IndiaPost.com - Khajjiar: The excursion destination

Khajjiar of Himachal Pradesh is located closely to Dalhousie in the district of Chamba. The place is an ideal destination for excursion. The place is extremely beautiful with its calm and quite ambiance. The place holds a lake with a floating island on it.

The Kalatop sanctuary housing wildlife in their natural habitat is located at Khajjiar and is surrounded by dense woods of deodar. The place Khajjiar derives its name from God Khajjinag in whose name a temple has been constructed there. This temple brings pilgrims from all over the country.

There is also the temple of Hidimba closely located. The plateau of Khajjiar is shaped in the form of a dish. The tranquility of the place makes it to be sometimes called as the 'mini Switzerland'. While travelling from Dalhousie to Khajjiar, you will be enthralled at the exotic sight of the Bakrota Hills. The entire journey from Dalhousie to Khajjiar is extremely enchanting as you will pass through deep, dark deodar forests. The place seems as if Mother Nature has endowed it with all her charms. Khajjiar is also an ideal picnic spot.

The lush green meadows add to the beauty of the place. The summers are pleasant while the winters are chilling. The ideal time for paying a visit to this place is during the months of March and June. A major attraction of the place is the Golf course. Kajjiar provides a spectacular and thrilling view of the snow bound white mountain ranges.

This forest area is really an awe to the tourists. Location: Khajjiar is located in the northwestern part of the state of Himachal Pradesh, in the northern region of India. It is perched at an altitude of 1951 m above sea level. Khajjiar is 22 km from Dalhousie and 24 km from Chamba. The climate of Khajjiar is alpine. Summers (April-June) are mild and winters (November-February) are cold and bitter. It experiences southwestern monsoon rains in July-September. History: The history of Khajjiar is linked to the rulers of Chamba. The local Rajput rulers ruled Chamba valley in the 6th century ad and made it their capital city.

This region became the part of the Mughal Empire in the medieval period and later came under various Sikh kingdoms. Finally, it was taken over by the British. It became a part of the state of Himachal Pradesh when it came into being on April 15, 1948. Tourists Attractions Khajjiar is a small grassy meadow (1 × 1 sq km) between tall deodar trees. This emerald opening amidst the woods has a small pond at its center. There are two floating islands in the middle of the pond; they are sometimes hidden from view by the tall grass that grows on them.

Khajjiar, known as one of the "most charming spots in the Himalayas," derives its name from its ancient, golden-domed temple of Khajinag. The 12th-century Khajinag temple is a small shrine dedicated to the local Goddess or the Devi.

Places around Khajjiar: The town of Chamba is 24 km from Khajjiar. Chamba is located in a picturesque valley, amongst the Shivalik ranges and is famous for its medieval temples. It is also known for its local festivals. The hill station of Dalhousie is 22 km from Khajjiar and is a popular summer retreat set amongst the lower Himalayan ranges.

How to reach By road - Khajjiar is a small tourist spot, and can only be reached by road. It is well connected with other towns in the Chamba valley. Buses from Chamba (1½ hour) and Dalhousie (1½ hour) stop at this picnic spot. Travelers can also hire taxis from either Dalhousie or Chamba to reach here. One can explore the pristine beauty of this spot by taking a walk in the meadow and around the small pond.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Khajjiar is between March and June

Where to stay: Tourism-of-India.com provides complete information on tourism in Khajjiar. Tourism-of-India.com offers package tours in order to make your visit to Khajjiar Pleasant.

Language: Hindi and Himachali Best time to visit: March-June