The short answer
Ek Hathiya Ka Naula: what visitors should know first
A short, rewarding stop if you are already in Champawat. It takes 20 to 30 minutes, and is best treated as an add-on to Baleshwar. Do not expect facilities or interpretation; confirm the exact location with a local before you set off.
Useful facts
Ek Hathiya Ka Naula facts at a glance
- Location
- About 5 km from Champawat town (district tourism page)
- Experience type
- Short heritage stop
- Known for
- Mortar-free stone tank with carved deities
- Carvings
- Vishnu, Ganesha and Surya mentioned in district listing
- Time or schedule
- Daylight; no verified hours
Why it matters
Why Ek Hathiya Ka Naula is worth your time
A naula is a traditional Kumaoni stepped water source, and Ek Hathiya Ka Naula is one of the better-known examples near Lohaghat. The district tourism site describes it as a stone reservoir built without mortar and carved with images of Vishnu, Ganesha and Surya, and it tells the legend of a one-handed man who carved it overnight.
The point of seeing it is the idea behind it: in hill country, water sources were central to settlement and were treated with the same care as shrines. A visit helps you see Champawat's history through its everyday structures, not only its temples.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Stone joinery
The tank is described as built without mortar, so look closely at how the stones lock together.
- 02
Carved deities
Figures of Vishnu, Ganesha and Surya are reported on the structure.
- 03
The one-handed legend
Locals tell of a craftsman with one hand carving the whole tank in a single night.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Visit Ek Hathiya Ka Naula after Baleshwar so you can compare the two kinds of Chand-era stonework: one a grand temple compound, the other a practical water structure. District tourism pages place it about 5 km from Champawat, so ask your driver to confirm the lane and the parking spot before you leave town.
Look first at how the stones are fitted. The district site says it was built without mortar, a claim that rewards a closer look at the joints. Then find the carved figures: Vishnu, Ganesha and Surya are mentioned. A local legend says a one-handed craftsman carved the tank in a single night, which is where the name comes from.
Stay briefly. There is not much else here, so 20 to 30 minutes is enough. If the area is muddy or slippery after rain, keep to the edges and avoid getting close to the water.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Confirm the exact lane and parking with your driver
- Wear shoes with grip near wet stone
- Do not climb on the carvings
- Combine with Baleshwar in the same trip
- Carry water; facilities are unlikely
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- About 5 km from Champawat town, per district tourism pages
- Time needed
- 20–40 minutes
- Best time
- Morning light; dry months for safer footing
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- The site is small, with short walks and possibly uneven stone or wet ground around the tank. Wear grippy shoes and take an arm if anyone is unsteady.
- Tickets and access
- No ticketing details verified. Treat it as a heritage site: do not climb on the stonework or disturb carvings.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Ek Hathiya Ka Naula
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The site is small, with short walks and possibly uneven stone or wet ground around the tank. Wear grippy shoes and take an arm if anyone is unsteady.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Why is it called Ek Hathiya?
The name refers to a legend of a one-handed man who is said to have carved it in a single night.
Is it far from Lohaghat?
It is about 5 km from Champawat, which itself is roughly 13 to 14 km from Lohaghat, so plan on a trip of 20 km or so.
How long should I allow?
About 20 to 40 minutes, usually combined with Baleshwar.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.