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:: MUKTESHWAR :: |
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Uttarakhand Kumaon Hills are dotted with many
numbers of gorgeous hill stations, each with its own special
charm and easy accessibility. One such splendid hill
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resort is
Mukteshwar, 2300 m, a secluded retreat blessed with pleasant
weather and heart-stopping vistas of the Himalayas. |
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| The town
of Mukteshwar is associated with a legend of Shiva who
gifted immortality or Mukti to a demon that he slew.
Mukteshwar was a quiet mountain hamlet till the turn of
the last century.
It
owes much of its present day status to the Indian
Veterinary Research Institute, which possesses a large
part of the land and most of the deep forests that
surround Mukteshwar. Rhesus monkeys and langurs jabber in
the trees, deer and birds abound, and the occasional
mountain leopard and Himalayan black bear can be spotted. |
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It was in the forests of the Kumaon region that
Jim Corbett hunted half a dozen of the famous man-eating
tigers of Kumaon, including the notorious Champawat Tiger and
the Panar leopard that had killed hundreds of people |
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The evergreen
forests and deciduous woodlands are home to the Himalayan ruby
throat, white-crested laughing thrush, red-billed leothrix,
black winged kite and a host of other mountain birds. The
elusive Himalayan Mountain Quail was last seen in the Nainital
vicinity near Mukteshwar. Beyond the forests, past fields and
farms are lush fruit orchards that grow apples, plums,
peaches, apricots and pears. |
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From Mukteshwar there is a divine view of the
Himalayas, each peak with a sacred identity and myth of its
own. See the 6596 m high Neelkantha (Blue-throated Shiva), the
7120 m Trishul (Shiva's Trident), Nanadadevi, 7817 m (Goddess
of Bliss), Nanadaghunti 6310 m (the Veil of the Goddess) and
the five-pronged chimneys of the Panchuli peaks |
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Another awe-inspiring view is from Chauthi Jali,
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. Ramgarh, 26 km
away, has blissful fruit orchards, Bhowali, 40 km is a health
resort and Ghorakhal, 37 km has the temple of Gollu Devta, an
important deity of the Kumaonis. Other excursions are the
Devidhura temple, 120 km, the Reetha Sahib Gurdwara and the
Punyagiri temple. |
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Best time:
Mukteshwar is a year-round holiday destination. Summer
temperatures range from 27º C to 10ºC, while in winter it is
from 17ºC to 3ºC. August and early September are rainy months
and can be avoided. Light woollens are fine for summer, but
heavy winter woolens are necessary. |
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Distances - Mukteshwar is
350 km from Delhi, a drive of about 10-11 hours via Nainital,
53 km or Haldwani 49 km. The nearest railhead is at Kathgodam,
72 km, from where buses and taxis are available for Mukteshwar. |
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Accommodation:
Government rest house are available and deluxe cottages,
luxury tents and Hotels resorts are available for stay. |
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Mukteshwar
Reservation Form
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