What is Champawat district known for?

Champawat district is known for the Baleshwar temple complex (magnificent 10th–12th century Katyuri stone carving), the colonial hill hamlet of Abbott Mount, the unique Bagwal stone-throwing fair at Devidhura in August, the Mayawati Ashram of the Ramakrishna Mission, and its legacy as the ancient capital of the Chand kings of Kumaon. It is one of Uttarakhand's most offbeat and historically rich districts.

What is the Bagwal fair at Devidhura?

The Bagwal fair is a unique ancient ritual held at Devidhura near Champawat on Raksha Bandhan (August). Two clans — the Waliks and the Chamyals — throw stones at each other in a ceremonial battle before the Barahi Devi temple until enough blood is shed to symbolically fill a human body as an offering to the goddess. The ritual, while seemingly violent, is conducted according to strict ancient codes and is a deeply significant cultural event in the Kumaon calendar.

What is Abbott Mount and why should I visit?

Abbott Mount is a small colonial settlement at 2,090 metres near Lohaghat, established by British businessman John Harold Abbott in 1910. It has over a dozen original colonial-era cottages, the Gothic St. Anne's Church, a golf course, and forest walks. The settlement is extraordinarily peaceful and well-preserved, offering a genuine Raj-era atmosphere against a Himalayan backdrop. It is one of the most unusual and charming places to visit in Uttarakhand.

What is the Mayawati Ashram?

Mayawati Ashram (Advaita Ashrama) is a monastery of the Ramakrishna Mission situated at 1,940 metres on a forested hilltop near Lohaghat, 9 km from Champawat. It was established in 1899 by Swami Vivekananda's disciples and publishes the celebrated spiritual journal Prabuddha Bharata. The ashram runs a museum on Swami Vivekananda, a library, and cottage accommodation for spiritual seekers in a setting of profound quietude.

How do I reach Abbott Mount from Delhi?

Abbott Mount is 420 km from Delhi. The most convenient route is Delhi–Tanakpur by road or train (Tanakpur Express, 8–9 hours), then Tanakpur–Lohaghat by road (130 km, 3 hours), and finally Lohaghat–Abbott Mount (11 km, 30 minutes). The turnoff to Abbott Mount is signposted from Lohaghat town. A taxi from Lohaghat to Abbott Mount costs approximately Rs 400–600.

Champawat Tourism Guide

Kumaon division · headquarters Champawat · 1,766 km² · 4 places to visit

Division: Kumaon
Headquarters: Champawat
Area: 1,766 km²
Places to visit: 4

Champawat is Uttarakhand's smallest district and its least crowded, yet it carries a historical weight disproportionate to its size. The ancient town of Champawat was the capital of the Chand dynasty — the rulers of Kumaon for over 700 years — before they shifted to Almora in the 16th century. The ruins of their fort and the beautiful Baleshwar temple complex, with some of the finest stone carving in Kumaon, stand as testament to this regal past. Champawat tourism is quiet and deeply authentic, drawing history enthusiasts, offbeat travellers, and pilgrims seeking lesser-known sanctuaries.

Abbott Mount, a colonial hill settlement at 2,090 metres near Lohaghat, is among India's most charming and overlooked heritage hamlets. Established by British businessman John Harold Abbott in 1910, the settlement retains more than a dozen original colonial cottages, a Gothic church (St. Anne's Church), and a golf course surrounded by oak and pine forests. The silence, the colonial architecture, and the Himalayan backdrop make it a uniquely evocative destination — part Raj-era nostalgia, part Himalayan serenity.

Devidhura, 45 km from Champawat town, hosts the famous Bagwal fair every August — a unique ritual battle in which two clans throw stones at each other until enough blood has been shed to fill the vessel equivalent of a human body, an offering to the goddess Barahi Devi. The Mayawati Ashram near Lohaghat, established by disciples of Swami Vivekananda and managed by the Ramakrishna Mission, is one of the most serene spiritual retreats in the Himalayas and contains a fine museum dedicated to Swami Vivekananda's life and teaching. Champawat district remains one of Uttarakhand's best-kept secrets in the Kumaon travel guide.

Where to go

Places to visit in Champawat

Season differs by place — each card below carries its own. Every destination page has altitude and drive time from Dehradun.

Colonial-era cottages amid snow-dusted pines at Abbott Mount, Champawat

Offbeat

Abbott MountA colonial-era hamlet near Lohaghat — old cottages, a hilltop church and a meadow cricket pitch.

Altitude: ~1,950 m
Season: Year round
From DDN: ~530 km

The historic hill town of Champawat, former Chand dynasty capital

Historic Town

ChampawatAncient Chand dynasty capital near Abbott Mount — Baleshwar temple, Jim Corbett's first man-eater story and a fort on a ridge.

Altitude: 1,615 m
Season: Year round
From DDN: ~500 km

The Barahi Devi temple and terraced fields at Devidhura, Champawat

Festival

DevidhuraMaa Barahi Devi temple and the Bagwal — a unique annual stone-pelting festival between four clans, UNESCO-nominated.

Altitude: 1,850 m
Season: Year round · Bagwal festival on Raksha Bandhan (Aug)
From DDN: ~485 km

The quiet forest campus of Advaita Ashrama at Mayawati, Champawat

Spiritual

Mayawati AshramThe Advaita Ashrama at Mayawati — a Ramakrishna Mission retreat founded in 1899, home to a rare Vedanta library and the Prabuddha Bharata journal.

