Mukteshwaris a village and tourist destination in theNainital districtofUttarakhand,India.It sits high in theKumaonHills at an altitude of 2171[1]meters (7500 feet), 51 km fromNainital,72 km fromHaldwani,and 343 km from Delhi.
Mukteshwar | |
|---|---|
Village | |
 View from Chauli Ki Jali, Mukteshwar | |
  Mukteshwar Location in Uttarakhand, India  Mukteshwar Mukteshwar (India) | |
| Coordinates:29°28′20″N79°38′52″E/ 29.4722°N 79.6479°E | |
| Country |  India |
| State | Uttarakhand |
| District | Nainital |
| Elevation | 2,171 m (7,123 ft) |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 812 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Hindi |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30(IST) |
| PIN | 263138 |
| Telephone code | 05942 |
| Vehicle registration | UK-04 |
| Website | uk |
Places of interest
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Mukteshwar Shiva temple
editMukteshwar gets its name from a 5350-year-old temple ofShiva,known asMukteshwar Dham,[2]situated atop the highest point in the town, on the veterinary institute's campus. Close to it lie the overhanging cliffs, locally known asChauli-ki-Jali,[3]used for rock climbing and rappelling, with an excellent view of the valleys below. Mukteshwar is famous for its breezy waterfalls such asThe Bhalu Ghaad,Tarikhet waterfalls,Rudradhari waterfallandDhokaney waterfall.The sunrise point is at the government-run PWD guest house. Another tourist attraction is the small Satoli Village, situated just 21 km from Mukteshwar. One can also visit theIndian Veterinary Research Institute(IVRI).
Other
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Some of the edifices of this town are 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
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Mukteshwar was previously known asMuktesar(as mentioned inJim Corbett's book "The Temple Tiger" ); the name changed after 1947. Many locals still call it Muktesar in their native language. Until 1893 the place was known for its shrines and temple before it was selected for serum production to protect animals from cattle plague.[4]On the recommendation of the CattlePlagueCommission, the Imperial Bacteriological Laboratory had its genesis on 9 December 1889 atPuneand relocated to Mukteshwar in 1893[5]to facilitate segregation andquarantineof highlycontagiousorganisms.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.[4]Later it was developed into theIndian Veterinary Research Institute(IVRI), which later moved its headquarters toIzatnagar.Still Mukteshwar serves as the hill campus of IVRI, including facilities such as an experimentalgoatfarm.[6][7]
The Nobel winner scientist Robert Koch visited this place on the request of the government of India. The microscope used by him and other historical articles are kept in the museum maintained by IVRI. A hill carved cold room dating back to 1900 once used to store biological materials is now a tourist attraction.
Jim Corbett,author and hunter of man-eating tigers and leopards visited Mukteshwar. He wrote about Mukteshwar in his bookThe Temple Tiger and More Man-Eaters of Kumaon.He wrote about the various adversities faced by the people inhabiting the villages in remote areas of the Northern hills.
Rock climbing & rappelling
editFruit orchards, coniferous forests, lush green trails and narrow lanes make Mukteshwar a special destination for trekking. Apart from trekking, camping, paragliding; Mukteshwar is also known for rock climbing and rappelling.[8]The region is full of hard rocky hills, which are suitable for rock climbing. Exotic travelers visit here to experience these activities. Rocky hills of Mukteshwar are quite strong.[clarification needed]However, this adventure sport may be a little risky in the rainy days. Popular trails in Mukteshwar include:[citation needed]
Geography
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Mukteshwar is located at29°28′20″N79°38′52″E/ 29.4722°N 79.6479°E.[10]It has an average elevation of 2,171 metres (7,500 feet). Mukteshwar is situated inNainital districtat a distance of 51 km fromNainital,the district's administrative headquarter and 72 km fromHaldwani,the largest city in Nainital.
Mukteshwar's scenery includes views of the IndianHimalayasand India's second-highest peak,Nanda Devi.Because of the hilly topography, agriculture in the area consists chiefly ofpotatofields and fruit orchards on terraces cut into the hillsides.
Climate
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Mukteshwar has asubtropical highland climate(Köppen climate classificationCwb). The pattern of seasons is similar to that in other parts of northern India, with distinct summer, monsoon and winter seasons. However, due to its high elevation, Mukteshwar is spared the intense heat of lower-lying towns and cities. Mukteshwar has cold winters and relatively cool summer with drastically escalated rain, in relation with lower altitudes, and frequent fog. Summers are warm with moderate rainfall, while the monsoon season is slightly cooler and features much heavier rain. Winters can be quite cool, and temperatures below freezing are not unusual. Snowfall occurs occasionally in December and January, though it is sparse, while the heavy rainfall events occurs during the monsoon season stretching from July to September.
