EMBRACING THE HEIGHTS, ENDURING THE LOWS
THE WOW “HILLS”, WIL GIVE YOU JOY IN GROSS
Just about 350 kilometers from Delhi, Mukteshwar Dham in the Kumaon hills, is an ancient and beautiful hill top of Uttarakhand. You might have been known to Haldwani, Kathgodam and Nainital, but many must have surely missed this place! Perhaps I stand with you in the same list! So, with being fervent and passionate, here we go directly to Mukteshwar. It is about 10 o’clock in the morning, we came out of Delhi and taking up a route map of Moradabad-Haldwani-Kathgodam-Bhimtal reached Mukteshwar at around six in the evening.
From here, Almora, Binsar and Nainital are nearby. You can also enjoy boating at Bhimtal, while stepping up to or coming down from Mukteshwar. If you are a raw hill lover, this place is definitely not going to disappoint you.
BATH IN DIVINITY WITH THE CHILL BREEZES
I can say evening could be the best time for you to land in Mukteshwar! Your eyes shall penetrate through the dusk and see the breath taking hills. Situated at 1700 ft., Mukteshwar here it is! The place will never ditch you as it stands exactly beautiful as you might have heard or read earlier! This Cold weather, these chilly-chill breezes and the greenery spread all around. What kept us more astonished were the landscapes of the next morning hues; the weather absolutely clear and the peaks of the Himalayan mountains visible in front of Nilkanth, Nanda Devi, Trishul; you are, surely, about to get hypnotized!
TALE OF THE “MAN EATERS”..
It was in early 80’s when a British hunter killed six dangerous tigers of Kumaon, including Champawat Tiger and Panar Cheeta, who were responsible for killing hundreds of residents of this area. The famous bungalow was the place to rest for Jim Corbett. From here he used to plan to kill the dangerous tigers of Kumaon. The kettle used by the hunter can still be seen in this bunglow. The novel “Man Eaters of Kumaon” written by the same famous British hunter “Jim Corbett” has made Mukteshwar very popular. While reading about Mukteshwar in the book you will feel the entire tale to be so live that alike me you too would be compelled to plan a trip atleast once!
WHO WOULD ATTRACT YOU?
In fact, Mukteshwar’s Jungles are a home to monkeys, “langur”, “jabbar”, deer, rare mountain birds, mountain leopards and Himalayan black bears. Birds such as Himalayan Rubythroat, white chromatic laughing birds, red beaked lothric and black-winged moths remain a big attraction for the tourists.Trust me you might feel blessed to see Himalayan mountain quail. Apart from this, the adventure sports are again a must to do! So keep yourself ready for rock climbing and rapling?
UNDIVIDED SERINITY, OF THE HOLY TRINITY
As soon as we got up in the morning, we found out that there is a temple of Lord Shiva on the hill, where devotees across the country pay their visit. To reach this temple, we climbed about 100 stairs but felt worth-while as the beautiful temple also has the idols of Brahma, Vishnu, Parvati, Hanuman and Nandi Ji, besides the divine Lord Shiva.
FEW MYTHS, SOME HOPES
At some distance, there is a stack of straws in the rocks near the temple. Known also as ‘Chauthi ki Jali’, this place can be reached by climbing the mountain a little. It is believed that there was a war between the Goddess and the monster here. It is a mountain peak, which has a round hole on the top rock. It is said that if an unfertile lady gets out of this hole, she gets blessed with a child. But the beautiful scenes of the valley will please you more.Between what we heard and what we saw, we were completely lost in the unique form of nature.
THEY STILL SPEAK
Another place that was the subject of curiosity for us was the Indian Veterinary Research Institute located here, where a wide variety of research is conducted on animals. Built in 1893, this institution is quite old. There is also a museum and library where animal research related tools and things have been preserved.
BEAUTY LIES IN BEING GROUNDED
Nathu Khan, a beautiful village is located in the hills of Kumaon. Being a door to panoramic view of the Himalayan valleys, the area is dominated by oak, pine, and the trees of the calf and also small village houses that enhance its beauty. It would serve you with natural excursions as is a trekking hub. Another popular tourist destination is the ancient “Rajarani” temple. This temple was built in the 11th century and endorses a beautiful statue of “Rajarani Stone”. The Brahmeshwar Temple is a major religious place, which was constructed in 1050. Both the destinations remind us of our ancient grounds!
Thus, make a three-day plan to roam this place and lose yourself in the panorama of picturesque Mukteshwar!