It is believed about Maneshwar temple that in the Samudra Manthan, Lord Vishnu took the form of Kurma or tortoise on the Kurma mountain located in front of this temple. It is said that the Pandava sons were visiting this place during their exile with their mother, the day of Amalaki Ekadashi. It was the date of Shradh of King Pandu, and their Mother Kunti had vowed that she would perform Shradh with the water of Mansarovar. Mother Kunti told this to Yudhishthira. Then Yudhishthira asked Arjuna to fulfill the vow of his mother. Arjuna created a stream of water at the same place by shooting Gandharva’s bow and arrows. After performing Shradh of King Pandu with this water, the Pandavas worshiped Lord Shiva by establishing a Shivling dedicated to Lord Shiva at this temple to express their gratitude.
A stream of water emerged at the place where Arjuna shot the arrow and is now known as ‘Guptnauli.’ Amalika Ekadashi is celebrated as the anniversary of the Shaktipeeth after the Pandavas established the Shivling. On this day, people coming from far and wide offer special prayers in the temple premises. Apart from the Maneshwar temple, one can also visit other ancient popular temples such as Purnagiri Temple, Aditya Temple, Kranteshwar Mahadev Temple, Baleshwar Temple, Pancheshwar Mahadev Temple, Nagnath Temple, and Kamakhya Devi Temple.
The tourist places of Champawat like Shyamalatal, a pedestal. GarudwaraReetha Sahib, Banasar Fort are also accesible from here.
Maneshwar Temple is an ancient temple that is about 7 km from Champawat town and 1 km from the Champawat-Pithoragarh motorway. It is located on a mountain amidst the grace of nature. Maneshwar Temple is the oldest temple of Champawat and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Maneshwar temple was built by Nirbhaychand, a King of the Chand Dynasty, in the 8th century.
Along with the construction of the temple, the king also got the AkhandDhuna site constructed and, at the same time, built a pucca stepwell near the temple to collect the water of the Gupta Naula.
Maneshwar temple champawat is also worshiped as Shaktipeeth, and the Kranteshwar mountain, the spot of Lord Kurma, is situated right near the Maneshwar temple. According to the beliefs, many miraculous powers of Shaktipeeth have been the center of wonder and reverence for centuries. It is said that bathing with the water of GuptNauli located near the temple has many virtues and benefits. Diseases and disorders are removed, and the devotees get cured.
By visiting the Maneshwar temple, devotees get spiritual peace, and worshiping the Shivlingfulfills the desired wishes of the devotees. Childless couples are said to be blessed with children after visiting the Maneshwar temple. Every year thousands of people come to the temple to offer prayers at the Ekadashi fair held here.