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As per Hindu mythology, Mukteshwar was named when Lord Shiva fought a fierce battle with a demon and granted him immortality or ‘mukit’ if you call it. Therefore, mukti+ishwar became Mukteshwar. Even today, Mukteshwar's natural beauty continues to stay unharmed and unpolluted and all you can see is unmatched natural beauty of the Himalayas all around.
The city itself has a lot to offer; you start your day with walks in the woods and the sound of birds chirping and sun rays kissing the cliff and with the
accommodation options growing in the area, Mukteshwar has become the perfect spot for having a second home, away from the city chaos. Mukteshwar is lesser known for sure but is a gem of a city. It has all sorts of adventure activities, food preferences and a whole lot of history to look up to.
So, if you are in the city and you are big fans of site seeing. I am here to help you with the sites you can’t miss to visit every time you are in Mukteshwar. Here are top 3 of them
Mukteshwar Temple
The Mukteshwar Temple is situated at the hilltop in Mukteshwar and just 1km away from the local market of Nainital. Mukteshwar Temple is an ancient Hindu temple devoted to Lord Shiva.
The 350-year-old Shiva temple is responsible for the town of Mukteshwar's name. This hill temple is situated at a height of 2,312 meters above sea level and provides a captivating
perspective of the fantastical surroundings.
When you are at the temple beside the astonishing beauty of the area you will find Lord Brahma and Lord Vishnu’s idols kept in the shrine along with Shiva linga made of white marble. Mukesteshwar temple is considered as one of the most prominent place of worship as it is one out of 18 most valuable Shiva temples.
Bhalu Gaad Waterfalls
Bhalu Gaad, a hidden gem near Mukteshwar, is perfect for day hikes and shouldn't be overlooked. To reach Dhari Village, where the hike begins, take a 7 kilometre drive from Mukteshwar. A lovely 30- to 45-minute stroll takes you via thick forests and mountain streams.
It's a thrilling unpaved trip, and if you're unsure of yourself, you can accompany someone from the community who can lead you to the falls. It's a haven for those who enjoy the outdoors and bird watching. The falls, which are roughly 60 feet high and fall into a pool of naturally clean water, a spare set of clothes should be brought so that you can enjoy yourself. In Kumaoni, Bhalu and Gaad respectively denote bear and stream.
Due to reports of bears (Bhalu) sightings in the vicinity, it was given this name. Although not many tourists visit this location, if you go on the weekend, you could see a lot of locals. But what is most amazing about the site is the rainbow that emerges at the bottom of the waterfall because of which locals now also call it, The Rainbow Falls.
Chauli Ki Jali
Chauli Ki Jali, also known as Chauthi Jali, is a tourist attraction located behind the Mukteshwar temple cliff. It is located 250 meters away from the Mukteshwar temple. The words Chauli and Jali mean rock and hole, respectively. While most of the people visit this place with an adrenaline rush for rock climbing, it is also a beautiful spot for sightseeing.
The place is a heaven for all the nature lovers because of the purity and unpolluted environment of the place. One gets the alluring view of the Kumaon Valley and the Himalayan range from the edge of the hill. Beside the adventurous nature of the place it also has its own religious significance.
It’s known that the battle between the Lord Shiva and the demon took place at that very place and there is a shield, and elephant trunk and outlines of sword which serves as reminder of the battle. Not just this, it is also said that if during Shivratri, a barren women crosses the hole at Chauli ki Jali, she is then blessed with a child.