MUKTESWAR

Leave a comment
  • Country: India
  • State: Uttrakhand
  • District: Nainital
  • Nearest International Airport: IGI Delhi
  • Nearest Railway Station: Kathgodam (Haldwani)
  • Distance from the nearest Railway Station: 64 Km.
  • Height from Sea Level: 7,500 ft. (2286m)
  • Distance from Nanital: 51 Km.
  • Distance from Delhi: 343 Km.
  • Mukteshwar gets its name from a 350-year-old temple of 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. Mukteshwar temple was built by a pandiya king from the Tamil kingdom during the 15th century. This can be confirmed by local guides who have been living there for generations.
  • Major attraction of Mukteswar: the IVRI laboratories (experiments on tiny rats, gold-plated books, cattle-sheds), orchards of the Central Institutes of Temperate Horticulture-Regional Station, an expansive deodar forest (Himalayan cedar) measuring 15 square miles, 22 pristine snow-peak views, and the adventure of living among wildlife such as tigers and bears are. 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 attract people escaping urban life.
  • Mukteshwar is also home to a post office founded in 1905 which finds mention in Jim Corbett’s writing.
  • History:
  • Mukteshwar was previously Muktesar (as mentioned in Jim Corbett‘s book “The Temple Tiger”); the name changed after 1947. Until 1893 the place was known for its shrines and temple before it was selected for serum production to protect animals from cattle plague.[2] On the recommendation of the Cattle Plague Commission, the Imperial Bacteriological Laboratory had its genesis on 9 December 1889 at Pune and relocated to Mukteshwar in 1893[3] 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.[2] 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.[4][5]
  • 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. An hill carved cold room dating back to 1900 once used to store biological materials is now a tourist attraction.
  • 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.[6] Corbett wrote befitting and thrilling accounts of his experiences in the jungle. His books can be freely downloaded online.

  • you can find accommodation and food in mukteswar,Bhawali,Bhimtal, or Nanital.

     

    This slideshow requires JavaScript.

     

Leave a comment