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The Champawat district is 76 km from Pithoragarh at an altitude of 1615m. Originally the capital of the
rulers ofthe Chand Dynasty, Champawat is famous for its abundant scenic beauty and well-known temples like Baleshwar
Champadari, Rateneshwar & Durga. It was at Champawat that Loard Vishnu is said to have appeared in Kurmavatar hence Kumaon came to be known as
Kurmanchal. The place is famous not only from historical, cultural, scriptural & archaeological point of view but also for tis natual beauty. The ancient fort now houses the govt. offices.
Place of Interest
Baleshwar Temple : The group of temples dedciated to
Baleshwar, Rameshwar & Champawati Durga
 were built by the early kings of Chand dynasty and its intricate structural carvings even today enthrails the visitors. The complex is with its richly carved rock structures, with double-shrine and double
mandap, almost gem like. Though the main sanctum is lost, the Ras Mandap which encloses a Shiv Parvati and has erotci carving at the base, several isolated pranalis and panesl depicting Bhairon and Shiv Parvati scattered all over the compound, point towards a Shivalik shrine. The sculpted symobols of
kirtimukh, rows, of diamonds & lotus on the pillars are reminiscent of medieval west Indian sculpture. The complex is a restimony to ancient glory & artistic excellence.
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