Champawat is a peaceful Himalayan town in Kumaon, known for ancient temples, colonial‑era retreats, dense forests and quiet villages, making it ideal for history lovers, pilgrims and offbeat nature travellers.
Tourism in Champawat
Tourism in Champawat revolves around heritage temples, spiritual retreats, forested hills and nearby hill stations like Lohaghat and Abbott Mount. Visitors come for trekking, village walks, wildlife, and calm homestays rather than crowded commercial resorts.
Location
Champawat town is the headquarters of Champawat district in eastern Uttarakhand, in the Kumaon region. It sits at about 1,615 metres (5,299 feet) above sea level, overlooking the Lohawati valley and surrounded by thick forests and terraced fields.
History
Champawat was once the capital of the Chand dynasty, which ruled Kumaon for centuries and left behind exquisite temples, forts and stone carvings. Local lore also associates the region with Lord Vishnu’s Kurma avatar, adding strong mythological significance.
Fairs and festivals
The area observes major Kumaoni festivals such as Nanda Devi fairs, Harela, Holi and Diwali with folk music, dance and temple rituals. Nearby Devidhura Temple is famous for its unique Bagwal fair, drawing devotees and tourists for its traditional rituals.
How to reach
Champawat is best reached by road via Tanakpur or Haldwani, with regular buses and shared taxis from major Kumaon towns. The nearest railhead is Tanakpur (about 75–80 km), while the closest major airport is Pantnagar; from both, travellers continue by road into the hills.
Tourist attractions
- Baleshwar Temple: Intricately carved 12th–13th‑century Shiva temple showcasing classic Chand stone architecture.
- Nagnath & Kranteshwar Mahadev Temples: Important old Shiva shrines with panoramic views.
- Champawat Fort & Ek Hathiya Ka Naula: Historic fort remains and a beautifully carved stone step‑well said to be made by a one‑armed artisan.
- Lohaghat & Abbott Mount: Nearby hill station and colonial‑era estate known for pine forests, heritage bungalows and valley views.
- Purnagiri Temple, Mayawati (Advaita) Ashram, Meetha Reetha Sahib, Devidhura Temple, Nandhaur Wildlife Sanctuary and Shyamlatal Lake offer spiritual retreats, wildlife and scenic excursions across the district.
Cuisine of Champawat
Champawat’s cuisine reflects traditional Kumaoni flavours: mandua ki roti (finger‑millet bread), bhatt ki churkani (black soybean curry), aloo ke gutke, jholi (yogurt‑based curry) and seasonal leafy saag are common. The district is also known for local sweets like bal mithai and singodi, often enjoyed in small town markets and homestays.
