Chhiplakot Explained

Chhiplakot
Elevation M:4700
Location:Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, India
Range:Kumaon Himalaya
Map:India
Map Size:250
Label Position:right
Coordinates:29.9833°N 108°W

Chhiplakot or Najurikot, which in local language is called Chhipuldhura, is a Himalayan mountain range that lies between the Kali River and Gori River in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, India. It is bounded on the east by Nepal, on the west by Munsyari and on the north by the Himalayas, on the south by the Askot. This mountain is situated to the south of Panchachuli. The highest peak of this range is Najurikot, which is about 4700 meters above sea level.This place holds a great religious significance amongst the people living in its vicinity. It contains beautiful places full of a wide range of flora and fauna, lakes and beautiful alpine meadows called Bugyals.

Etymology

The name of this mountain in local or Kumaoni language is Chhipuldhura which is made up of two words Chhipla and Dhura. Chhipla Kedar is a folk deity whose area is between the river Kali and Gori Ganga and dhura means mountain or, say, high place. Hence Chhipuldhura or Chhiplakot means the place or abode of the lord Chhipla Kedar. Therefore, this area was named Chhiplakot as it was the stronghold or coat of the god Kedar. This area is very sacred and religious for the people of Kumaon. The remains of an old fort still exist on the top of the mountain.

Lakes

There are many small ponds in this area, the of which are Kedar Kund, Patoj Kund, Kakrol Kund, Baram Kund and Huskar Kund. There are many other kunds in Chhiplakot besides this.

References

[1] coordination 29.9591532, 80.4282521[2]

Notes and References

  1. History of Kumaon by Badri Datt Pandey, 1937
  2. [Skanda Purana]