Places to visit in Khajjiar

There is a famous temple in Khajjiar built in the 12th century devoted to Khajji naag. And it is not difficult to understand that the place is named after this Khajji naag. There are life-sized images of Pandavas inside the temple. The sanctum is covered with beautiful wood. As the temple is devoted to Naag devta (serpent god) the idols of some snakes are there in the temple. The place is very sacred to the local people as well as the tourists.

This temple is situated at the center of the golf course and is crafted with a golden dome at its top. It significantly contributes to the scenic appeal of the place.

The magical Khajjiar Lake is situated in Khajjiar, in the district of Chamba, Himachal Pradesh. The lake is located at a height of 1920 metres above sea level and witnesses a lot of tourists. Khajjiar Lake is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in Himachal Pradesh and never fails to captivate anyone with its beautiful views. The lush greenery and an alluring sky add to the picturesque views of the lake. 

Khajjiar is also known as the 'Mini Switzerland of India' as it shares a topographical resemblance with Switzerland.  

Highlights of Khajjiar Lake

• One can visit the Khajji Nag Temple located near the Khajjiar Lake for a touch of some spirituality. The temple was made in the 12th century and specifically dedicated to Khajji Nag or the Lord of Serpents. It is the most venerated temple in Himachal Pradesh and since it is associated with the Khajjiar Lake, the lake is also revered greatly. The temple is made simple and is a blend of both, Hindu and Muslim architecture. It is made out of wood and has statues of Lord Shiva and Goddess Hidimba. Interestingly, the interiors of the temple have images of the Pandavas defeating the Kauravas in the battle of Mahabharata.
• There are various options for adventure seekers to enjoy themselves like paragliding, Zorbing and horse riding however, out of them all, paragliding is very famous and is a major attraction for tourists. One can see lush green meadows and surrounding hills while paragliding and experience this beautiful place with an aerial view. A paragliding session can cost up to  4,000 rupees and every penny is worth it. 

How to reach Khajjiar Lake

By air: Gaggal is the nearest airport to Khajjiar and is located at a distance of 134 kms. One can easily avail public transport or a cab to Khajjiar from here. It is also known as the Kangra airport and connects various cities of India. If one is travelling from abroad, then you land in Delhi, Amritsar or Chandigarh airport. These airports have great connectivity within and outside the country. 

By rail: If one is planning to travel by rail, then Pathankot railway station is the nearest railway station from Khajjiar. It is located at a distance of 142 kms and is connected to a number of major cities in the country. One can opt for a bus or a private cab from the station to Khajjiar. 

By road: Himachal road transportation services offer affordable bus services to neighbouring cities that are well connected to Khajjiar. There are numerous luxurious or standard buses available from Chamba, Dalhousie, Simla etc. 

Best time to visit in Khajjiar Lake

The best time to visit Khajjiar is during the summer season, between the months of May and October. The weather at that time is very pleasant and comfortable, ranging from 12-24 degrees. Summers here have pleasant nights while it gets very cold during the winter season. Having said that, winter is the best time for snow lovers as snowfall occurs here each year. 

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On a clear and sunny day you will be able to see Mountain Kailash, the adobe of Lord Shiva, from Khajjiar. You can also take a horse ride which is available at a cheaper rate and wander around enjoying the beauty of the scenic place.

This is another attraction in Khajjiar. The root of the tree is one but the base is separated into six portions making it a rare wonder of nature. It is the belief of the local people that the six parts represent the Pandavas, the five brothers and their shared wife Draupadi. Religious people pay their respect to it considering it to be a holy tree.

As Khajjiar is at the foothills of mount Dauladhar the travellers can enjoy a splendid perspective of the scenic mountain from Khajjiar. Also the Dhauladhars consist of glaciers that are very prominent among them, the most famous being the Lam Dal which is the biggest and features a circumference of around 2.5 km. This is a very sacred lake and is considered to be the holy abode of Lord Shiva. Every year the pilgrims visit this to take a holy dip during the month of August and September as the Manimahesh yatra begins.

This is a large golf course with nine golf holes situated at the town. The ground is adorned with far stretched lush green turf which creates a very soothing effect to your eyes. You can take a stroll and even play if you wish to.

Kalatop Sanctuary in Khajjiar is one of the most beautiful wildlife sanctuaries, with some stunning landscapes on offer for you to explore. Located just 6kms from Dalhousie, the sanctuary is nestled amidst snow-capped Himalayan mountains and lush green meadows. The sanctuary houses some of the most diverse flora and fauna, with deodar and fir trees covering a major portion of it. 

Kalatop Sanctuary lies along the banks of the river Ravi, making it even more beautiful. Pheasants, serow, black bears, leopards and deer are just some of the many species of wildlife found here. You can indulge in multiple activities like trekking to the sunset point, enjoying some local snacks or taking jungle safari and much more. 

Interesting facts about the Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary:

• The guesthouse in Kalatop Sanctuary is featured in the Bollywood movie “Lootera”.
• It is one of the best places in India for nightscaping. 
• There are no enclosures or cages in this sanctuary so that the animals can roam around freely in their own backyard. 

About Kalatop Sanctuary:

Kalatop Sanctuary is known for its pristine beauty that is unmatchable in many ways as it has high coniferous forest and flushing meadows, along with a river flowing through it. Add to that the rich variety of flora and fauna and this is one place that you should definitely visit. 

There is an adventure park for children to enjoy, making it ideal for families as well. The mointainous terrain and nature trails draw many trekkers to this wonderful area. When you visit this sanctuary, you can even explore the beauty of Dalhousie alongwith the majestic nature of the forest. 

How to get to Kalatop Sanctuary:

The nearest airport to the Sanctuary is Pathankot, at a distance of 80kms, but it is only connected to the New Delhi airport. Gaggal Airport is the other major airport that is 130kms from Dalhousie. 

By train : the nearest railway station is Pathankot station from where you can hire a cab or a taxi to reach the sanctuary. 

By road : HPRTC and HRTC offer bus services to Dalhousie on a daily basis from Delhi and other major bus stations in the north. 

Best time to visit Kalatop Sanctuary:

The best time to visit Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary is during the summer months when the temperature is just perfect for you to explore the forest. It also is the time with most amount of sunlight. The winter months too are great if you love snowfall but you may not be able to indulge in all the activities offered here. Same with the monsoon season as landslides and floods are frequent. 

Timings and entry fees

The Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary is open to tourists from 9AM to 6PM every day of the week unless it is closed due to inclement weather. 

The entry to the sanctuary is free but to enter the forest reserve, you need to get a permit from the forest department that costs Rs. 250 per person. 

If you are looking to explore nature at its purest with a peaceful interaction between flora, fauna and you then Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary is the place for you. To get the best deals to visit this serene forest area, get in touch with Thomas Cook. 

As you would go from Dalhousie to Khajjiar you would find Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary on the way adding to the delight of the beautiful journey. The quietness prevailing in the environment is something very enjoyable for a nature lover. The road also runs through splendid Deodar forests.