Champawat

Cradled in the verdant southeastern hills of Kumaon at an altitude of 1,610 metres, Champawat is an extraordinary historical treasure trove. For over five centuries—from the 10th to the 16th century—this picturesque town reigned supreme as the illustrious capital of the Chand dynasty, before they shifted their royal court to Almora.

Champawat holds immense spiritual significance as the legendary land of Kurmanchal. According to Hindu mythology, it was on the summit of Kranteshwar (Kurmapratisht) hill overlooking Champawat that Lord Vishnu assumed his second incarnation as Kurma (the cosmic tortoise) to support Mount Mandara during the churning of the celestial ocean (Samudra Manthan).

The crown architectural jewel of Champawat is the breathtaking Baleshwar Temple complex. Dedicated to Lord Shiva and built between the 10th and 12th centuries by early Chand monarchs, this ASI-protected monument displays some of the most intricate and sophisticated stone filigree carvings in all of Northern India, with lifelike celestial damsels, deities, and geometric friezes carved into dark volcanic stone.

Perched dramatically on a rugged mountain ridge 7 km from town stands Banasur Ka Kila (Lohaghat road). Folklore connects this medieval stone citadel to the demon king Banasur, whose thousand arms were severed by Lord Krishna in epic combat. The fort commands breathtaking 360-degree vistas across Kumaon’s rolling valleys into western Nepal.

Nearby architectural wonders include Ek Hathiya Ka Naula, a fascinating stone-carved water stepwell constructed in 1236 AD by a master artisan using only his single left hand after his right hand was severed by a jealous king. The reservoir continues to dispense sweet crystal-clear mountain water to this day.

Just 9 km away lies the peaceful sanctuary of Mayawati Ashram (Advaita Ashram), surrounded by dense pine forests where Swami Vivekananda spent several weeks in profound meditation in 1901. Champawat offers an enchanting blend of history, myth, and tranquil pine wilderness.