Top 10 Places to visit in Champawat

Famous Places to Visit in Champawat

Before revealing the Top 10 Places to visit in Champawat let us know about this amazing place. Champawat is a significant holy site; legend has it that Vishnu, the Hindu God, arrived here in the form of a tortoise (Kurma Avatar). Our Travel Guide to Know Best Places to Visit in Champawat, Top Tourist Places in Champawat, Top Attractions in Champawat, Sightseeing in Champawat. In addition, the Mahabharata’s Pandavas spent some of their 12-year exile in the town. Many temples were built by the Chand rulers who made Champawat their capital, and many of them can still be seen in the town.
 
Baleshwar Temple, Nagnath Temple, and Kanteshwar Temple are three of Champawat’s most popular tourist attractions. Apart from the temples, Champawat is renowned for its natural beauty. It is estimated that 65 per cent of the district is covered with lush vegetation. Teak, Sagoon, Jamun, and Babul are some of the trees that can be found in the district’s forest areas.
 
The area surrounding the major town is also home to diverse wildlife. Champawat is great for a relaxing vacation surrounded by nature and the serenity of temples. Expect to be charmed by the place’s simplicity and untouched landscapes. Champawat is a district in Uttarakhand, which is another jewel in the crown.

Most Famous Tourist Place in Champawat

The area of Champawat is a great destination to spend a holiday. It is a sacred seat and a nature lover’s delight. The Purnagiri Temple, which is regarded to be an ideal pilgrimage site for Hindu worshippers, is one of the most popular destinations to visit in the district. During the summer, the picturesque towns of Lohaghat and Abbot Mount make for a nice getaway. Let’s Explore the Top 10 places to visit in Champawat.
 
  1. Banasur Ka Kila
  2. Baleshwar Temple
  3. Lohaghat
  4. Kranteshwar Mahadev Temple
  5. Nagnath 
  6. Shyamla Tal, Vivekanand Ashram
  7. Ek hathiya ka Naula
  8. Gwal Devta
  9. Abbott Mount
  10. Meetha Reetha Sahib Gurudwara

 

1. Banasur Ka Kila

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Banasur ka Kila is around 20 kilometres from Champawat and 7 km from Lohaghat, it is the only structure in the area reported to have been built during the mediaeval period. What’s intriguing about this place, and what’s similar to the Gwal Devta Temple, is that it’s more about the history than the physical presence. Vanasur ka Kila is a must-see for mythology buffs. It is thought to be the capital of the demon Vanasur, who was defeated by Lord Krishna.

Banasur ka Kila was built in remembrance of Banasur, the mythologically famed King Bali’s eldest son, who was murdered here by Lord Krishna when Banasur attempted to murder Krishna’s grandson Aniruddha. To go to the fort, you must first travel to Lohaghat, which is about 5 km from Champawat, and then from Champawat to Karnakarayat, which is about 6 km from Lohaghat. From there, it’s a kilometre walk to Banasur ka Kila, which is best enjoyed with the generous help of local tales.

The qila, or fort, is an ironically constructed artefact, based on the name of a boon-bestowed Banasur, the man with a thousand weapons; nonetheless, the fort exudes a sense of decay and dilapidation. The Lohawati River, which runs alongside the Bhowali Road, is also a product of this location. In reality, this fort is an excellent place for viewing the Lohaghati River’s sources and admiring nature’s as well as man’s works.

2. Baleshwar Temple

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Baleshwar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of Champawat’s oldest temples. It was established about the 10th century AD by the emperors of the Chand Dynasty.

One of the two temples on campus is devoted to Lord Ratneshwar, and the other to Goddess Durga. The temple complex is largely made of stone and is a remarkable example of construction.

3. Lohaghat

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Lohaghat is a lovely hill station in Uttarakhand, located in the Champawat district. This old settlement, located 5 kilometres from Abbott Mount, is a popular tourist destination due to its historical and mythological significance. Lord Shiva is honoured in this tranquil little village. The tranquil temperature, pine and oak trees, and lush foliage entice visitors to this magnificent setting.

Lohaghat, located on the banks of the Lohawati River at an elevation of 1800 metres, is one of the lesser-known Himalayan getaways. This place is blessed with abundant natural beauty, making it an ideal refuge from the city’s daily hardships. It has maintained its allure and majesty for almost a century. The Rhododendrons that cover the town transform the scenery into a rainbow of colours in the summer.

4. Kranteshwar Mahadev Temple

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Champawat is a great place to visit if you want to get away from the normal tourist traps. If you’re looking for a more rustic study of the territory where religion and spirituality meet and begin for the rest of the country, Kranteshwar Mahadev is the place to go.

The temple, which is about 6 kilometres from Champawat’s district centre, is a tiny complex of stone monuments called locally the Kandev or Kurmapad. It is located atop a hill at a height of 6000 metres, so be prepared for a short hike to get there. What’s more remarkable is the temple complex’s ever-blooming scarlet blooms, which create a one-of-a-kind visual experience.

