Khajjiar is a hill station in the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Dating from the 12th century, Khajji Nag Temple is dedicated to a serpent god. Nearby, the high-altitude Khajjiar Lake is surrounded by cedar forest. West, Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary is home to animals including deer and bears. Farther west, Dalhousie is a hill station with mountain views, dotted with temples and 19th-century British churches.

Places of Interest

The best entertainment in Khajjiar is to walk around the lake or to go for long walks in the thick pine forests. In winter there is snow which can be up to 910 mm (3 ft) of height. Children enjoy this place because of the freedom of movement and the sloped terrain which permits them to roll down to the lake without getting hurt. Another attraction is horse riding. There is a huge Hanuman Statue and a park.

Dauladhar Mountains

Dense deodars, pines and lush green meadows are characteristic of Khajjiar. Since Khajjiar is situated at the base of the Dauladhar mountains, the tourists here can get panoramic views of the mountains.

Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary

The Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary is a wildlife sanctuary which has a wide variety of flora and fauna. It is densely covered with Deodar and Fir forest.The place is a favorite spot for picnics and trekking.

Khajjiar Lake

Khajjiar Lake is a small lake, surrounded by saucer-shaped lush green meadow and a floating island. The dense growth of weed called vacha has made its earth spongy. Now the banks stand covered by a thick layer of earth, formed by the years of dust settling down on the weeds.

Khajji Nag Temple

A little away from the lake is the temple of Khajji Nag belonging to the 12th century AD made by the king of chamba Prithvi Singh. The temple has a golden dome due to which it is also known as Golden Devi Temple. 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. This temple is dedicated to snake (Naga) worship and there are some snake idols inside. The temple also has idols of Shiva and Goddess Hadimba.

Trekking

Khajjiar offers numerous trekking opportunities. Khajjiar to Dainkund is a 3.5-kilometre (2.2 mi) easy to moderate trek. The trek starts 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) from Khajjiar on the Dalhousie-Khajjiar road and ends at Pholani Devi Temple at Dainkund. This trek with a well-defined trail and moderate ascent is an excellent trek for beginners and children. The trek offers excellent views and a beautiful camping site.