Attractions in Mukteshwar: Explore ‘The Apple Country’ of Uttarakhand

In 1944, the famed hunter-naturalist Jim Corbett published an engaging book detailing his experiences with man-eating tigers in the Kumaon region of India. A certain village he mentions in the memoir was made famous anew to the world, then a village and today a small town, seated at a height of 7000ft in the Kumaon Hills and about 51 kilometres from the Indian hill station of Nainital, in the northern state of Uttarakhand: Mukteshwar – ‘The Apple Country’ of India. This hill hamlet gets its name from a 350-year-old Shiva Temple called Mukteshwar Dham, which itself is situated atop the highest point in the town on the campus of the veterinary institution.

Top Attractions in Mukteshwar

• Mukteshwar Temple: A 350-year-old Shiva Temple
• Waterfalls: Bhalu Gaad, Tarikhet, Rudradhari, and Dhokaney waterfalls
• Sunrise Point: A government guest house to watch the sunrise every day
• Satoli Village: A quaint village nearby
• Hiking, rock climbing, and rappelling: Many adventures on verdant paths and winding alleys
• Mukteshwar Market: Splurge on goodies for yourself, family, and friends
• Camping: Enjoy survivalist and winter camping
• The serene sights of the Himalayas
• Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot, Nanda Ghunti, Trishul, and Panchachuli: majesty of mountain peaks

This hamlet was originally called ‘Muktesar’ and that is how Jim Corbett described it in his book ‘The Temple Tiger’. The locals still call it that even though the official name changed in 1947. For over three centuries, Mukteshwar has been known for its shrines. In 1883, when the agricultural world was hit with the scourge of cattle plague, Mukteshwar was chosen as a site for serum production to protect livestock from the ‘rinderpest’ epidemic.

Initially at Pune, the Imperial Bacteriological Laboratory relocated to Mukteshwar on December 9, 1889. This later evolved into the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) which eventually moved to Izatnagar, leaving Mukteshwar as its winter campus instead. When it comes to places in Uttarakhand, Mukteshwar easily makes it to the must-visit list. Let’s now move on to the many attractions in Mukteshwar.

Mukteshwar Temple: A 350-year-old Shiva Temple

About 350 years old, this Shiva temple in Mukteshwar Dham is situated at the apex of a hill. The stony path leads you inside. Legend has it that the Hindu God Shiva killed a demon here and ‘liberated him from the cycle of birth’ or ‘Mukti’ in Sanskrit, thus giving the temple and the village it is located in, the name Mukteshwar. Mukteshwar Dham was home to Saint Shri Mukteshwar Maharaj who lived in a cottage nearby.

One of his followers, Swami Sanshudhanand ji, still resides there. It is a good place to meditate. You can either drive to Mukteshwar Dham or visit it on foot. The trekking trail used by locals and the one recommended, is a narrow mud path through the dense forest.

It’ll take you two hours to reach the top. The trek is easy for beginners but can be slippery so please take care. Your path will be lined by trees with many wild berries and other gorgeous plants.

Waterfalls in Mukteshwar: From Bhalu Gaad to Dhokaney

There are many beautiful waterfalls to explore in Mukteshwar: -

• Bhalu Gaad
• Tarikhet
• Rudradhari
• Dhokaney

Bhalu Gaad:

Bhalu Gaad, which means ‘Bear Stream’, gets its name from the great number of bears found nearby. Therefore, the waterfall is a great spot for bear sightings. Also, for the same reason, visiting at night is not permitted.

Tarikhet:

Tarikhet Waterfall is located in a dense forest surrounded by expansive green landscapes. This cascading waterfall is endearing because of its full-bodied flow of water.

Rudradhari:

Rudradhari Waterfall is home to a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, and like most places in Mukteshwar, there are myths around it. It is a tranquil spot for meditation.

Dhokaney:

This waterfall is nestled in the pines of Dhokaney Village. The water creates a comfortably warm pool at the bottom of the falls, great for a dip.

