Tuesday, January 11, 2011

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 395 km from Delhi.


Local attractions
Mukteshwar gets its name from an 350-year-old temple to Shiva, known as Mukteshwar Dham, situated atop the highest point in the town, within the IVRI campus, and close to which 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 hostels and the PWD resthouse were the prominent shelters for ages. Now, KMVN operates a Tourist Rest house (can be booked from Delhi as well as on Phone / Wireless from other KMVN guest houses). Several other hotels, resorts, guest houses and seasonal tent / hut based camps come up. Valley Unwind Resort is one of the best resort for various eco-tour activities around the valley. Nice scenery can be viewed from Chaulli ki Jaali, 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.[1] IVRI laboratories (experiments on tiny rats, gold plated books, cattle-sheds), 16 mile x 14 mile wide Deodar forest, prestine 22 snow-peaks view, advanture of living among wildlife like tigers and bears, are some of the major attractions of this sleepy town. Mukteshwar is abode of a saint - Shri Mukteshwar Maharaj ji - who lived at the Top Cottage Temple where his samadhi is situated. One of his disciple - Swami Sanshudhanand ji - now stays there. Whole temple complex is a Tapovan, and an ideal place for meditation. Charm of visiting Mukteshwar lies in enjoying nature, listening to air gushing through deodar forests, bird watching, meditation, and seeking peace. If you are the city dwelling, club hopping, TV-Multiplex-Mall addicted type, then give this place a miss, the cleanliness, solitude and nature will bore you.

wikipedia.com

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