Exploring Mukteshwar City: Attractions, Activities, and Travel Tips

Mukteshwar City

Mukteshwar city has a municipal board in Nainital district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is situated in the Kumaon hills at a height of 51 kms from Nainital, 72 kms from Haldwani and 343 kms from Delhi.

Located in the Nainital district of Uttaranchal, Mukteshwar City is a hilly area surrounded by coniferous forests and orchards. Mukteshwar City is another name of Lord Shiva, which literally means’ one who grants salvation ‘. The famous’ Mukteshwar Temple ‘, whose main deity is Lord Shiva, is a famous attraction here. Apart from the Mukteshwar Temple, there are many attractions in Mukteshwar like the Chauli ki Jali.

The picturesque Mukteshwar City is decorated with small houses of red roofs, ancient-style window frames and picket walls. The area is home to the Renewable Garden developed by the Institute of Energy and Resources and the Indian Veterinary Institute campus. Mukteshwar is a town and a municipal board in Nainital district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is situated in the Kumaon hills at a height of 51 kms from Nainital, 72 kms from Haldwani and 343 kms from Delhi.

Located in the Nainital district of Uttaranchal, Mukteshwar is a hilly area surrounded by coniferous forests and orchards. Mukteshwar is another name of Lord Shiva, which literally means’ one who grants salvation ‘. The famous’ Mukteshwar Temple ‘, whose main deity is Lord Shiva, is a famous attraction here. Apart from the Mukteshwar Temple, there are many attractions in Mukteshwar City like the Chauli ki Jali. The picturesque city is decorated with small houses of red roofs, ancient-style window frames and picket walls. The area is home to the Renewable Garden developed by the Institute of Energy and Resources and the Indian Veterinary Institute campus.

Mukteshwar City is a small hamlet and can be best viewed on foot. Take a leisurely stroll along the main road – which is not more than 2 metres wide at any point – from IVRI to PWD House, enjoying spectacular views of the mountains.

Nearby Attraction

Mukteshwar Dham Temple

The 350-year-old Shiva temple in Mukteshwar Dham is located on the top of a hill Stone steps lead you to the residence of the deity. It is believed that Lord Shiva killed a demon here and gave him moksha (salvation), hence the name Mukteshwar. Mukteshwar Dham was the residence of Saint Shri Mukteshwar Maharaj ji, who lived in a cottage here. One of his disciples, Swami Santudhanandaji, now lives there. The temple complex is an ideal place for meditation.

You can either go to the temple by car or by walking. It is not a well-paved trekking trail, but a narrow dirt path through fruit orchards and coniferous forest that the locals use. A beautiful nature walk of about 2 hours will take you to the top of the hill. This is an easy trek and can be done easily by beginners. When I visited in June, the woods were lush and the path was covered with brown dry pine needles making it slippery. So we had to be extra careful.

Along the way, many wild berries can be found. The diversity of flora on this trek fascinated me. From here you get an amazing 180 degree view of the mighty Himalayas. Nandadevi, Nandakot, Nandaghunti, Trishul and Panchachuli are the major peaks.

Mukteshwar Mahadev Temple

Mukteshwar Temple is a centuries-old temple that houses idols of Lord Shiva along with Lord Ganesha, Brahma, Vishnu, Hanuman and Goddess Parvati. Situated on the banks of the river Ravi, the roots of the cave temple are firmly established in the era of Mahabharata. The Pandavas are said to have used it as one of the refuges during their period of exile.

Situated atop a hill, the temple and caves are carved on rocky hillsides. Standing tall on a hilltop, the temple serves as an important landmark in the Pathankot region. The holy temple has a marble Shivalinga, surrounded by the rest of the idols of Lord Brahma, Vishnu, Hanuman, Ganesha and Goddess Parvati. This temple is open 24 hours.

Mukteshwar Chauli ki Jali

A rocky path passing by the side of the Jali temple of Mukteshwar Chauli leads to a huge group of rocky rocks, locally known as the Jali of Chauli. The rocks hang in the deep valley below making it a spectacular place that offers a fascinating view of the Himalayan ranges and the Kumaon valley. just sit quietly looking at the valley and the horizon, engage in adventure sports or watch the birds of the Himalayas; This is the place where you can easily spend the day alone.

The location and rocky cliffs make this place ideal for activities like rock-climbing, zip-lining and rappelling. The rocks overlook the forest valley and thus provide an ideal place for wildlife enthusiasts to watch raptors like Himalayan eagles and other scavengers as they pray. Locals believe that couples who are having problems in conceiving should visit this place for procreation. Avoid visiting this place on weekends as it gets crowded with local visitors. This place is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure seekers.

Bhalu Garh Waterfalls

India is home to some spectacular waterfalls. These waterfalls are streams that can carve, shape or break rocks, break trees and logs that come in between to make way for the water to flow but we still feel that they are the most captivating marvels of nature. The sight of flowing crystal clear water, the sound of thunder not only brightens the eyes and soul, but also relaxes and rejuvenates the body after a tiring day.

On our recent visit to the Mukteshwar City, we visited one such newly discovered, beloved waterfall known as the Bhalu Gad waterfall. Bhalu Garh waterfall is a 60 feet high waterfall from an unknown source. It is a mixture of horseshoe and dip-shaped waterfalls. The water flows continuously throughout the year, maintaining contact with the rock bottom before turning towards the plunge at the bottom.

