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Shaped like a saucer, this huge bowl of 7 emerald-turfed
meadows, 1.6-km long and 0.9-km broad, lies embedded beneath a dense pine
forest, surrounded by high mountains, and fringed by gigantic deodars.
Along its fringes, amidst the thick forests above the woods and in the
centre of the glade, is a small lake fed by streams that traverse the
green carpet. Hutchinson wrote, "Khajjiar is a forest glade of great
beauty, 6,400 feet above sea level". Khajjiar is often referred as
the "Gulmarg of Himachal Pradesh".
On 07-07-1992, Mr. Willy T. Blazer, Vice Counselo
r
and Head of Chancery of Switzerland in India, brought Khajjiar on the
world tourism map by christening it "Mini Switzerland". He also
put a sign board of a yellow Swiss hiking footpath showing Khajjiar's
distance from the Swiss capital Berne-6,194-kms. Khajjiar is among the 160
locations in the world that bear topographical resemblance with
Switzerland. The Counselor also took from Khajjiar a stone, which will
form part of a stone collage around the Swiss Parliament to remind the
visitors of Khajjiar as Mini Switzerland of India.
LAKES
The Lake: Set in the rolling green turf is a small lake. The earth
is 'spongy' due to dense growth of weed called 'vacha' over which dust has
formed a thick layer of earth.
TEMPLES
Golden Devi Temple: Adding to the charms of Khajjiar, which also
hugs a golden-domed Devi temple, is a golf course set in the midst of the
idyllic surroundings. The golden spire of the Devi's abode beckons one to
the fringe of the lake.
Khajji Nag Temple: A little away from the lake is the temple of
Khajji Nag belonging to 12th century A.D. In the mandapa of the temple one
can see the images of the Pandavas and the defeated Kaurvas hanging from
the roof of the circumambulatory path. The sanctum of the temple has been
beautifully carved from wood.
Air: The airport at Gaggal in Kangra is at a
distance of 18-km.
Rail: The closest rail head is at Pathankot, 120-km away.
Road: Khajjiar is connected by road and is 26-km from Dalhousie
and 24-km from Chamba. It is
520-km from Delhi .
Accommodation is available in the form of Tourist Bungalow, Youth hostel and Guesthouses, there are also a few economical modern hotels. Hotel Devdar (HPTDC)
In winter, temperature can lower just above freezing point when heavy woollens are required but summer is quite pleasant time in Khajjiar and light woollens or cottons are recommended.
Gaggal: 18-km
Dalhousie: 26-km
Chamba: 24-km
Pathankot: 120-km.