Khajjiar is a very popular hill station that is situated in the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Khajjiar is located on a small plateau that comprises a small stream-fed lake in the middle that has been covered completely by weeds. The hill station is beautifully surrounded by meadows and forests. Khajjiar can be reached from Dalhousie, which is the nearest major town and hill station, by bus in an hour. There are lots of tourist places to visit in khajjiar. It comprises a rare combination of all three ecosystems: lake, pasture, and forest. In 1992, Mr. Willy T. Blazer, Vice Counselor and Head of Chancery of Switzerland in India brought Khajjiar onto the world tourism map and called it “Mini Switzerland”. He also placed a signboard of a yellow Swiss hiking footpath showing Khajjiar’s distance from the Swiss capital Berne as -6194 km. Khajjiar is among the 160 locations in the world that face a topographical resemblance to Switzerland. The counselor also took a stone from Khajjiar to make it a part of a stone collage around the Swiss Parliament to remind the visitors of Khajjiar as a “Mini Switzerland of India”. The beauty of this place is so mesmerizing that tourists will lose themselves there. Khajjiar is also called Gulmarg of Himachal Pradesh and also serves as a starting point of the trek to Chamba. Khajjiar also has activities like horse riding, paragliding, and trekking so favorite spot for adventure lovers. The place is famous for its beautiful landscapes, lakes, and noiseless environments among travelers. The best time to explore khajjiar is between March and June as the place is quite mild in winter.
1. Khajjiar Lake
Lake is surrounded by evergreen cedar trees, the lake is located in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, India. The name of the lake is derived from the nearby temple Khajji nag. Khajjiar lake is situated at an elevation of 1920metres. Khajjiar lake covers an area of 5000 sqm and is considered a holy lake due to a connection with the Khajji nag temple. The lake is set near a huge grassy landscape and is beautified with evergreen cedar trees surrounding it from all sides. The lake takes its name from Khajji Nag, the deity worshipped in the temple nearby. The lake has considerably shrunk over the years due to adverse weather conditions and is now almost on the verge of vanishing. Tourists can enjoy a spectacular view of mount Kailash from khajjiar lake on a clear and sunny day. Tourists can enjoy various activities and enjoy the astonishing view of a lake surrounded by green landscapes. Tourists can enjoy paragliding, zorbing, and horse riding. The best time to explore the lake is between May to October as the weather is very pleasant during that time. Your trip to khajjiar is incomplete without a visit to khajjiar lake. This is one of the best places to visit in khajjiar with your family avoiding the crowded atmosphere of the city.
Timing- Open 24 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
2. Khajji Nag Temple
The temple of Khajji Nag is located near Khajjiar Lake. It belongs to the 12th century AD and was made by the king of Chamba Preeti Singh. The temple is dedicated to Khajji nag, who is the lord of serpents. The temple is made up of wooden architecture and there are images on the roof depicting the win of Pandavas from Kauravas in the epic battle of Mahabharata. The temple has a golden dome and due to this reason, it is also known as the ‘Golden Devi Temple. It exhibits a mix of Hindu and Muslim styles. This temple is dedicated to snake (Nāga) worship and there are some snake idols that have been situated inside. The interiors have idols of lord shiva and the goddess Hidimba. It is one of the famous holy Places to visit in Khajjiar.
Timing- 5:00 AM To 12:00 Noon And 4:00 PM To 8:00 pm
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
3. Dalhousie Khajjiar Road
The Dalhousie-Khajjiar road was opened to cover a distance of about 24 km between Dalhousie and Khajjiar. This ensured ease of tourism for travelers helped in saving time and ensured easy conveyance. But the road gets blocked due to heavy snowfall in the area. Trust me, your trip is complete without a ride on Dalhousie Khajjiar Road. Hence, don’t forget to visit here whenever you travel to Khajjiar.
Timing- Open 24 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
4. Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary
Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary is a well-visited animal sanctuary that is located at Kalatop and Khajjiar in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, India. Kalatop means thick and kale top wildlife sanctuary is covered with black forests. The sanctuary is rich in flora and fauna. The sanctuary is also famous for medical plants and herbs. The sanctuary also has a variety of wildlife animals like bears, leopards, deer, jackals, muntjak, Himalayan tahr, goral, squirrel, etc. There are more than 117 species of birds there. Treks and jungle safari are the best way to explore the forests. Tourists can also view Pir Panjal range from sanctuary rest house and the view leaves an everlasting impression on tourists. It is a famous picnic spot and a perfect place for walks and trekking. The best time to visit this sanctuary is between March and June. Ensure to spend 3 hours at this place to explore this beautiful place of nature. I give my advice to you if you are going to places to visit in khajjiar then definitely go here.
