Fresh!

Mukteshwar, high up in the Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand, is a quiet town, where the air is pure, the vista heavenly, tourists scanty and the choice to do much or nothing at all.

- Sugato Tripathy

There is something elemental about the mountains which takes us into another world, where you let go of reality and experience a sublime moment of euphoria. Seeing the mighty Himalaya up close brings on a moment of what the French call a coup de foudre. You don’t have to trek for days or drive through dangerous terrain to see magnificent peaks. Mukteshwar, a sleepy town in west Uttarakhand, is less than 60 km from the nearest railhead and offers close and unmediated views of the majestic Himalayan range including the second highest peak of India—Nanda Devi.

Spectacular Views

Surrounded by lush vegetation of coniferous and deciduous forests, Mukteshwar is perched high in the Kumaon hills at an altitude of 7,500 ft above sea level. With less than 300 families residing in this obscure hill station, there are hardly any traffic snarls even in the small market area. Layers of snow on the terraced farm fields look like decorated white sheets on the mountain slopes. The horizon of Mukteshwar is stunning. The magnificent Nanda Devi range and the Panchachuli group of snow-covered peaks present themselves in full glory. A dream destination for photographers, the small town also witnesses glorious twilights with crimson and maroon streaks spattered across the evening sky. With almost negligible pollution levels, such views are not rare in Mukteshwar, especially during winter. Nanda Devi, Nanda Khat, Nanda Kot, Hathi Parvat, Nandaghunti, Trishul, Rajrambha and Panchachuli are the major peaks visible from Mukteshwar. The affinity for this place grows stronger when you walk around. The lonely roads, the magnificent views, the colourful mountain homes, the blissful solitude, the towering trees and the crisp mountain air give a profound insight into the deep raw harmony we share with nature.

Shiva’s Land