Champawat District

Champawat is the sixth district of the Kumaun Mandal, located around 414 km from Dehradun. Known for its panoramic view, Champawat offers a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Once the town was the capital of Kumaun Kingdom, which was named after princess Champawati, the daughter of King Arjun Deo. Before getting its independent district status in 1997, Champawat was part of Almora and Pithoragarh.

Headquartered in Champawat town, it is one of the least densely populated districts of Uttarakhand. Most of the people are Hindus, who majorly communicate in the local Kumaoni language. District is divided into 5 tehsil whose largest and main city is Tankapur. Champawat's serene beauty has earned it a rank in the top ten beautiful cities in India. The history of Champawat dates back to Mahabharat times, where various mythological facts can be found.

As per the mythologist, Vishnu took his second incarnation here, in the form of a tortoise to save the earth, known as Kurmavtar. Currently, this place is home to the famous Kranteshwar Mandir, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed that the rock on which the God Stood is known as Kurmashila, and the entire hill surrounding it as Kurmachala and forest as Kurmavana. It is supposed that these terms earn the name of the Kumaun. Champawat has a rich history, which has been ruled by many rulers such as the Nanda Kings, Katyuri, and Chand Dynasty. In 636 AD Chinese traveler, Hiuen Tsang also visited the area.

Being a religious site, it attracts visitors from far and wide with its various temples. Some of the notable temples include the Barahi temple, Sapteshwar temple, Tarkeshwar Temple and Hidimba-Ghatotkach temple. Alongside, there are many other religious places to explore in Champawat. The Ek Hathiya Naula, a master craft formed by a single artisan, and the Baleshwar Temple, built by the Chand rulers during the 10 to 12 Centuries, are some exemplary examples of workmanship. The skyscraper mountains of Lohaghat and the Lohawati river add to the scenic beauty of Champawat.

A multitude of devotees thronged throughout the year, seeking blessings at Purnagiri Temple, Gwal Devta, Devidhura Temple, Krantehswar Temple and Nagnath Temple. Alongside Hindu religious sites, Meetha Reetha Sahib is an important place of worship for the Sikh Communities. It is believed that the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, visited this site and had a discussion with Gorakhpanthis jogis guru. Mayawati Ashram and Shyamala Tal Ashram also attract various spiritualists from far and wide. Vanasur-ka-kila, located 17 km from Champawat is among such places which attracts many visitors; it is the place where the assassination of Vanasur took place.

The famous nearby attractions are Abott mount, Tea Gardens and Pancheswar, whose enthralling beauty is ready to lure visitors any day. Champawat cool weather is ideal for the visitors to explore its tourist destinations throughout the year. District offers good road connectivity with the major cities in the state. Tanakpur is the nearest railhead and Pantnagar offers the nearest Airport, which is situated around 170 km.