Champawat is a small, green hill town at about 1,615 m in the far east of Kumaon, close to the Nepal border. For centuries it was the capital of the Chand kings, who later moved their court to Almora. Today it is a calm district town with old stone temples, pine and deodar slopes, and very few tourists.
Most people use Champawat together with Lohaghat (about 14 km away), Abbott Mount and the Mayawati Advaita Ashram. Together they make an easy two- or three-day trip with history, forest walks and wide Himalayan views.
The story of Champawat
Champawat is full of legends. Kumaonis believe it is where Golu Devta, the god of justice, was born as the son of King Jhal Rai. Myth says Lord Vishnu took his Kurma (tortoise) avatar on the nearby Kandev hill, which is why the area is also called Kurmanchal, an old name for Kumaon.
And in 1907 it became famous worldwide when Jim Corbett shot the Champawat tigress, a man-eater blamed for hundreds of deaths in Nepal and Kumaon. He tells the story in the first chapter of his book Man-Eaters of Kumaon.
Why go to Champawat
Carved stone temples
Baleshwar and the Ek Hathiya Naula show the skill of Chand-era stone carvers.
Stories at every turn
Golu Devta's birthplace and the scene of Corbett's most famous hunt.
Quiet forest hills
Abbott Mount and Mayawati are calm, green and almost crowd-free.
Main things to see
Baleshwar temple
A group of Chand-era stone temples to Shiva, covered in fine carvings. Protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.
Ek Hathiya Naula
A carved stone water spring in the forest, said to have been made by a craftsman with only one hand.
Mayawati Advaita Ashram
A Ramakrishna Order ashram founded in 1899 with Swami Vivekananda's blessing, in a quiet forest near Lohaghat.
Abbott Mount
An old British hill estate with cottages, a lonely church and a long Himalayan view.
Distances from Champawat
Before you go
- Champawat is small; for more stay options look at Lohaghat or the KMVN huts at Abbott Mount.
- Carry cash for villages and temple stalls.
- Many places close by sunset; start your day early.
- In Raksha Bandhan week, the famous Bagwal stone fight takes place at Devidhura, about 50 km away.
Champawat FAQs
What is Champawat famous for?
It was the capital of the Chand kings and is known for the carved Baleshwar temple, the Ek Hathiya Naula, the Golu Devta legend and Jim Corbett's hunt of the Champawat tigress.
Which is the nearest railway station to Champawat?
Tanakpur, about 75 km away by road.
Is Champawat good for a family trip?
Yes. It is calm, safe and has easy sightseeing. Combine it with Lohaghat and Abbott Mount for 2-3 days.
How many days are enough for Champawat?
Two nights: one day for the Champawat temples and Ek Hathiya Naula, and one for Lohaghat, Mayawati and Abbott Mount.