Locals and visitors alike admire the natural beauty of the area and benefit from the clean air and healthy environment that mountain scenery provides. There was formerly a local caste called Kanyal, according to traditions and older residents. This caste is known as Kanda. Kanda’s hills are particularly appealing to foreign visitors, and it’s often compared to the Himalayas.

5. Nagnath

The Hindu mythology’s Lord Shiva is worshipped as the principal deity in the highland towns of North India. Shiva is said to be the conqueror of death, who saves all of his believers from all kinds of trouble and makes their lives calm and prosperous.

A double-story wooden carved edifice in the area that is also the oldest and best-preserved Lord Shiva shrine in Champawat. According to locals, the Nagnath Temple worships Lord Shiva in his eternal form as the wielder of serpentine animals, symbolising his remoteness from the world as well as his affection for outcast species.

The Indian cobra is known as Nag in English, and Shiva is believed to wear the snake around his neck and have an affection for it. Guru Gorakhnath, a revered sage of the highlands, erected the Nagnath Temple. Despite the damage caused by the Rohilla and Gorkha tribes, the temple has been repaired and now features an artistically carved wooden gateway in the Kumaoni style of architecture from the 18th century. Visit here to soak in the atmosphere of a bygone era and see some unique Kumaoni architecture.

6. Shyamla Tal, Vivekanand Ashram

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Shyamla Tal, located at a height of 1500 metres in the Garhwal Himalayan foothills, is a lovely lake town with plenty of greenery and freshness. The Swami Vivekanand Ashram, which is located alongside the lake, is one of the highlights of the area and is ideal for meditation and self-exploration.

Shyamla Tal, or Shyamla Lake, is so named because it is like a mirror, reflecting the sky’s blue colour all over itself. Aside from the lake, the Ramakrishna Mission manages a historic ashram dedicated to Sri Vivekanand. One cannot help but be overwhelmed by the majesty of the Himalayan peaks and huge vegetation while sitting by the lake.

7. Ek Hathiya ka Naula

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One of those structures that is famous not just for its originality, but also for the people who built it. Ek Hathiya ka Naula is a single-handedly carved architectural marvel located approximately 5 kilometres from Champawat. It was literally sculpted by an artist using only one hand over the course of a single night.

If you enjoy gathering information and learning more about architecture that is set in a specific style or era, and, more importantly, is unique and stands out in terms of the artisans who created the work, you should not miss Ek Hathiya ka Naula. For once, talk to the locals who will provide you with a better understanding of the history of the area.

8. Gwal Devta

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Gwal Devta, also known as Goll Devta or Goril Devta, is a powerful deity in the area who is credited with delivering justice and instilling faith in his people as their ruling prince.

He was, however, a victim of his wicked stepmother’s schemes and drowned in a nearby river while imprisoned in an iron cage. His devoted followers built the shrine in his honour, believing that he still reigns over the town and administers justice to the defenceless and destitute. The Golchaurh temple attracts a large number of pilgrims throughout the year and is revered by all believers.

9. Abbot Mount

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Mount Abbot According to legend, a British businessman named John Harold Abbott was so taken with the tranquilly of the location that he intended to establish it as a European colony. In 191, he constructed a group of 13 homes on five acres of forest. Later, the location was given his name.

During the summer, one can see Himalayan birds, colourful butterflies, and bright red burans (or rhododendron) blossoms, which are all a part of nature’s palette. This lovely hill station offers opportunities for nature walks, trekking, angling, and photography. Abbott Mount also provides a clear perspective of the Himalayan peaks on the Kumaon Hills’ eastern side, making for a stunning photo opportunity.

10. Meetha Reetha Sahib Gurudwara

Champawat, the Chand dynasty’s capital from the 10th to 16th centuries, is steeped in history and legacy. It is most known now for its temples, many of which date back to the Chand dynasty. Lord Vishnu arrived in the form of a tortoise named “Kurmavatar” in Indian mythology. The temple building is outstanding and a testament to the talent and intricacy of the artists of the time.

The Nagnath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is the most important of these. The well-known temple is one of Kumaon’s best examples of architecture. Baleshwar Shrine, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is another noteworthy temple. Another spiritual landmark here is Kranteshwar Mahadev, which is one of the most renowned in the region.

This Shiva temple, located on the summit of a hill east of Champawat, is also known as Kurmapad or Kandev. Aside from temples, the Ek Hathiya Ka Naula is a wonderful piece of architecture. Ek Hathiya Ka Naula, a magnificently carved work on stone, is located roughly 5 kilometres from Champawat and is supposed to have been built in one night by a one-handed artist.

Champawat was named after Princess Champawati, the daughter of King Arjun Deo, who dominated the region and had his capital here, according to locals. Champawat is also said to be mentioned in the Hindu epic Mahabharata, according to legend. The lively town is surrounded by lush tea gardens that produce some of the best teas in the region.

Champawat, the Chand dynasty’s capital from the 10th to 16th centuries, is steeped in history and legacy. It is most known now for its temples, many of which date back to the Chand dynasty. Lord Vishnu arrived in the form of a tortoise named “Kurmavatar” in Indian mythology. As a result, it has a rich history that draws visitors to this location. 

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