Mukteshwar

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 of Shiva, known as MukteshwarDham, 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 MukteshwarMaharajji — who lived at the Top Cottage Temple where his samadhi is. One of his disciples, Swami Sanshudhanandji, now stays there. The whole temple complex is a Tapovan and an ideal place for meditation.

Nice scenery can be viewed from ChaullikiJaali, 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.

SettThe 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
Mukteshwar was previously "Muktesar" . 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[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.

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.[6] Corbett wrote befitting and thrilling accounts of his experiences in the jungle. His books can be freely downloaded online.

Geography
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.