Mukteshwar

Mukteshwar Dham | Nainital

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.

Mukteshwar is an alluring destination in the Nainital district of the state of Uttarakhand. The town is named after a three hundred and fifty year old temple, ‘Mukteshwer Dham’. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed that Lord Shiva killed a demon at the top of the mountain where the temple stands and he granted him salvation or mukti. Mukteshwar Temple stands offers bewildering 180 degree view of the imperial and glorious Himalayan range. It was developed by the British as research and education institute (IVRI) in 1893. Perched atop a hill in a remote corner of Kumaon hills, Mukteshwar is bounded by fruit orchards and coniferous forests.

The beauty of Mukteshwer is unpolluted and unaffected till date and accommodation are growing day by day. The untouched and pristine beauty of Mukteshwer has a lot to offer to the travelers who come here in search of tranquility and peace. Jim Corbett, the world renowned hunter and environmentalist came to shoot a tiger here and fell in love with its natural magnificence.

Mukteshwar Temple, Hindu temple located on a hilltop in Mukteshwar, is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is situated only 1 km away from main market in Nainital district of Uttarakhand. Mukteshwar is well connected by motorable roads with major destinations of Kumaon & Garhwal. Buses to the nearest cities like Haldwani, Nainital and Almora are easily available from ISBT Anand Vihar Delhi, from where taxis and buses are available up to Mukteshwer.

The Mukteshwer town has derived its name from this 350 years old Shiva temple. This temple also houses the idols of Lord Brahma and Vishnu. The Shiva linga is made out of white marble with a copper yoni is enshrined in the temple compound. The Mukteshwer temple is believed to be one among the 18 important Shiva temples. The Hindu devotees hold immense faith and devotion towards the temple.This hill temple is nestled at an altitude of 2,312 metres above sea level. It offers 180 degree view of the mountainous terrain of the heavenly Himalayas.

Chauli Ki Jaali, located at a mere distance 250 meters away from the entrance of Mukteshwer temple, is also known as Chauthi Jali. It is a visitor’s attraction that located behind the cliff of Mukteshwer temple. As the name suggests, ‘Chauli’ means rock and ‘Jali’ means hole. According to Hindu mythology, the goddess and demon had a fierce battle at this place.

There is a trunk of an elephant, a shield and indenite outlines of a sword, which serves as the testament of the battle. It is believed that if a barren woman crosses the hole of Chauli Ki Jali during Shivaratri, then she is blessed with a child. The place is a haven for nature lovers and adventure seekers. The place offers umpteen opportunities for sightseeing and adventurous activities such as rock climbing. The Kumaon valley can also be witnessed here in its full glory and pride.

Mukteshwar is popular for adventure activities like rock climbing, paragliding and rappelling. The overhanging cliffs situated near Mukteshwar, known as ‘Chauli-ki-Jali’ is a popular spot for rock climbing. Mukteshwar offers variety of options for trekking. There are many trekking trails in and around Mukteshwar; one can trek from Peora to Mukteshwar or Peora to Almora as well as Binsar to Artola. Camping is another good activity to spend time with your family and friends. It is an ideal place for picnic and get-togethers. The deodar trees make it a naturally rich environ for nature enthusiasts.

How To Reach Mukteshwar/Chauli Ki Jali :-

Mukteshwar is well connected by motorable roads with major destinations of Kumaon & Garhwal. Buses to the nearest cities like Haldwani, Nainital and Almora are easily available from ISBT Anand Vihar Delhi, from where taxis and buses are available up to Mukteshwar.