Mukteshwar is a child of disease. Don’t get me wrong: it’s perfectly beautiful, quiet. healthy and enjoyable getaway, but it would not have grown beyond the hamlet that it was in the late 1800s were rinderpest not such common cattle disease at the time. For all you know, it might have remained unconnected by the road, and figured in this bolg as part of trekking itinerary from Nainital.
Congestion in Pune was the other disease that contributed to Mukteshwar’s rise. Well, at least the British thought the city of Peshwas had become too crowded for advanced research, and the Imperial Bacteriological Laboratory, then housed in the city’s college of Science, ought to move out. That said, waht really swung the deal in favour of Mukteshwar was its own good health: unpolluted environs and a round the year coolness. I suspect the immense natural beauty of the place also influenced the decision in no small measure. and so it was that the brits bought over 3000 acres of land under the Shiva temple that lends the place its name, and got doen to serious business of controlling animal diseases.
That was in August of 1893, a good 127 years ago. What is Mukteshwar like today? Has it succumbed to the same urban disease that ailed Pune all those years ago? is it still beautiful? the answer to second question is no, and to the last, an emphatic yes. Cold as any ground 7500 ft above sea level, green as any place showered with 1450 mm rainfall, quiet as any road with more bends than people, and bearing the stamp of approval of no less a man than Jim Corbett, Mukteshwar is guranteed to delight.
Even after a century, Mukteshwar is all about the Old Imperial Bacteriological Laboratory, renamed Indian Veterinary Research Instititue ( IVRI) soon after Independence. It is also about the fabulous view of the Himalayan peaks, The town lies along the road up from Ramgarh; begins with institutes estate called Mukteshwar Reserve Forest, and ends with the road to the PWD Inspection Bungalow. Midway on this stretch lies town’s only roundel, called chowfulli, with the IVRI gate on the right and Methodist Church on the left, a short trek below the road. The IVRI hospital and the town market also lie along the road further ahead. Then come the trails leading leftwards to the Mukteshwar Temple and the promontory called Chauthi Jaali, and finally the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam guest house, with the PWD inspection Bunalow below it.
Mukteshwar is beautiful round the year. The trees are heavy with fruit during summer, the hills are at their greenest during the rains and covered with snow at the peak of winter. That said, avoid the monsoon. Mukteshwar is a great place to lose yourself in without really getting lost.
Top Tourist Attractions in Mukteshwar
Apart from the panoramic view the town offers, it is the abode of the Mukteshwar Temple from which Mukteshwar got its name. Some of the tourist attractions that are enwrapped in the town without a doubt come with the scintillating view of the Himalayas and valley of the Kumaon region.
MUKTESHWAR TEMPLE
Devoted to the divine lord Shiva, this temple has high importance in the heart of Hindu devotees. Set an elevation of 2312 m above the seas level, the temple dates back to 350 years and reaching here is not a hassle as it’s just 1 km away from the Mukteshwar market. Once here you may come across the simple and minimalist architecture of the temple which has a beautifully carved Shivling encircled with the idols of Vishnu, Brahma, Ganesh, Parvati, Hanuman, and Nandi.
METHODIST CHURCH
Another tourist attraction of Mukteshwar is the Methodist Church making its way through a specially carved by rocks by passersby on the way to Chowfulli. The Church is located 40 km away from Mukteshwar and till date maintained in the same way where worshippers love to pay a visit on Sunday to see the mystery of the church’s low wooden door.
CHAULI KI JAALI
Situated behind the Mukteshwar Temple on a cliff is the Chauli ki Jaali, the place offers a splendid view of the Himalayas and valley of the Kumaon region.
How to Reach Mukteshwar?
BY AIR
Pantnagar Airport situated 98 km away, is the nearest airport to Mukteshwar. Taxis are available from the airport to Mukteshwar.
BY RAIL
Kathgodam is the nearest railhead to Mukteshwar, situated 64 km away. One can hire a cab from the railway station to reach Mukteshwar.
BY ROAD
Mukteshwar is well connected with major travel destinations of Uttarakhand. Buses are available from Delhi to Kathgodam/Haldwani and Mussoorie and taxis are easily accessible from Garhwal and Kumaon region
