Khajjiar

Khajjiar is a mountain settlement in Chamba district, India, sitting on a plateau between forested slopes. The central meadow forms a saucer-shaped clearing with a shallow pond, surrounded by pine and cedar trees that grow right up to the edge of the open ground.

The area served as a summer retreat for British officials and officers during colonial rule. Several rest houses were built then to accommodate guests escaping the heat of the plains.

The settlement takes its name from the Khajji Nag temple, where locals bring flowers and bells for worship. On festival days, villagers gather near the temple entrance to share prayers and perform rituals together.

Mountain roads connect the settlement to Dalhousie and Chamba, with winding turns through dense forest. The nearest airport is in Pathankot, from where travelers continue by car into the hills.

Two floating islands drift in the shallow water, appearing and disappearing depending on the season and grass growth. Visitors often notice these small patches only when looking closely at the pond, especially when the vegetation stands low.