Champawat is rich in history and mythology, once the capital of the Chand dynasty. It’s known for its ancient temples, quiet surroundings, and untouched natural beauty.
- Historical importance
- Peaceful environment
- Spiritual tourism
- Champawat town
- Baleshwar Temple
- Lohaghat
- Abbott Mount
- Temple visits
- Nature walks
- Heritage exploration
Champawat was the early capital of the Chand dynasty that ruled Kumaon for centuries, and its finely carved stone temples still carry the mark of that history. By local tradition, the region’s old name, Kurmanchal – from which “Kumaon” is said to come – is linked to this area.
Many visitors also know Champawat from Jim Corbett’s account of the Champawat tigress, the man-eater he hunted in the early 1900s. Today the district is peaceful and uncrowded, with deodar forests, orchards and quiet temple towns – a good choice for travellers who want to avoid the busier hill stations.
- Baleshwar Temple – an intricately carved stone temple complex from the Chand era, in the heart of town.
- Lohaghat – a small town about 14 km away, surrounded by deodar forests and orchards.
- Abbott Mount – a colonial-era hilltop settlement near Lohaghat, with cottages and Himalayan views.
- Mayawati Advaita Ashram – a peaceful ashram of the Ramakrishna Order near Lohaghat, associated with Swami Vivekananda.
- Devidhura (Barahi Devi Temple) – known for the Bagwal festival held on Raksha Bandhan.
- Purnagiri Temple – a hilltop shrine near Tanakpur and a major pilgrimage, especially during Chaitra Navratri.
- By road: about 170 km via Tanakpur, roughly 5 to 6 hours.
- By train: Tanakpur is the nearest railway station, about 75 km away.
- By air: Pantnagar Airport is the nearest airport, around 160 km away.
March to June and September to November offer the most pleasant weather. Winters are cold but often clear. During the monsoon, the Tanakpur–Champawat road is prone to landslides, so check conditions before travelling.
Champawat and Lohaghat have simple hotels and KMVN guesthouses, while Abbott Mount has heritage cottages. Local eateries serve Kumaoni staples; see our Kumaoni food guide and browse local listings.
- Plan a relaxed 2–3 day loop covering Champawat, Lohaghat, Abbott Mount and Mayawati.
- Expect crowds and road restrictions around Devidhura during the Bagwal festival.
- Roads are winding – carry motion-sickness medicine if you need it.
- Carry cash for smaller towns and temples.