In fact, the waterfall gets completely submerged when the flow of water increases during the rainy season. Recently discovered, it is cleaner and less touristy than other waterfalls in Uttarakhand. But gradually Mukteshwar city is gaining attraction, and the waterfall will join the attractions of Mukteshwar City. The rainbow appears at the bottom of the Bhallu Garh waterfall, so the locals call it the Rainbow Waterfall.

Dhokane Waterfall Dhokane

This Waterfall is our summer home. This waterfall is our very dear companion, which gives coolness even in summer. The distance of this waterfall from Nainital is about 30 kilometres.

The Charm of Local Flora and Fauna

The charm of Mukteshwar City is not limited to its popular sights. All this country is a land of botany unsurpassed.’ There are thick pine, oak, deodar and rhododendron forests here. In spring, rhododendron trees erupt in a profusion of red flowers, bathing the hillside in rich hues.

Fruit orchards are also one of the area’s notable features. You will see enormous orchards of apples, plums, peaches, apricots and pears. A walk amidst the gardens is a pleasure, particularly in the fruit season. Fresh, pesticide-free fruit from the producers is often available.

The Indian Veterinary Research Institute IVRI Campus(Founded on 1893) is another such intriguing topic. The terraced colonial-era compound is a relic of palace court life and points to the green expanse that is now enclosed by the city. So the main labs are off limit, but the surrounding is helping a lot for a walk.

Exciting Activities in Mukteshwar City

Mukteshwar City is much more than a peaceful getaway; There’s so much to do that can get your heart racing.

Trekking and Nature Walks. The hills of Mukteshwar City are a trek enthusiast’s delight. There are plenty of trail options for all levels, from easy strolls to more difficult ascents and descents.

Mukteshwar Temple Trek: Two hours of easy walking along forest and garden paths.

Peora to Mukteshwar: A moderate trek that goes through picturesque villages and thick forests.

Kapileswar Temple: Yet another difficult journey to an ancient Shiva temple, this one’s around 10 km away from Mukteshwar.

Sports of Adventure As already said, Jali- of Chauli is the focus point for adventure here.

Rock Climbing: Challenge your strength or stamina while climbing on real rocks.

Rappel : Enjoy to descend with a rope on steep walls or escarpments.

Zip-lining: Soar across the valley for an adrenaline kick.

Paragliding: Although not directly in Mukteshwar, there are splendid paragliding options available in the neighboring town of Bhimtal.

The campsite at Camping Mukteshwar City camping nestled in the heart of the Kumaon hills is a stunning sparkling experience! Most operators sell camping packages that provide you with a bonfire, music and food. And nothing beats waking up to the sight of the rising sun over the Himalayas.

How To Reach Mukteshwar

Mukteshwar City is well connected with other parts of North India. Here’s how you can get there:

Also this is the most common and easiest way to travel Mukteshwar City by road. Road The town is connected well by roads.

By Road

From Delhi: The distance between Mukteshwar City and Delhi is approximately 350 km. NH 9 can be reached in 8-9 hours by car. Usually one goes on the Delhi- > Ghaziabad- > Hapur- > Moradabad- > Rampur- > Rudrapur.> Haldwani-> Bhowali -> Mukteshwar City route.

From Nainital: Mukteshwar City is around 51 kms away from Nainital and it takes an hour and a half to two hours by drive.

From Haldwani: 72 km takes around2.5-3 hours of travel.

Book your bus from FLIXBUS.

By Rail

The closest railhead for Mukteshwar City is Kathgodam (KGM), which is about 65 kms away. Kathgodam is well linked with cities Delhi, Lucknow and Kolkata. Delhi is also just a few hours from Kathgodam via train, as a number of trains such as the Ranikhet Express to Uttarakhand Sampark Kranti Express operate on Delhi route daily. Taxis and shared cabs can be hired from Kathgodam station to Mukteshwar, which is 2.5 hours journey.

Book your railway ticket from IRCTC website.

By Air

The closest air-head is the Pantnagar Airport (PGH), around 100 km from Mukteshwar City. It has an airport with local flights to Delhi. There are cabs readily available at the airport to drive you up to Mukteshwar City. By Road: It is around 3-4 hours journey from Pantnagar. Book your flight ticket from SKYSCANNER.

Best Time to Visit

Mukteshwar City throughout the year destination, each season brings a unique attraction with it.

The summer, which is from March to June also has good weather for sightseeing and trekking as well as adventure sports. The temperature is from 15 to 25 degrees centigrade.

Monsoon period (July to September) has mild to heavy rain and everything turns green. For those who are in love with rain, it’s the best time although some outdoor activities might be limited.

Winters (October to February) Winters are cold with below freezing temperature at night. Mukteshwar is a snow-covered place and appears as if someone has painted it white. It is the best time to get a view of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks.

Mukteshwar City is not just a place; it’s an experience. This is a time to unplug and reconnect with yourself. If you are looking for spiritual awakening, and want to absorb the holistic appeal of this Himalayan valley then Mukteshwar City is the place to be!

Mukteshwar Yatra: Frequently Asked Questions