Located on the brink of the
Khajjiar Lake, Khajji Naga Shrine is one of the principal attractions of
Khajjiar, a spectacular spot located 20 km from
Dalhousie and 22 km from
Chamba. The main deity of the temple is Khajji Naga, a serpent god, from whom the place got its name Khajjiar. The dome-shaped stone idol of Nagdev, which is made of slates locally extracted from limestone quarries, is installed in human form.
Built in pahari style, the temple dates back to the 10th century. The architecture is a remarkable blend of Hindu and
Mughal styles, and the interior is graced with wooden carvings. A spacious congregation hall is attached to the temple.
The temple boasts beautiful images in different patterns on the ceilings and wooden posts. These images are believed to be of the Kauravas, who were tied up in the hideout by the Pandavas. The shrines of Lord Shiva and Hadimba goddess can also be found here.
There is an old tradition of sacrificing goat outside the temple, which still exists.