| Climate data for Mukteshwar (1981–2010, extremes 1901–2012) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 23.0 (73.4) |
24.2 (75.6) |
28.5 (83.3) |
31.5 (88.7) |
31.1 (88.0) |
32.5 (90.5) |
30.6 (87.1) |
27.9 (82.2) |
26.8 (80.2) |
25.5 (77.9) |
23.1 (73.6) |
22.5 (72.5) |
32.5 (90.5) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 12.3 (54.1) |
13.4 (56.1) |
17.4 (63.3) |
22.2 (72.0) |
23.7 (74.7) |
23.6 (74.5) |
21.5 (70.7) |
20.8 (69.4) |
20.7 (69.3) |
19.8 (67.6) |
17.0 (62.6) |
14.2 (57.6) |
18.9 (66.0) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 1.7 (35.1) |
2.3 (36.1) |
5.4 (41.7) |
9.5 (49.1) |
11.7 (53.1) |
13.4 (56.1) |
13.8 (56.8) |
13.6 (56.5) |
12.2 (54.0) |
9.1 (48.4) |
5.6 (42.1) |
3.3 (37.9) |
8.5 (47.3) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −7.6 (18.3) |
−7.8 (18.0) |
−5.9 (21.4) |
−1.7 (28.9) |
2.3 (36.1) |
5.9 (42.6) |
4.6 (40.3) |
9.8 (49.6) |
1.3 (34.3) |
0.8 (33.4) |
−2.3 (27.9) |
−5.7 (21.7) |
−7.8 (18.0) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 46.7 (1.84) |
65.2 (2.57) |
52.9 (2.08) |
46.0 (1.81) |
69.4 (2.73) |
140.2 (5.52) |
277.1 (10.91) |
277.7 (10.93) |
236.9 (9.33) |
39.5 (1.56) |
10.9 (0.43) |
22.0 (0.87) |
1,284.4 (50.57) |
| Average rainy days | 3.0 | 4.1 | 3.8 | 3.4 | 5.8 | 9.3 | 13.8 | 14.1 | 10.4 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 1.4 | 71.7 |
| Averagerelative humidity(%)(at 17:30IST) | 63 | 63 | 60 | 46 | 59 | 69 | 88 | 90 | 86 | 74 | 69 | 62 | 69 |
| Source:India Meteorological Department[11][12] | |||||||||||||
Kumaon Vani radio service
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With the aim to create a common platform for local communities of Supi inUttarakhand,TERIlaunched 'Kumaon Vani', a community radio service on 11 March 2010. Uttarakhand governorMargaret Alvainaugurated 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.[13]
New development
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There is a 'Renewable Park' developed byTERI.The renewable park uses solar electricity for most of its electricity needs. Recently,[when?]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 larger cities.[citation needed]
Transport
editThenearest airportis atPantnagarandthe nearest railway headis atKathgodam,65 km from the town, from where vehicular transport is easily available for neighbouring towns ofBhimtal,Bhowali,HaldwaniandNainital.
The other means of road transport in the city includeShare taxis,regionally known as Jeeps, on-call metered taxis and tourist taxis. The state transportation bus service is available from Nainital.
References
edit- ^"NAINITAL TOURISM 1000 Pages Since 1999 - Mukteshwar | Mukteshwar Tourism | Mukteshwar Temple | Mukteshwar Travel Guide | Mukteshwar Nainital India | Camping In Mukteshwar | How To Reach Mukteshwar | Mukteshwar Weather | Mukteshwar Distance Chart |".highwaymonks.Archived fromthe originalon 8 February 2017.Retrieved27 January2016.
- ^Dasgupta, Shailza Sood DasguptaShailza Sood."Mukteshwar Dham Temple".The Times of India.ISSN0971-8257.Retrieved6 July2023.
- ^"Chauli Ki Jali".jüSTa.29 September 2022.Retrieved6 July2023.
- ^abImperial Gazetteer of India, Volume 18, Page 18
- ^MukteshwarArchived2008-06-21 at theWayback MachineOfficial website ofNainital district
- ^Evolution of IVRIArchived2009-02-08 at theWayback MachineIndian Veterinary Research InstituteOfficial website.
- ^CampusesArchived2009-02-01 at theWayback Machine,Indian Veterinary Research Instituteofficial website.
- ^"Activities in Mukteshwar – Things to do in Mukteshwar – Adventure in Mukteshwar".euttaranchal.15 August 2017.Retrieved6 July2023.
- ^"World Weather Information Service".worldweather.wmo.int.Retrieved16 November2016.
- ^Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Mukteshwar[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Station: Mukteswar (Kumaun) Climatological Table 1981–2010"(PDF).Climatological Normals 1981–2010.India Meteorological Department. January 2015. pp. 507–508. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 5 February 2020.Retrieved15 February2020.
- ^ "Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)"(PDF).India Meteorological Department. December 2016. p. M226. Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 5 February 2020.Retrieved15 February2020.
- ^"TERI launches 'Kumaon Vani' community radio service in Uttarakhand".13 March 2010.
External links
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Mukteshwartravel guide from Wikivoyage- Magical Mukteshwar – Breathing The Mountain Goodness
