visit Gandhi Chowk
Do you love shopping? If so, you should visit Gandhi Chowk without fail when you are visiting Khajjiar. This is the main market in the hill station. From this bustling market, you can buy a wide range of products. Examples include traditional Himachal hats, handcrafted jewellery and woollen shawls.
Go to Panchpula
How about visiting a waterfall? You can get this requirement met by visiting the Panchpula Waterfalls close to Khajjiar. Apart from the flowing water, the lush green forests that surround the waterfall make it an ideal picnic spot for day trips from the hill station.
Trek to Daikund Peak
Are you a trekking enthusiast? If so, Khajjiar can quench your thirst for trekking with Daikund Peak. This peak is located in Dalhousie and it offers breathtaking views of the Himalayan Ranges. Once you are on the top of the peak, you can worship in a temple on the hilltop dedicated to Goddess Kali.
Golden Devi Temple
This temple is also located near the lake. Apart from satiating the interest of spiritual seekers, this temple is an excellent spot for photography enthusiasts.
Trekking
Khajjiar is an important attraction among trekkers. The reason is that the hill station offers a lot of trekking opportunities. From this hill station, you can trek to Dainkund, which is an easy-to-moderate trek. The starting point of this trek is 6 km away from Khajjiar. It is on the Dalhousie to Khajjiar Road. The ending point is the Pholani Devi Temple at Daikund.
Best Time & Season to Visit
I should say that Khajjiar is a year-round destination. However, some seasons are better to visit than others. So, based on your preferences, you can choose one of the following seasons to visit the hill station:
- Summer Season Between March and June: This season is chosen by most tourists. The reason is that the weather will be pleasant during this season. The temperatures in the hill station will range between 10 and 25 degrees Celsius. So, you can engage in outdoor activities and sightseeing comfortably during this season.
- Monsoon Season Between July and September: During this season, the hill station becomes lush green. But, there will be heavy rainfalls and so, there are chances of landslides.
- Winter Season Between October and February: During this season, snow will create a blanket on the landscapes of the hill station. So, you can experience a magical winter wonderland. However, temperatures can be very freezing. So, you should pack your clothing accordingly.
Duration to See
You can plan a one to two-day trip to explore this hill station. Within two days, you can explore the key attractions of this place and enjoy its serene ambience. If you wish to include trekking and exploring nearby places like Chamba and Dalhousie in your itinerary, you can plan a 3 to 4-day trip.
Best Restaurants & Cafes
- Sharma Vaishno Dhaba
- Deodar Cafe
- Cafe Manimahesh
- The Kettle House
- The Colonial Restaurant
- Punjabi Rasoi
- Puri Guest House
- Hotel Country Resort
Where to Stay? Best Resorts
- Fortune Khajjiar
- WolfandWoods
- Aanatham Country Resort
- Hotel Mini Swiss
- Royal Residency
- The Devdar
- Shining Star Resort
- Deodar Manor Heritage Guest House
- The Hosteller Khajjiar
- NotOnMap Mystic Village
Entry Fee & Ticket Prices
Most attractions in Khajjiar like meadows and lakes do not charge any entry fee. However, for adventure activities in the hill station, you will have to pay some entry fee.
FAQ
Can I Visit Khajjiar During Winter?
Yes, you can visit. However, snowfall can at times block the roads. So, if you are travelling by car, make sure to check the weather and road conditions before you start.
Is Khajjiar Suitable For Family Trips?
Yes, the hill station is suitable for family trips. The reason is that the hill station offers something for everyone. From adventure activities for youngsters to serene landscapes for elders, this destination is ideal for families.
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