Introduction

Among the charms of Dalhousie are the throngs of Tibetans, still in traditional garb, and the lovely picnic spots, pre-eminet among which is the plain of Khajjiar, at an altitude of 1,951 metres (6,400 ft) about a day's march of 22 km motorable from the G.P.O. Square. Shaped like a saucer, this huge bowl of 7 amerald-turfed 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. Under the canopy of the blue sky, set in the rolling green turf is a small but picturesque lake, with the added attraction of a floating island. Adding to the Charms of Khajjiar, which also hugs a golden-domed Devi Temple, is a golf course set in idyllic surroundings. The golden spire of the Devi's abode beckon's one to the fringe of the lake. One gets out of the car to go to the lake but the ground seems to give way. The earth is 'spongy' due to dense growth of earth. The remarkable island which floats across the lake is Dak Bungalow, H.P.P.W.D. Rest House, Youth Hostel and a Summer House. From here a 30 km long foot-path, passing through thick deodar forests, leads to Chamba.