Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Mukteshwar — Koch's microscope and the 1900 cold room
The Indian Veterinary Research Institute campus at Mukteshwar: the laboratory moved here in 1893, the museum with Koch's microscope and the 1900 cold room.
Uttarakhand⛰ 2,171 m1 itineraries
Mukteshwar
Mukteshwar at about 2,171 m in Nainital district: the Shiva temple, the Chauli Ki Jali cliffs, the veterinary institute, monthly weather and road times.
Itineraries you can copy
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Mukteshwar is a village and hill stop in Nainital district at about 2,171 m in the Kumaon hills, about 51 km from Nainital by Wikipedia's account. It takes its name from a Shiva temple said to be about 350 years old, and Wikipedia says the town was known for its shrines until 1893, when the veterinary laboratory moved here to make serum against cattle plague. Jim Corbett wrote about the place.
The sights are close together on the ridge. The Mukteshwar Mahadev Temple stands at the highest point, the Chauli Ki Jali cliffs are used for rock climbing and rappelling, and the Indian Veterinary Research Institute has a museum and a cold room carved into the hill. Wikipedia counts views of 22 snow peaks, among them Nanda Devi.
The monsoon, from July to September, brings most of the 1,286 mm of yearly rain, and snow is occasional in December and January. Read when to visit, how to reach Mukteshwar and things to do in Mukteshwar, and copy the one-day plan.
Photos: ArmouredCyborg (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Vipinvasudeva (CC BY-SA 4.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.
Places worth the drive
Chauli Ki Jali — the cliffs for climbing and valley views
Chauli Ki Jali, the overhanging cliffs next to the Mukteshwar temple: used for rock climbing and rappelling, with views over the Kumaon valleys.
Mukteshwar Mahadev Temple — the Shiva shrine that names the town
The Mukteshwar Mahadev Temple, a Shiva shrine said to be about 350 years old at the highest point of Mukteshwar, with the cliffs and institute nearby.
On the map
Open the Mukteshwar map →The places a Mukteshwar day reaches, with the road time from town. Each opens on the map with its plans and pages beside it.
Before you go
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Things to do in Mukteshwar — the temple, the cliffs and a slow ridge walk
Things to do in Mukteshwar: the Shiva temple, Chauli Ki Jali climbing cliffs, the veterinary institute museum, sunrise views, ridge walks and nearby trails.
How to reach Mukteshwar — road times from Kathgodam, Nainital and Delhi
How to reach Mukteshwar: measured road distances and drive times from Kathgodam, Nainital, Almora and Delhi, the railhead, the airport and local transport.
Best time to visit Mukteshwar — monsoon, snow and clear months
When to visit Mukteshwar: month-by-month temperatures and rain from Wikipedia's table, a heavy monsoon from July to September and occasional snow in winter.
Nearby destinations
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Questions people ask
How far is Mukteshwar from Nainital?
About 51 km by Wikipedia's account, and about 50 km and 107 minutes by road on our routing from Nainital. The mountain road is slow, so allow more than the distance suggests, especially in the monsoon. Delhi is about 334 km and 325 minutes away on the same routing, and Kathgodam about 60 km.
What is Mukteshwar known for?
A Shiva temple said to be about 350 years old, the Chauli Ki Jali cliffs used for rock climbing and rappelling, and the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, whose museum holds a microscope used by Robert Koch. Wikipedia also says Jim Corbett wrote about the place. It is small, quiet and best seen on foot.
Does it snow in Mukteshwar?
Occasionally, in December and January, though Wikipedia says the snowfall is sparse. January's average high is 12.1 °C and low 1.7 °C in its table, so temperatures below freezing are not unusual. The monsoon, from July to September, brings the heaviest rain; check the road before you drive up.
Photographs by Wikimedia Commons contributors (CC0, CC BY, CC BY-SA), resized; each picture is credited on its own page.