Sunrise Point:

Known locally as ‘Himdarshan Point’, you get to see the wondrous sight of sunrise & sunset as the snow-covered mountain peaks glow with a golden hue as the beams of the rising sun fall on them. On a clear day, a pristine view of the Himalayan Peaks is possible.

Satoli

This is a cute quiet little Kumaoni Village near Mukteshwar with quiet hills, silvery blue streams and crackling hearths.

Hiking, rock climbing, rappelling, camping etc.

Mukteshwar is a great place for rock climbing and rappelling because of its rocky terrain and steep cliffs:

The hilly terrain gives both beginners and experts, great opportunities to climb rocks with some help from professional guides.

Chauli Ki Jali is very popular for rappelling and experienced guides and instructors can help teach you the right techniques and provide the necessary equipment to ensure a safe and fun experience. You can also camp in the forest nearby; ample camping opportunities exist with tents available along with necessary amenities for safe camping.

If you’re a paraglider, then Bhimtal near Mukteshwar is a great place for paragliding. Under the instruction of experienced guides, you can learn to cross a river. Also, the steep slopes and turns of the hill roads are great for a mountain bike ride.

Mukteshwar Market

Mukteshwar isn’t home to fancy malls or supermarkets but its marketplace has social enterprises selling pretty handmade clothing like shawls, sweaters, cardigans, and other woollen items, chocolate shops selling handmade chocolate, and organic stores.

Nanda Devi, Nanda Ghunti, Trishul, and Panchachuli

Nanda Devi

At a height of 25,643 ft., Nanda Devi Peak is the second-highest peak in India and a spectacular travel experience. The base camp is at Bidalgwar from which you have to climb rough to reach the Advance Base Camp, located at 4,750 m.

Nanda Ghunti

Located on the outer rim of the Nanda Devi Sanctuary, the Nanda Ghunti Peak can be seen from Bedni Bugyal meadows. Climbing this mountain peak at 20,695 ft. is only for experienced climbers.

Trishul

Trishul, this mountain peak that resembles the trident of Shiva, the weapon of the god of time and death. This peak in the Garhwali Himalayas is 23,435 ft. high. Trishul has a tough mountain climbing track, and it advised that you progress gradually while ascending towards the summit point.

Chandinaya Ghat is the base camp from which you should begin climbing, and the riskier climb begins through Ronti Gad Glacier that is at a height of 5,020 m.

Panchachuli

Panchachuli, is a group of 5 snow-capped peaks in the Himalayas elevating from 6,334 to 6,904 metres. This cluster is nestled in Uttarakhand’s Kumaon region, near Dugtu village, Darma Valley. This mountain peak’s name means ‘Five Peaks’.

Uttarakhand: Many Great Places to Discover

Uttarakhand is an astonishingly beautiful state in the Himalayan part of Northern India. It is divided into a western part, called "Garhwal", and an eastern part called "Kumaon" with a distinct culture and language in each region. Uttarakhand is picturesque and spiritual with the Himalayan ranges on all sides and shrines to enliven and attract pilgrims in every hamlet.

It is strongly recommended that Uttarakhand’s offerings such as the pretty little hill village of Mukteshwar and its many delights are enjoyed with the right travel partners. Therefore, opting for ‘Mukteshwar tour packages’ makes all the sense. Tour packages and customized holidays can take care of both individual and group preferences and allow you to make the most out of your trip.

Kumaoni food is simple and nutritious and helps you adapt to the harsh Himalayan climate. Pulses like gehet are used to makes preparations like ras-bhaat, chains, faanda and thatwaani. Uttarakhand is normally safe for tourists but the mountain roads and taxi rides in the hills are a little risky.

For the spiritually inclined, Uttarakhand has many shrines, including some very important ones like Badrinath, located near the Alaknanda river, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. For wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers, the Rajaji National Park is a great choice. This place is located around 208 km from Delhi and around 9 km from Haridwar. It remains open from November to June for tourists. You can book a jungle safari for a wonderful experience in the wild.

Many thrilling adventures await you at Uttarakhand, ready to be explored with friends, family, or someone special.