Khajjiar, a small tourist resort of Chamba, is India's own "Mini Switzerland". Located at an altitude of 6,500 ft above sea level, it is 24 kms from Dalhousie. Nestled at the foothills of the majestic Dhauladhar ranges of the Western Himalayas, Khajjiar has rich dense forests of Deodar, pines and a lush green meadow. For tourists this is the ideal stopover where they can enjoy a welcome break from their daily life amidst breathtaking natural beauty.
The famous Khajji Naga shrine is located here at Khajjiar. It is believed Khajjiar derived its name from this shrine. Intricate images and patterns are designed on the wooden posts and ceilings of the temple which dates back to the 10th century. The architecture of the temple strongly corresponds to the indo-islamic style. A reflection of both is evident here. It is said that the image carvings represent the Kauravas, who were tied up here by the Pandavas. Apart from this, there are other adjoining shrines of Shiva and Hadimba goddess, popular mythological deities of the region. The age old tradition of sacrificing animals is still practiced outside the temple which is one of the major tourist attractions of Khajjiar.
Khajjiar is accessible by roads and is well connected with other towns of the Chamba valley. It is an ideal picnic spot and can be reached by bus from Dalhousie and Chamba within one and half hours. You can also plan a day's outing from these places to Khajjiar.
