Khajjiar, One of the Beautiful Hill Stations of Himachal Pradesh

Khajjiar is one of the most beautiful hill stations of Himachal Pradesh, located at a distance of about 24 km from Dalhousie. Due to the stunning of this place, the place is often referred as the ‘Gulmarg of Himachal

Pradesh’ by the tourists visiting this northern state of India.

The route itself from Dalhousie to Khajjiar is filled with stunning views of nature. On reaching the place, you will feel that you have entered a place that is not less in comparison with the paradise.  The entire region of this hill station is filled with lush green meadows and abounded with thick clusters of pine trees and cedar forests. Over here, you will see the herds of sheep, goats and other kinds of cattle grazing on the lush green landscapes of the region. In fact, the place provides some of the best photogenic sceneries in the world.

Attractions

Khajji Nag Temple

There is also a primeval temple in this hill station, which is considered a prime tourist attraction of Khajjiar. The temple is popularly known as the Khajji Nag temple, as it is dedicated to the serpent god. The origin of the temple dates back to 10^thcentury, which includes stunning carvings and images on the ceiling and the wooden posts. The architectural style of the temple resembles the blend of ancient Hindu and Mughal styles. The images that can be seen at this temple are believed to be that of Kauravas, during their hideout against the Pandavas. The striking images of the five Pandava brothers are also found on the wooden stands of the temple. Shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Hadimba are found within the premises of the Khajji Nag temple. Another interesting factor about this temple is the age-old temple of sacrificing a goat, which is practiced till date.

Khajjiar Lake

The lake is located close to the Kahjji Nag temple, and is at a distance of about 16 km from Dalhousie. The lake is fed by the waters of small streams that flow through this hill station. The lake is placed in the center of a huge glade, both of which are considered to be holy by the people living in this area. That is why the lake has been named after the supreme God of the Khajji Nag Temple. This is a perfect place in Khajjiar where you can spend some time in solitude enjoying the natural beauty of the place.

Apart from these there are few other attractions in this scenic hill station of Himachal, which are worth a visit while on a vacation at this place.

Best Time to Visit

The place experiences snowfall during the winter season and a pleasant climate during the summer time. So, the place can be visited anytime during the year, still the most appropriate time to visit Khajjiar is between the months of October to April.

Accommodation

As for staying at this place, the place is dotted with a considerable number of hotels and small cottages, which are run by the Tourism department of Himachal. Apart from these there are also two rest houses in Khajjiar that are considered to be a good option for accommodation. A couple of private hotels have also come up at this place, which do not serve standard quality accommodation.

How to Reach

By Air:  The nearest airport to this hill station is Gaggal airport in Dharamsala, located at a distance of 122 km.  The airport is well connected through flight with places like Kullu, Chandigarh and Delhi. The nearest international airport to Khajjiar is in Delhi, located at a distance of about 565 km. The airport is well connected with several major cities within the country as well as many international cities across the world. Tourists can get regular taxi services from both these airports in order to reach Khajiiar.

By Rail: The closest railway station to the hill station is the Pathankot station, located at a distance of about 118 km. The railway station is connected with regular trains from places like Ahmadabad, Delhi, Udhampur, Bhatinda, Hatia and few others. Regular taxi services are available outside this station to get to Khajjiar.

By Road: The hill station is well linked by well established road links with several major places within the state of Himachal Pradesh. Khajjiar receives regular public services from places like Dalhousie, Chamba and Shimla.