March 29, 2024

13 Best Places to Visit in Champawat

Champawat Uttarakhand

Top Tourist Attractions in Champawat

Champawat is a town in Uttarakhand’s Champawat district, as well as a Nagar Palika Parishad. It serves as the administrative centre for the Champawat district. The town was once the Kumaon Kingdom’s capital. Champawat is located 76 kilometres from Pithoragarh headquarters and is 1615 metres above sea level. Champawat is noted for its natural beauty and well-known temples. It was formerly the capital of the Chand dynasty. The Tehsil office’s headquarters are currently housed in the old fort. Champawat is a historical site with several well-known temples of outstanding aesthetic merit. Champawat’s most famous attraction is the Baleshwar temple.

The Nagnath temple in Champawat is another outstanding example of Kumaon’s old architecture. The ‘Ek Hathiya Ka Naula’, located 4–5 kilometres from Champawat, is claimed to have been built in one night by a single-handed craftsman. Gorilla Chaur of Champawat is also linked to Golla Devta’s tale. Lord Vishnu is supposed to have emerged as the ‘Kurma avatar’ in Champawat (incarnation as tortoise). Mt. Kandev is another name for this hill. Champawat is home to a tiny fort. In the first decade of the twentieth century, Jim Corbett came to this region in search of man-eating tigers. Champawat is mentioned in the opening narrative of his first book (Man Eaters of Kumaon).

Best Places to Visit in Champawat

  1. Devidhura
  2. Ek Hathiya Naula
  3. Nagnath Temple
  4. Baleshwar Temple
  5. Kranteshwar Mahadev
  6. Meetha Reetha Saheb
  7. Lohaghat
  8. Purnagiri Temple
  9. Mayawati Ashram
  10. Abbot Mount
  11. Vanasur-Ka-Kila
  12. Pancheshwar
  13. Shymalatal

Devidhura

Devidhura is well-known for its Varahi Temple. It is a Bagwal cultural heritage that is commonly practised during Raksha Bandhan. The Devidhura Temples are mentioned in Jim Corbett’s book ‘Temple Tiger.’

 

Nagnath Temple

Nagnath Temple is a well-known place of worship for Lord Shiva, and it is regarded as one of the finest examples of Kumaon architecture.

 

Ek Hathiya Naula

Ek Hathiya Naula is a showcase master craft made by a single artisan. It is only 5 kilometres from Champawat.

 

Baleshwar Temple

Lord Shiva is worshipped in the Baleshwar Temple. It Is a well-known work by Chand Rulers. It could have been constructed between the 10th and 12th centuries A.D.

Kranteshwar Mahadev 

Kranteshwar Mahadev Is One Of The Most Holy Places In Champawat, It Is Also Known As Kurmapad Or Kandev.

 

Meetha Reetha Saheb

Meetha Reetha Saheb, located around 72 kilometres from Champawat, is an important place of worship for the Sikh community. It is also said that Guru Nanak visited here previously and engaged in a discussion with Gorakhpanthi Jogis Guru and his followers arrived at the confluence of the Lodhiya and Ratiya rivers, near Deyuri Village.

 

Lohaghat

Lohaghat Town is 14 kilometres from Champawat. The area is graced with the beautiful Lohawati River and skyscraper mountains.

 

Purnagiri Temple

Purnagiri Temple is located 92 kilometres from Champawat and is known for its beautiful sunrises that emerge from the Poornagiri Hills. Purnagiri Temple’s Festival Season Generally Begins During The March-April Navratri Season. The Temple Area Is Surrounded By The River Kali, Its Islands, Tanakpur Township, And Several Migrant Villages.

 

Mayawati Ashram

Mayawati Ashram is located 9 kilometres from Champawat. The Ashram has a peaceful atmosphere that draws many spiritualists from all over the world. Swami Vivekanand Decided To Move His Publication Office “‘Prabuddh Bharat'” From Madras To Mayavati Ashram During His Visit To Mayawati In 1901.

Abbot Mount

Abbot Mount Is One Of The Best Himalayan Peaks That Provides A Charming Experience.

Vanasur-Ka-Kila

Vanasur-Ka-Kila Is About 17 Kilometers Away From Champawat, A Medieval Town. The Great Emperor Banasur (Vanasur) Was Assassinated Here.

 

Pancheshwar

Pancheshwar is located 40 kilometres from Champawat. It is the confluence of two rivers, the Kali and the Saryu. The site is located near the Nepal border and is well known for its Shiva Temple. Chaumu is worshipped as an animal shield here.

Shymalatal

Shymalatal Is Known For The Swami Vivekanand Ashram, Which Is Located On The Shores Of The Beautiful Shyamlatal Lake. Champawat is around 56 kilometres away.

Tourist Places in Champawat

Mayawati Ashram

This ashram is located at an elevation of 1940 metres, 22 kilometres from Champawat and 9 kilometres from Lohaghat. Mayawati rose to popularity following the establishment of the Advait Ashram here. Spiritualists from India and around the world visit the ashram. Mayawati’s Advait Ashram is nestled amongst an old tea estate. During his third journey to Almora in 1898, Swami Vivekanand chose to relocate the publication office of ‘Prabhu Bharat’ from Madras to Mayawati, where it has been published ever since. The magnificent Himalaya in all its magnificence is the sole presence that has become a part of Mayawati’s tranquilly and solitude. Visitors can stay at the Ashram for free if they make a reservation. Mayawati also has a library and a small museum.

