Khajjiar is a hill station close to the town of Chamba in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, India, about 24 kilometres (15 miles) from Dalhousie.
Khajjiar is situated on a small plateau containing a lake fed by a stream and overgrown with vegetation. Meadows and forests encompass the hill station. Peaks can be seen in the distance from the foothills of the Dhauladhar ranges in the Western Himalayas, which are approximately 2,000 metres (6,500 feet) above sea level. It’s a component of the Kalatop Khajiar Sanctuary.
Dalhousie, the closest major town and hill station, can be reached by bus in about an hour from Khajiar. It has a rare combination of lake, pasture, and forest ecosystems.
Why is Khajjiar known as the mini Switzerland
On 7 July 1992, Swiss Envoy Willy P. Blazer, Vice-Consul and Head of Chancery of Switzerland in India, renamed Khajjiar “Mini Switzerland” and placed it on the global tourism map. He also placed a sign on a yellow Swiss hiking trail indicating the distance between Khajjiar and Bern, the capital of Switzerland: “6,194 kilometres” or 3,848 miles. Khajjiar is one of the 160 locations in the world that resemble Switzerland topographically. The counsellor also brought a stone from Khajjiar to be incorporated into a stone collage that will be placed around the Swiss Parliament to remind visitors of Khajjiar’s status as the “Mini Switzerland of India.”
You can stay at our Rakkh Resort, a Luxury Resort in Palampur India, perched on top of a hill with the pristine backdrop of the Dhauladhar snow-capped ranges is where traditional ambiance and individual service marries attention to detail, ensuring a most serene stay.
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Locations of interest
The best form of entertainment in Khajjiar is walking around the lake or through the dense pine forests. There can be up to 910 mm (3 feet) of snow in the winter. Children enjoy this location because of their freedom of movement and the sloped terrain that allows them to safely roll down to the lake. Additional activities include horseback riding and paragliding. There is a park and a large Hanuman statue.
Dauladhar mountains
Khajjiar is distinguished by its dense deodars, pines, and verdant meadows. Due to Khajjiar’s location at the foot of the Dauladhar Mountains, tourists can enjoy panoramic mountain views.
Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary
The Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary that is home to an abundance of flora and fauna. It is heavily forested with deodar and fir. The location is popular for picnics and hiking.
Khajjiar Lake
Khajjiar Lake is a small lake surrounded by a lush green meadow in the shape of a saucer and a floating island. The dense growth of the weed known as Vacha has rendered the soil spongy. After years of dust settling on the weeds, the riverbanks are now covered by a thick layer of soil.
Khajji Nag temple
Prithvi Singh, king of Chamba, constructed the Khajji Nag temple in the 12th century CE, a short distance from the lake. Due to its golden dome, the temple is also known as the Golden Devi Temple. In the mandapa of the temple, the defeated Pandavas and Kauravas are depicted on the roof of the circumambulatory path. The temple’s sanctum has been carved from wood. This temple is dedicated to the worship of snakes (Naga), and it contains snake idols. The temple also contains statues of Shiva and Hadimba.
Trekking
Khajjiar offers numerous hiking opportunities. Khajjiar to Dainkund is a 3.5-kilometre (2.2 mi) easy-to-moderate trek. The trek begins six kilometres (3.7 miles) from Khajjiar along the Dalhousie-Khajjiar road and concludes at the Pholani Devi Temple at Dainkund. This hike, which features a well-defined path and a moderate ascent, is ideal for beginners and children. The trek offers breathtaking views and a lovely camping spot.
The Indian state of Himachal Pradesh includes the village of Naddi. It is situated in the upper portions of the Kangra valley at a height of 2000 metres above sea level. The Dalai Lama’s home town of Mc Leod Ganj, which is 3 kilometres away from the village, is well-known internationally.
The streets of Dharamshala are lined with a variety of mouthwatering cuisine. Thenthuck, Tibetan Noodles, Bok Choy Soup, Kimbap, Fried Momos, Thukpa, Shakshuka and many other dishes are among them.
Formerly a British colonial possession, Mcleodganj is now well-known for being the residence of the Dalai Lama. It is currently one of the best locations to experience Tibetan culture. The Tibetan Museum, which is housed within the Tsuglagkhang complex, is the most well-known museum to visit here.
You can visit the beautiful Nadi village which is just a few kilometers away from Rakkh Resort in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.