Chhiplakot

Chhiplakot
Chhipuldhurà, Najurikot
Chhiplakot from Askot
Highest point
Elevation	4,700 m (15,400 ft)
Coordinates	29°59′N 80°28′E / 29.983°N 80.467°E / 29.983; 80.467
Geography
Chhiplakot Location in India
Location	Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, India
Parent range	Kumaon Himalaya

Chhipulakot or Najurikot, which in Kumaoni Language is called Chhipuldhurà, is a Himalayan mountain range that lies between the Kali River and Gori River in Dharchula region of Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, India. It is bounded on the east by Nepal, on the west by Munsyari, on the north by the Panchachuli Himalayan range and on the south by the Askot. The highest peak of this range is Najurikot, which is about 4700 meters above sea level. Set amidst the majestic Himalayas, this sacred alpine region is blessed with a rich diversity of flora and fauna, serene kund's, and the rare, enchanting Brahma Kamal flowers. Regarded as the abode of Chhipula Kedar Deva and revered for its spiritual aura, this sacred place holds deep religious significance for the people of Dharchula and Munsyari.^[1][2][3]

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 main^{[clarification needed]} of which are Kedar Kund, Patoj Kund, Kakrol Kund, Baram Kund and Huskar Kund. There are many other kunds in Chhiplakot besides this.

References

^[4] coordination 29.9591532, 80.4282521 ^[5]

1. Journal of Ecology Editorial Office, ed. (25 October 2024). "Decision letter for "Plant species richness mediates the responses of microbial necromass carbon accumulation to climate aridity in alpine meadows"". doi:10.1111/1365-2745.70008/v1/decision1. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
2. "1892", British Diaries, University of California Press, pp. 293–293, 28 April 2023, ISBN 978-0-520-32071-0, retrieved 23 August 2025
3. "This page intentionally left blank", The Evolution of Cultural Diversity, Routledge, pp. 22–22, 16 September 2016, ISBN 978-1-315-41861-2, retrieved 23 August 2025
4. History of Kumaon by Badri Datt Pandey, 1937
5. Skanda Purana