Altitude: 1,940 m
Season: Year round
From DDN: ~445 km

When to go

Best time to visit Champawat

Summer / Spring (April to June)

Best time for exploring Champawat town, Baleshwar temple, and Abbott Mount. Weather is pleasant (15–28°C). Rhododendrons and wildflowers add colour to the oak forests around Lohaghat and Abbott Mount.

Monsoon (July to September)

The Bagwal fair at Devidhura falls in August (Raksha Bandhan) and is the district's most spectacular cultural event. Lush forests are at their finest. Roads can be muddy but Champawat's lower altitude (1,600 m) means fewer disruptions than higher Kumaon districts.

Autumn (October to November)

Post-monsoon clarity delivers excellent mountain views. Abbott Mount and Champawat town are delightfully quiet. Mayawati Ashram is particularly peaceful in this season. One of the best periods for photography and heritage exploration.

Winter (December to February)

Cold but rarely severely snowy at Champawat (1,615 m). Abbott Mount (2,090 m) may see light snow. The district is largely deserted in winter — a gift for those seeking utter solitude. Mayawati Ashram is accessible and beautiful in the cold mountain air.

Getting there

How to reach Champawat

By Road

Champawat town is 399 km from Delhi via Tanakpur (270 km from Delhi via NH-9) and then 130 km on mountain roads. From Haldwani, Champawat is 139 km (3.5–4 hours). From Pithoragarh, Champawat is 93 km via Lohaghat. KMOU buses connect Tanakpur, Haldwani, and Pithoragarh to Champawat and Lohaghat.

By Train

Tanakpur Railway Station, 130 km from Champawat, is the closest and most convenient railhead. It is connected to Delhi (Tanakpur Express from Anand Vihar, 8–9 hours), Lucknow, and other major cities. From Tanakpur, taxis and KMOU buses cover the 130 km road to Champawat (3.5 hours).

By Air

Pantnagar Airport (180 km from Champawat) is the nearest airport, with limited flights to Delhi. Delhi IGI Airport (399 km) via the Tanakpur or Haldwani road is the more reliable option for air travellers. The road from Delhi airport to Champawat takes 9–10 hours by car.

Read

Guides for Champawat

Ancient stone temple at river confluence in Bageshwar with Himalayan hills in background

Travel GuidesBageshwar & Champawat: Complete East Kumaon Heritage Travel GuideEast Kumaon holds two of Uttarakhand's most historically rich towns. Bageshwar, set at the Saryu-Gomti confluence, is the gateway to Pindari glacier. Champawat, the 700-year Chand dynasty capital, guards the 51st Shakti Peetha at Purnagiri. Read More…21 Aug 202612 min read

Common questions

Champawat FAQ

What is Champawat district known for?: Champawat district is known for the Baleshwar temple complex (magnificent 10th–12th century Katyuri stone carving), the colonial hill hamlet of Abbott Mount, the unique Bagwal stone-throwing fair at Devidhura in August, the Mayawati Ashram of the Ramakrishna Mission, and its legacy as the ancient capital of the Chand kings of Kumaon. It is one of Uttarakhand's most offbeat and historically rich districts.
What is the Bagwal fair at Devidhura?: The Bagwal fair is a unique ancient ritual held at Devidhura near Champawat on Raksha Bandhan (August). Two clans — the Waliks and the Chamyals — throw stones at each other in a ceremonial battle before the Barahi Devi temple until enough blood is shed to symbolically fill a human body as an offering to the goddess. The ritual, while seemingly violent, is conducted according to strict ancient codes and is a deeply significant cultural event in the Kumaon calendar.
What is Abbott Mount and why should I visit?: Abbott Mount is a small colonial settlement at 2,090 metres near Lohaghat, established by British businessman John Harold Abbott in 1910. It has over a dozen original colonial-era cottages, the Gothic St. Anne's Church, a golf course, and forest walks. The settlement is extraordinarily peaceful and well-preserved, offering a genuine Raj-era atmosphere against a Himalayan backdrop. It is one of the most unusual and charming places to visit in Uttarakhand.
What is the Mayawati Ashram?: Mayawati Ashram (Advaita Ashrama) is a monastery of the Ramakrishna Mission situated at 1,940 metres on a forested hilltop near Lohaghat, 9 km from Champawat. It was established in 1899 by Swami Vivekananda's disciples and publishes the celebrated spiritual journal Prabuddha Bharata. The ashram runs a museum on Swami Vivekananda, a library, and cottage accommodation for spiritual seekers in a setting of profound quietude.
How do I reach Abbott Mount from Delhi?: Abbott Mount is 420 km from Delhi. The most convenient route is Delhi–Tanakpur by road or train (Tanakpur Express, 8–9 hours), then Tanakpur–Lohaghat by road (130 km, 3 hours), and finally Lohaghat–Abbott Mount (11 km, 30 minutes). The turnoff to Abbott Mount is signposted from Lohaghat town. A taxi from Lohaghat to Abbott Mount costs approximately Rs 400–600.

Planning a Champawat trip

We are a Dehradun operator, so Champawat is a drive we make rather than a listing we resell. Tell us the month and the number of travellers and we will tell you what is open, what is not, and what it costs.

Phone: +91-977-976-6740
Email: booking@travelmybharat.com