Champawat Tour Package
3 Days · 2 Nights · Baleshwar Temple · Chand Dynasty · Kumaon History
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🛕 Baleshwar Temple
• Chand Dynasty
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3 Days · 2 Nights · Baleshwar Temple · Chand Dynasty · Kumaon History
Champawat is a historic town in the Champawat district of Uttarakhand at 1615 metres. It was the ancient capital of the Chand rulers of Kumaon from the 11th to the 15th century before they shifted their seat to Almora. The town has a number of historically significant temples built during the Chand dynasty period. The Baleshwar Temple group is the most important, with beautifully carved stone temples dedicated to Shiva, Brahma, and other deities, built in the Katyuri-Chand style of architecture.
The Chamoliyan Devi Temple at the centre of town is an important local deity shrine. Devidhura, 45 km from Champawat, is famous for the Bagwal festival held every year on Raksha Bandhan. During this festival, two groups throw stones at each other as an ancient ritual offering to the goddess Barahi Devi — it is one of the most unusual festivals in India. Purnagiri Temple, 20 km from Tanakpur (85 km from Champawat), is a Shakti Pith temple that draws large numbers of pilgrims every year.
Jim Corbett, the famous hunter-turned-conservationist, was associated with Champawat because of the man-eating tigers he tracked in this area in the early 1900s. Corbett's accounts of the Champawat tigress are documented in his book "Man-Eaters of Kumaon." A small museum and memorial in the town commemorates this. Champawat is a good destination for those interested in Kumaon history, temple architecture, and the cultural heritage of the region.
11th-century Chand dynasty stone temples with fine carvings. Among the best-preserved medieval temples in Kumaon.
Unique annual stone-throwing festival on Raksha Bandhan at Barahi Devi Temple, 45 km from Champawat.
Champawat was home to the famous man-eating tigress tracked by Jim Corbett. Small museum in town.
Important Shakti Pith shrine 20 km from Tanakpur. Large pilgrimage site especially in Navratri season.
GOOD SEASON
Pleasant weather most of the year except monsoon. Bagwal festival on Raksha Bandhan (Aug) is worth a special visit.
MONSOON
Heavy rain. Roads generally open but wet. Bagwal festival happens in August — interesting if you want to witness it.
WINTER
Cool weather. Fewer tourists. Temple complex is pleasant in winter. Snow not common at this altitude.
All our packages start from Haridwar . Here's how to reach:
Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (35 km from Haridwar). Flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru. Airport pickup arranged on request.
Haridwar Railway Station connects to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata. Kathgodam (for Kumaon) is linked via this route.
UPSRTC Volvo buses from Delhi ISBT Kashmere Gate to Haridwar (6 hrs). State buses to Uttarakhand towns available.
Delhi to Haridwar 210 km (4-5 hrs via NH-58). We provide AC/Non-AC vehicles with experienced mountain drivers.
Champawat is one of Kumaon's most historically rich but least visited towns. The Baleshwar Temple complex in the main bazaar is genuinely stunning — the stone carvings are comparable to much more famous temples in India. Very few tourists come here, so you can explore at complete leisure. Purnagiri Temple (21 km) is one of the major Shakti Peethas of North India and sees large crowds during Navratri (March–April and October). Lohaghat (14 km) has a colonial-era church (Abbott Mount) on a forested hillock — a pleasant hour's detour.