Banasur Fort, Lohaghat, Champawat, Uttarakhand - बाणासुर किला, लोहाघाट , उत्तराखण्ड

Banasur Fort, Lohaghat, Champawat, Uttarakhand 

             बाणासुर किला, लोहाघाट, उत्तराखण्ड

Banasur Fort - The name of a boon bestowed Banasur, the man with a thousand arms, whereas the fort gives an air of amourous nature, and is the perfect spot to watch the origins of Lohaghati river.

The only structure in the area said to have been constructed in the medieval time, Banasur ka Kila is about 20 kms from Champawat, and about 7kms from Lohaghat. What is interesting about this place, and similar to the Gwal Devta Temple is, that this is a place you visit for its legacy, than for its actual physical presence. Banasur ka Kila was constructed in the memory of Banasur, the eldest son of the mythologically famous King Bali, because he was assassinated here by Lord Krishna, when Banasur had tried to kill Krishna's grandson Aniruddha. To reach the fort, you must journey to Lohaghat, about 5 kms from Champawat and from Champawat to Karnakarayat which is about 6 kms from Lohaghat, and then it's a kilometer long walk to Banasur ka Kila, best taken with a generous dose of tales from the inhabitants.

वाणासुर का क़िला उत्तराखंड में स्थित एक प्रसिद्ध पर्यटन स्थल है। इस स्थान के विषय में यह माना जाता है कि श्रीकृष्ण ने दैत्य वाणासुर का वध यहीं पर किया था। यह क़िला लोहाघाट से लगभग 7 किलोमीटर की दूरी पर 'कर्णरायत' नामक स्थान के पास स्थित है। कर्णरायत से वाणासुर क़िले तक लगभग 1.5 किलोमीटर की दूरी पैदल तय करने के उपरांत पहुँचा जा सकता है। किंवदंती है कि इसी स्थान पर भगवान श्रीकृष्ण के द्वारा वाणासुर का वध किया गया था, क्योंकि उसने श्रीकृष्ण के पौत्र का अपहरण कर लिया था। यहाँ पर पुरातात्विक दृष्टि से महत्त्वपूर्ण मशहूर क़िला आज भी विद्यमान है। इस स्थल से एक ओर हिमालय की भव्य पर्वत शृंखलाओं का दृश्य देखा जा सकता है तो दूसरी ओर लोहाघाट सहित 'मायावती अद्वैत आश्रम' एवं अन्य नैसर्गिक छटाओं का भी आनन्द लिया जा सकता है।

Abbott Mount Hill Station, Lohaghat, Champawat

Abbott Mount Hill Station in the Himalayan region of Utrrakhand

Abbott Mount Cottage is a striking hundred-year-old heritage lodge. With dazzling Himalayan views and never-ending snow clad forest cover, this place is admirable for bird watching and nature treks. The hamlet of Abbott Mount is situated at an altitude of about 6500 ft above sea level in the eastern part of the Kumaon Hills near the small town of Lohaghat in Champawat District.

Abbott Mount was founded by and named after Mr John Harold Abbott, a British businessman who wanted to start a hill station for the European community at the turn of the 20th century. Unlike other Indian hill stations, Abbott Mount has changed little since its commencement. The hill station has with thirteen secluded cottages spread over its private hill and a picturesque church set amidst the forest, an old cricket pitch with an unsurpassed view of the mountain.