Mukteshwar is
a town and tourist destination in the Nainital
district of Uttarakhand, India.
It sits high in the Kumaon Hills at an altitude of 2286 meters
(7500 feet), 51 km from Nainital, 72 km
from Haldwani, and
343 km from Delhi.
Local Attractions
Mukteshwar gets its name from
an 350-year-old temple to Shiva, known as Mukteshwar Dham, situated atop the
highest point in the town, on the veterinary institute's campus. Close to it
lie the overhanging cliffs, locally known as Chauli-ki-Jali,
used for rock climbing and rappelling, with an excellent view of the valleys
below. The sunrise point is at the government-run PWD guest house. One can also
visit the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI). Mukteshwar is the abode of a saint —
Shri Mukteshwar Maharaj ji — who lived at the Top Cottage Temple where his
samadhi is. One of his disciples, Swami Sanshudhanand ji, now stays there. The
whole temple complex is a Tapovan and an ideal place for meditation.
IVRI hostels and the PWD rest
house were the prominent shelters for ages. Now, Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam
(KMVN) operates a tourist rest house (can be booked from Delhi as well as on
phone/wireless from other KMVN guest houses). Several other hotels, resorts,
guest houses and seasonal tent/hut-based camps come up. Nice scenery can be
viewed from Chaulli ki Jaali, where rocks jut out from the hill face at a
bizarre angle. This is a great place to observe eagles and other feathered
scavengers as they swoop down at their prey.
The IVRI laboratories
(experiments on tiny rats, gold-plated books, cattle-sheds), orchards of
Central Institutes of Temperate Horticulture-Regional Station, 16 mile x 14
mile wide deodar forest, 22 pristine snow-peak views, and the adventure of
living among wildlife like tigers and bears are some of the major attractions
of this sleepy town. The charm of visiting Mukteshwar lies in enjoying nature,
listening to air gushing through deodar forests, bird watching, meditation, and
seeking peace. The cleanliness, solitude and nature can bore people who like
urban excitement.
History
Until 1893 the place was known for its shrines and temple
before it was selected for serum production to protect animals from cattle
plague.
On the recommendation of the Cattle Plague Commission,
the Imperial Bacteriological Laboratory had its genesis on December 9, 1889 at Pune and relocated to Mukteshwar in 1893
to facilitate segregation and quarantine of highly contagious organisms. Initially
the laboratory at Mukteshwar was completed in 1898 but destroyed by fire in
1899. It was resurrected in 1901. Then annual expenditure on research was Rs.
50,000.
Later it was developed into the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), which later moved its headquarters to Izatnagar. Still
Mukteshwar serves as the hill campus of IVRI, including facilities such as an
experimental goat farm.
The noted Nobel winner
scientist Robert Koch visited this place on request of the government of India.
The microscope used by him and other historical articles are kept in the museum
maintained by IVRI. Hill carved cold room in 1900 is a place of attraction for
visitors. It was made to store biological materials then.
Famous saviour of horror-stricken people from man-eating
tigers and writer Jim Corbett visited Mukteshwar. He wrote of Mukteshwar in Man-Eaters of Kumaon. Corbett wrote befitting and thrilling accounst
of his experiences in the jungle.
Geography
Mukteshwar is located at 29.4722°N
79.6479°E. It has an average elevation of
2,171 metres (7,123 feet).
Mukteshwar is rich in scenic
beauty, with magnificent views of the Indian Himalayas including India's second-highest peak, Nanda
Devi.
Because of the hilly
topography, agriculture in the area consists chiefly of potato fields and fruit orchards on terraces cut into
the hillsides.
Kumaon Vani Radio Service
With the aim to create a
common platform for local communities of Supi in Uttarakhand, TERI launched 'Kumaon Vani', a community radio
service on March 11, 2010. Uttarakhand governor Margaret
Alva inaugurated
the radio station, the first in the state. The 'Kumaon Vani' aims to air
programmes on environment, agriculture, culture, weather and education in the
local language and with the active participation of the communities. The
station covers a radius of 10 km reaching out to almost 2000 locals around
Mukteshwar.
New Development
There is a 'Renewable Park'
developed by TERI. The renewable park uses
solar electricity for most of its electricity needs. Recently, the town has
experienced some construction activity and townships have begun to mushroom in
and around Mukteshwar. Many people are buying holiday homes here to escape large
chaotic cities.
Transport
