khajjiar
Location: Himachal Pradesh
Altitude: 1,951m.
Places of Interest: The Lake, Golden Devi Temple
Best Time To Visit: May-July & September-November
Shaped like a saucer, this huge bowl of 7 emerald-turned 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 center of the glade, do streams that traverse the green carpet feed a small lake? 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 Counselor and Head of Chancery of Switzerland in India, brought Khajjiar on the world tourism map by christening it "Mini Switzerland". He also put a signboard 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.
PRIME ATTRACTION
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.
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 AD 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.
HOW TO GET THERE
Air: The airport at Gaggal in Kangra is at a distance of 18-km.
Rail: The closest railhead 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.
CLIMATE 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.
NEARBY CITIES
Gaggal:18-km
Dalhousie:26-km
Chamba:24-km
Pathankot:120-km |
