MUKTESHWAR

MUKTESHWAR Distt. Nainital, Uttarakhand 330 km from New Delhi, Mukteshwar itself was 'put on the map' by the establishment of the Indian Veterinary Research Institute in 1898, which owns much of the land around the little town, including acres of dense virgin forest, home to langur and rhesus monkeys, deer, a host of bird species and where - if you're lucky, and patient enough - you may even catch a glimpse of a mountain leopard, Himalayan black bear or wild boar. Exploring the nearby forests is a delight that defies all description. A short trek into these undisturbed areas unfold nature in its pristine beauty. Here small streams of crystal clear water, green meadows & water falls seem to emerge straight out of picture postcards.

Shiva, 7120 m/ 23282 ft), Nandadevi (Goddess of Bliss, 7817 m /25562 ft), and the majestic Panchhuli peaks. On a clear day, the peaks of Api and Nampa are also visible, over in Nepal. The view at sunrise from the small hilltop opposite the resort is breathtaking, and will stay a treasured memory, long after you have left. The town's name derives from two Sanskrit words: 'mukti' meaning eternal life and 'ishwar' another term for god, and refers to an ancient legend in which a demon battles with Shiva, one of the three main gods of the Hindu pantheon, and, though the demon is defeated, he attains immortality. The small century-old Shiva temple, perched on an outcrop above the sleepy town, is a delightful place - serene, tranquil - from where you can look out across the magnificent valley spread hundreds of feet below. Nearby is Chauthi Jali a vertiginous outcrop of rocks, and a great place for spotting eagles and other birds of prey as they circle the thermals. There is also picturesque little church perched on the side of the hill, which is seventy-five years old, and a PWD guest house with the famous hunter and writer Jim Corbett often stayed. Mukteshwar and in surroundings has nearly 200 species of birds, 15 varieties of fruits and over 75 varieties of flowers & 18 species of mammals.