If you are getting bored of repeated visit to Kasol and Manali during your vacations, this small peaceful holiday location located 50 Kilometers from Nainital and 340 Kilometers from Delhi is one of the best weekend gateway for people in Delhi who are looking for a peaceful place with fresh air in mountains away from city or touristy Places.
Being part of Uttrakhand(Land of God’s), this place is not just a tourist destination surrounded by hills but it has some mythological stories to excite you as well. There is an old legend which suggests once upon a time there was a big battle between Lord Shiva and a very powerful devil, who was about to rule over the world. The devil got Mukti(immortality) after getting defeated and killed by Shiva and from that time this place was named as Muktesar which later changed to Mukteshwar.
.
But the beautiful hill station of Mukteshwar got recognization after the visit of famous author Jim Corbett who mentioned Mukteshwar in his book “Man-Eaters of Kumaon” (1944) about his experience in the jungles of Mukteshwar during his exploration visit. Mukteshwar is still the home to a large number of leopard, the fear can be seen in local people who don’t prefer to go outside in dark jungle at night.
.
Not only Mukteshwar but one hour journey from Mukteshwar (40km) is another beautiful village of “Kasar Devi” which was part of hippie trails in 60-70. The legendary artist like Bob Dylan, George Harrison and Cat Stevens, Western Buddhist Robert Thurman, and writer D. H. Lawrence in 60-70s.
How to Reach Mukteshwar
By Train:
* Delhi to Kathgodam (overnight journey)
* From Kathgodam, there are only two buses which go to Mukteshwar (one in morning and one in evening) but you can always get a shared taxi. In case you don’t find a shared taxi directly to Mukteshwar, you can take a taxi to “Bhowali” from where you will get taxi to Mukteshwar very frequently
By Bus: One can get direct bus from Delhi to Mukteshwar
Things to do in Mukteshwar
1) Visit the sunset point and get mesmerized by the amazing view of Valley with colorful sky.
2)Spend a perfect afternoon at Bhalugaad waterfall – 7 kilometers away from Mukteshwar town
3) Visit famous Mukteshwar temple
4) Staying in Mukteshwar Resort with good view
Mukteshwar is famous for the resorts and it will be hard to find a cheap hotel so I would suggest staying in WAYWOODWINDLODGE which is in one of the most comfortable, luxurious and yet affordable places with a sunrise view from room window itself.
WAYWOODWINDLODGEBreakfast at WAYWOODWINDLODGE
5) A walk around the jungle in Afternoon
6) Visit Kasar Devi via Sitla Estate area to get mesmerizing view of mountains
Mountain view from Sitala forestSunset in Almora on way to Kasar DeviSomewhere on road in Sitala forest
Last but not the least, after visiting Mukteshwar you will realize the meaning of an old saying by Sir Richard Burton
“The gladdest moment in human life, me thinks, is a departure into unknown lands.”
I am Deepak Chauhan, traveler, photographer, rider and a TEDX speaker from Haridwar, India. I started traveling on a motorcycle by coincidence when my friend(Bhishma) asked me for a short Trip from Mumbai to Goa On a Motorcycle and he didn't know how to ride one. We started on his motorcycle for a weekend trip and ended up traveling 46000+km across India in 500+days on a Royal Enfield. During this trip, I quit my job but kept traveling on people generosity. After my India tour, I started a crowdfunding campaign for Europe Trip and Traveled 16,000 Km across 18 European countries on a 25-year-old motorcycle using the Crowdfunded money. I saved some money (using Couch surfing )during my Europe trip.
I got sponsored by Castrol Biking for traveling across south east asia. I have traveled across south east Asia for 6 months
Thank you for checking out my blog and spending your precious time in exploring my vision
.
All my images are All Rights Reserved. They should not be reproduced in any way, and unauthorized use is strictly prohibited. If you wish to use any of my images please contact me ( dkchauhan2k7@gmail.com)
Regards,
Deepak Kumar Chauhan(aka DK)
View all posts by lonelyindia
One thought on “Mukteshwar – Offbeat weekend gateway near Delhi”
Wonderful post. This blog has an amazing information about the destination places of Delhi beautiful visiting spot and captures very impressive photos.
Wonderful post. This blog has an amazing information about the destination places of Delhi beautiful visiting spot and captures very impressive photos.
LikeLike