Timing- 7:00 AM To 6:00 PM
Entry Fee- Forest Reserve Entry Permit INR 250
5. Khajjiar Trek
Another best attractive places to visit in khajjiar is khajjiar trek. It is For those people who love trekking, this is the right spot for them. Beautiful views, activities, and adventures add to the fun and experience one gains on the trek. It is truly a paradise for trekkers. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and get ready for trekking at this beautiful place. Hey, don’t forget to carry your camera as you are going to have a spectacular view of nature.
Timing- Open 24 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
6. Lord Shiva Statue
There is an 85 feet statue of Lord Shiva, the tallest in Himachal Pradesh. The statue is built and polished in bronze and a glistening statue is a sight to behold. The lord shiva statue construction was started in 2006 and completed in 2008. There is also a festival organized during the month of June and July and devotees visit the temple during the festival Jaguars are also performed at night. After that free food is served by the temple management committee to poor people. During winter the statue is covered with snow and becomes a wonderful sight to watch. Locals believed that if you visit the nearby lord shiva temple and lord shiva statue then all your wishes come true. The temple is situated 1km from Chamba and can be visited by bus or taxi. It is a must-visit tourist place in khajjiar
Timing- 10:00 AM To 6:00 PM
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
7. Golden Devi Temple
The temple is located on the edge of the khajjiar lake and devotees from all religions visit this temple. The name golden Devi temple is derived as there is a golden dome inside the temple. The temple also has a golf course near it. The lake alongside the temple makes it a beautiful sight to spend an evening with your family. The scenic view of the sunset from the temple leaves an everlasting impression on tourists. The religious vibes around the temple make the devotees forget their sorrows for a time. The golden spire of the temple is its major attraction. Tourists will require 1 to 2 hours to explore the temple and the scenic view surrounding the golden Devi temple. March to June is the best time to visit here.
Timing- 7:00 AM To 8:00 PM
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
8. HP State Handicraft Center
If you want to explore the local flavors and do shopping, then this is the perfect place for you in places to visit in Khajjiar. The store has handmade carpets, wall hangings, furniture, jewelry, wooden handicrafts, showpieces, and woolen clothes. The wool of the store is famous among locals as the quality of the wool is very soft. Tourists buy gifts for their families and friends. Tourists can also buy Tibetan handicrafts at affordable prices. If you love to do bargaining and do lots of shopping, then what are you waiting for, go and explore the place. Tourists also enjoy Chinese food like momos and spicy noodles available near the place. So this place is a great combination for shopping lovers and food lovers. Tourists easily spent 2 to 3 hours at this place.
Timing- 10:00 AM To 6:00 PM
Entry Fee- INR 150 For Indians And INR 300 For Foreigners
9. Dhauladhar Range
The Dhauladhar range also known as The White Range is part of a lesser Himalayan chain of mountains. It rises from the Indian plains to the north of Kangra and Mandi and lies on its southern spur above the Kangra Valley, which divides it from Chamba. It is regarded as the highest peak in the range is the Hanuman Tibba, approached from Beas Kund/Manali.
Timing- Open 24 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
10. Kailash Village
It is believed that Mount Kailash is home to lord shiva and the goddess Parvati. The Kailash villages include Ladi, rota, and many other villages. From these villages, you can enjoy wonderful views of mount Kailash on a clear and sunny day. Tourists can also interact with locals to know about the history of the villages and have delicious Himachali food. The villages are surrounded by thick forests and hills and the scenic beauty of the place will melt your heart. The villages are also famous among tourists as they are surrounded by apple orchards. This is the perfect place for nature lovers and for tourists who want to spend a relaxing day from their busy routine life. Tourists can also click photographs to capture scenic beauty with them for a lifetime. Tourists can also explore villages by horse riding. The perfect time to visit the place is from May to December.
Timing- Open 24 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
11. Panch Pandav Trees
The tree has six shoots and a story behind it, although the six shoots are the same. The story is connected with the mythological epic of Mahabharata and Locals believed that the five shoots of the tree represent five Pandavas and the last shoot represents their wife Draupadi. The tree is located near a beautiful rest house. This tree is a very famous picnic places to visit in khajjiar. The tree also leads the way to Khajjiar school and village. It is advisable to explore the tree during day time. tourists will require only an hour to explore the panch Pandav tree. The ideal time to visit the place is from January to march. Tourists may also come across the tree which has 15 shoots and is known as the mother tree of the entire region. The surroundings of the tree are very alluring.
Timing- Open 24 Hours
Entry Fee- No Entry Fee
