Mukteshwar is located at an altitude (higher than Nainital) of 2315 meters or 7500 feet. It is situated in mountains of Nainital district perched on the top of Kumaon Hill, rendering the most stunning view of the 380 km range of Great Himalayas.

 

From here, the sun can be seen rising over the peaks of Nepal and setting over the far end of an uncluttered panorama. The hamlet's name Mukteshwar 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, and though the demon is defeated, he attains immortality.

 

Mukteshwar is spread over 30 sq kms area, this also comprises of Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) controlled Oak and Rhododendron reserved forest. IVRI was relocated to Mukteshwar from Pune by Britishers in 1880. It has one of the oldest and richest libraries in the world with a special focus on nature, vet and environment. Many of these books are extremely rare.

 

The original Imperial Bacteriological Laboratory was housed in the College of Science at Pune and Dr Alfred Lingard, a distinguished medical bacteriologist was appointed in 1891 as Imperial Bacteriologist. An operational natural refrigerator dug into the rock is still in use here.

 

Mukteshwar is well known as the fruit basket of the entire Uttarakhand region. Here fruits like Apple, Kiwi, Peach, Apricot, Walnuts, Chestnuts, Pear and Plums etc available in abundance. Farming and orchards is the main occupation of people in Mukteshwar region.

 

We have several ashrams like Kainchi Dhaam, Dol Ashram, RamChandra Mission and Somwari Baba Ashram in the vicinity of Mukteshwar.

 

Highly recommended places like Nainital, Jageshwar, Almora, Devidhura, Bhimtal etc are ideal for a day trip from Mukteshwar.