Abott Mount

In the pre-independence era, Britisher John Abbott (whose descendants now live in Jhansi) identified this location and decided to name the hill after himself. He built 13 cottages here, some of which are still standing. Panorama takes on new meaning as you enjoy vistas of peaks such as Trishul, Nanda Kot, Nanda Ghunti, and Nanda Devi extending in an arc across a valley in front of you. This is the kind of spot where you can just roam around in the woods with no traffic or sounds, sip tea while watching the clouds pass by, and enjoy gorgeous sunsets. There is a church erected in 1942 that is now locked and where prayers are said to be held once or twice a year. You may even play cricket on what is considered to be the second highest pitch in the world, after Chail in Himachal Pradesh, at just under 7,000 feet.

Pancheshwar

40 kms. from Lohaghat at the confluence of river Kali and Saryu, Pancheshwar forms the borders with Nepal and is famous for the temple of Chaumu, its fair and a dip at the confluence is considered to be very sacred. Chaumu’s Jaat (jamaan) descends from the villages of Sail, 5 kilometres above the temple. Chaumu is worshipped as a protector of animals. Bells and milk are offered in the temple of Pancheshwar. Chaumu Jaat of Pancheshwar has its unique way of cultural expression. The temple at Pancheshwar is devoted to Lord Shiva.

Aditya temple

The ‘ADITYA TEMPLE,’ a majestic temple dedicated to the Gods Sun and Shiva, is located in Ramak village, Champawat district, Uttarakhand. It is one of the most famous and rare temples of God Sun, which was built in the 16th century by the monarchs of the Chand dynasty. Legend has it that during their exile, the Pandavas came here and worshipped the god ‘Shiva’ and sanctified the devout ‘Shivalinga’.

Gurdwara Reetha Sahib

Gurdwara Reetha Sahib is only 60 kms. by flying distance north of Nanak Mata, but the distance by motorable road is 209 kms. It is 166 kms. from Tanakpur, the last railway station on Bareilly-Tanakpur section. Here, too, Guru Nanak Dev had a meeting with Nath yogis whom he tried to attract to the path of active humanitarian service together with remembrance of God’s Name. The storey is not included in the Janamsakhis, but a strong local belief holds that Guru Nanak Dev miraculously transformed the ordinarily bitter fruit of a soapnut tree into pleasant fruit for Bhai Mardana to eat.

Baleshwar Temple

Baleshwar, located 76 kilometres from Pithoragarh in Champawat, is the district’s most artistic temple. There is evidence that the early kings of the Chand dynasty built the collection of temples devoted to Baleshwar, Ratneshwar, and Champawati Durga. The temple used to include sophisticated structural features as well as a sanctuary with a mandap. The beautiful carving that can still be seen on the ceilings of these temples attests to their historic splendour and creative excellence.

Gwal Devta

Gwal Devta, also known as Gorilis, is a deity of great faith and influence who is regarded as the ruling deity of justice. When addressed, it is thought that Gwal Devta brings justice to a hapless victim of injustice and cruelty. Goril, a Katyuric prince of Champawat known for his steadfast fairness and fair play, was a victim of a plot devised by his step mother, who had dumped him into a river, locked up in an iron cage. Held in high regard as a symbol of justice, a temple was constructed to him at Gwarail Chaur in Champawat, and he has since evolved into a deity of enormous power, attracting throngs of pilgrims. According to legend, Harish Chandra was a legendary Champawat monarch who, after his death, was worshipped as the folk god ‘Haru.’ Haru’s mother’s name was Kainer, and he was Gwall’s maternal uncle, according to legend.

Purnagiri

Purnagiri, at 3000 metres above sea level, is 20 kilometres from Tanakpur, 171 kilometres from Pithoragarh, and 92 kilometres from Champawat. Purnagiri temple is frequented by devotees from all across the country throughout the year, but especially during Chaitra Navratri in the months of March and April. The holy chantings of devotees trekking to the peak for darshan create a spiritual ambiance in the surrounding valleys. The river Kali, which flows from Purnagiri, also known as Punyagiri, into the plains and is known as Sharda. To visit this shrine, take a car up to Thuligaarh. One must trek from this location (the road is under construction upto Tunyas ). Awalakhan follows the ascension of Bans ki Charhai (new name is Hanuman Chatti). From here, one can see the southern – western section of ‘Punya Parvat.’

Another rise concludes at Tanki’s TRC. From here, the area of temporary shops and residential huts extends all the way to Tunyas. The pilgrim may overlook the expanse of Kali, its islands, Tanakpur township, and a few Nepali villages from the highest point (the temple) on Purnagiri hill. Purnagiri is extremely close to the historic Buram Deo Mandi. It is feasible to hike along the Kali river from Tanakpur or Purnagiri to Tamli and even Jhulaghat.

Lohaghat

Lohaghat, at an elevation of 1706 metres, is 62 kilometres from Pithoragarh on the road to Tanakpur and 14 kilometres from Champawat district headquarters. Lohaghat, located on the banks of the Lohawati River, is a historical and mythological centre. Pilgrim (Barron) was so taken with its beauty in 1841 that he was perplexed as to why the Government of India was not developing it as its summer capital. During the summer, Lohaghat is awash in Burans flowers.

Best Time to Visit in Champawat

Champawat is a year-round destination. However, the best time to visit is between March and June. When the temperature is neither too high or too low, and rain does not prevent you from enjoying any activity that town has to offer.

How to Reach Champawat

By Air:

Pantnagar Airport is located in Pantnagar, India. Champawat is 170 kilometres away from Udham Singh Nagar. Tourists can fly to Pantnagar and then take a bus, cab, or vehicle to Champawat.

By Train:

Champawat’s railway station, Tanakpur, is 75 kilometres from the town. Tourists can start their journey from Tanakpur railway station through roads.

By Road:

Champawat has well-connected highways with adjacent districts, connecting it to the rest of Uttarakhand, India, and even neighbouring Nepal via Tanakpur.

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