Mystique Mukteshwar: Nature’s paradise

THIS sleepy and quaint hill station reminded me of the legendary hunter and author Jim Corbett who was invited to get rid of the man eating tiger at Mukteshwar. Temple tiger, as the man eater was dubbed, brought alive the scenic beauty of the place. Jim Corbett gave us a graphic description of this scenic spot. So, when I paid a visit to Nainital, in the month of Feb-March, I couldn’t resist my temptation to feel the fragrance of this hill station.    
Nestled in the lap of Kumaon Hills at an altitude...
of 2286 meters (7500 feet), 51 km from Nainital, Mukteshwar is a picturesque tourist spot.
Once our driver parked the car near the Mukteshwar Temple of Lord Shiva, we hired a guide, who took us to the temple. We walked up in a meandering path. The tract was through a deaodar and oak tree-covered forest.

After paying a visit to the temple, we went to the cliff. Close to the temple lie the overhanging cliffs, locally known as Chauli-ki-Jali. This part is used for rock climbing and rappelling and this gives an excellent view of the valleys below. It is believed that childless women are blessed with child after visiting this jali. Chauli means rocks and jail means a hole. It is a paradise for nature lovers and adventure freaks. Scenic beauty of the place is bound to mesmerize you.  
If thrill excites you and adrenaline rushes on you, there are the wonderful Adventure activities at Chauli Ki Jali as well. You can well try daredevil rock climbing and rappelling at this point.

Chauli ki Jali 
Chauli ki Jali (also known as Chauthi Jali) is a very famous tourist place which is a paradise for all the adventurous souls in Mukteshwar. From the edge of the cliff present at Chauli ki Jali, you can watch picturesque views of the great Himalayan range and Kumaon valley. This place is quite peaceful and one can enjoy doing rock climbing here.
As per legends, it is believed that a Goddess and Demon fought a battle in this place and there are trunk of an elephant, a shield and a faint outlines of a sword which stands as the testament of the battle.

The evidence for the same can be seen in the form of a shield, a trunk of the elephant and outlines of a sword which are engraved at the site. The place is frequently thronged by tourist and devotees as it is believed that women are blessed with children if they touch these lattices.
The sunrise point is at the government-run PWD guest house. One can also visit the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI). Mukteshwar is the abode of a saint — Shri Mukteshwar Maharaj ji — who lived at the Top Cottage Temple where his samadhi is.
One of his disciples, Swami Sanshudhanand ji, now stays there. The whole temple complex is a Tapovan and an ideal place for meditation. Mukteshwar temple was built by a Pandiya king from the Tamil kingdom during 15th century.
Air gushing through deodar forests, bird watching, meditation, and seeking peace and lot more. Mukteshwar has them all for a visitor. You feel totally rejuvenated after spending some quality time here.

Mukteshwar until 1893 was known for its shrines and temple before it was selected for serum production to protect animals from cattle plague. Following recommendation by the Cattle Plague Commission, the Imperial Bacteriological Laboratory had its genesis on 9 December 1889 at Pune and relocated to Mukteshwar in 1893 to facilitate segregation and quarantine of highly contagious organisms. Initially the laboratory at Mukteshwar was completed in 1898 but destroyed by fire in 1899.

Corbett’s graphic description of Mukteshwar’s man eating tiger and its locations brought the place back into its pristine beauty.
Famous Nainital Myths That You Don’t Want to Miss
According to Hindu mythology the Nainital was known as Tririshi Sarovar (lake of three sages) in early ages and this has been referred in the Manas Kand of Skand Puran.
According to Skand Puran, these three sages (rishi) named as Atri, Pulaha and Pulastya, meditated at that time and dug a big hole and later on that hole got filled by water and that give the birth to Nainital.
Second myth is about the Naini Devi Temple, which has tremendous importance for the Hindu religion. According to a myth when Lord Shiva was making his celestial journey with the charred body of Devi Sati, Lord Narayan decided to throw his Sudarshan Chakra on the charred body of Devi Sati and that results into 64 pieces of Devi Sati’s body every part fell on earth and results into Shakti Peeth. It is believed that the eyes of Devi Sati fell here and that gives the name of Nainital to this place.

Third myth is that the place has created after the hard worship (tapasya) of Lord Brahma, a small temple dedicated to Lord Brahma is located near KMVN house, the locals says that if anyone completes the parikrama of the lake has been blessed by Lord Brahma.
Fourth myth is that if someone is able to see all the nine corners at one shot will attain Nirvana means freedom from the cycle of birth and death, but no one has been able to do that till the date according to locals, if anyone tries to do that and get succeed will perish in the clouds and conquer Nirvana.
Fifth myth is a modern one as we all know that the place has been discovered by a British named Mr. P. Barron but some says that it was first discovered by another British named GW Traill, he discovered it before P Barron but he left it as it was because he believed at that time that this place is a holy place.
Legends say that a group of pilgrims moving towards Mount Kailash and Mansarovar climbed up to this point and prayed to God Shiva to help them complete their mission. Shiva appeared before them and blessed their leader with extra powers. God then asked him to hit the hard rock four times. Such was the power that it made the hole in the rock. Locals believed that women who have trouble conceiving get the mercy and showers of the Lord if they put their head in the hole.
Mukteshwar derives its name from an 350-year-old temple of Shiva, known as Mukteshwar Dham, situated atop the highest point in the town, on the veterinary institute's campus. Close to it 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). Mukteshwar is the abode of a saint — Shri Mukteshwar Maharaj ji — who lived at the Top Cottage Temple where his samadhi is. One of his disciples, Swami Sanshudhanand ji, now stays there. The whole temple complex is a Tapovan and an ideal place for meditation. Mukteshwar temple was built by a pandiya king from the Tamil kingdom during 15th century. This can be confirmed by local guides who have been living there for generations.
Love Point at Mukteshwar
The major attractions of this sleepy 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 famous for the Imperial Bacteriological Laboratory apart from the mystic beauty. Initially the laboratory at Mukteshwar was completed in 1898 but destroyed by fire in 1899. Later it was developed into the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI).
Famous saviour of horror-stricken people from man-eating tigers and writer Jim Corbett visited Mukteshwar. He wrote of Mukteshwar in Man-Eaters of Kumaon. Corbett wrote graphic and thrilling accounts of his experiences in the jungle of Mukteshwar. He talked about the Post Office and the Guest House here.
Mukteshwar has an average elevation of 2,286 metres (7,500 feet) and is situated 51 km from Nainital. Its rich scenic beauty, with magnificent views of the Indian Himalayas including India's second-highest peak, Nanda Devi. Because of the hilly topography, agriculture in the area consists chiefly of potato fields and fruit orchards on terraces cut into the hillsides.
Mukteshwar has a subtropical highland climate. 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.