Mukteshwar in Uttarakhand

Mukteshwar is a spectacular hill resort lying at an altitude of 2,286 m above the sea level in the Kumaon division of the state of Uttarakhand in northern India. Located 42 km from Haldwani, 51 km from Nainital and 395 km from Delhi – Mukteshwar is a beautiful destination which must be visited while holidaying at Uttaranchal. A tour to Mukteshwar will essentially feature an idyllic holiday at this secluded retreat endowed with pleasant weather and breathtaking views of the mighty Himalayas.

Associated with a legend of Lord Shiva who gifted immortality or “mukti” to a demon that he slew, Mukteshwar was a quiet mountain hamlet surrounded by fruit orchards and dense coniferous forests. The place gained prominence when the British developed the Indian Veterinary Research Institute here in 1893. Today, the land is a celebrated scenic destination, overlooking the snow-capped Himalayas.



While on tour to Mukteshwar, enjoy scenic vistas of the Himalayan peaks of the 6596m-high Neelkantha (Blue-throated Shiva), the 7120m Trishul (Shiva’s Trident), the 7817m Nanadadevi (Goddess of Bliss), 6310m Nanadaghunti (the Veil of the Goddess), and the Panchuli Group.


The Mukteshwar Temple lying atop a rock and dedicated to Lord Shiva is another important site on Tour to Mukteshwar. Located at an altitude of 2,315 m, the temple houses a lingam made of white marble and the main shrine can be reached by stone stairs.

Another destination worth visit is the Chauthi Jali – the site marked by rocks jutting out from the hill face at a bizarre angle. This place offers amazing views of eagles and other scavenger birds swooping down on prey.

Your tour to Mukteshwar may also introduce you to some enchanting wildlife like Rhesus monkeys and langurs, deer and birds, and some rare mountain leopard and Himalayan black bear.

How to Reach
Mukteshwar lies at about 350 km from Delhi, from where it can be reached by a drive of about 8-9 hours via Nainital. The nearest rail station is at Kathgodam - about 72 km away, from where buses and taxis can be availed to reach Mukteshwar.

laces of Interest :

Mukteshwar Temple :The Mukteshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is situated at an altitude of 2,315 m above sea level and is accessible by stone stairs. It has a marvelloous Shivlinga all in white marble. The idols of other God and Goddess Brahma, Vishnu, Parvati, Ganesh, Nandi and Hanuman surround the Shivlinga.

Chauti Jaali: Near to Mukteshwar temple is Chauti Jaali, a natural latticework on the rock. There is a belief that women who cannot conceive are blessed with a child after touching this jaali.

Indian Veterinary Institute: Established in 1898, Indian Veterinary Institute comprises of a large campus with various departments like Research, Animal Nutrition, Genetics and Bacteriology.

Methodist Church: The Church lies on the narrow path that has been cut in rock and polished over the years by the people who walk over this place to visit the church. The church is homely keeping in line with the old colonial structures around the city.

Sitla 5 K from Mukteshwar Sitla Estate is located at a height of 7000 ft in the Kumoun region of the Himalayas Spread over 39 acres consisting of dense oak and pine trees, it has a British stone bungalow of over hundred years old, To have an enchanting view of the beautiful and reverberating majestic scenes of Himalayas, tourists come in the midst of verdant orchards in the Kumaon area close to Mukteshwar,many resort and hotel are avaliable in Sitla.

General Info :

Altitude :	2,315 m above sea level
Temperature	Maximum 27 Degree Minium 10 Degree
Distance :	Delhi 350 kms, Haldwani 60 Km ,Nainital 45 Kms
Established	i1898 by the Britishers as research and education institute

Uttarakhand govt suspends 83 teachers

STAFF WRITER 19:16 HRS IST

Dehra Dun, Jun 5 (PTI) The Uttarakhand government has suspended 83 teachers for remaining out of the schools on unauthorised leave for long time, official sources said today.

Teachers suspended were posted in schools in districts of Paudi, Chamoli, Dehra Dun, Tehri, Haridwar, Rudraprayag and Uttarakashi, the sources said.

The erring teachers were served repeated notices but they did not reply to them, the sources added.

NTPC has small hydro plant plans

Chamoli,
Chamoli, Uttarakhand: National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), India's largest power generating company, is looking at expanding hydro-power capacity by commissioning small projects that require minimum displacement of people and can be completed in 5-8 years.

"Big hydro projects in India have faced a lot of problem in the past. That is why we want to expand our hydro footprint by small projects. We are using tunnel boring machine in our 520 mw Tapovan Vishnugad project that is a first of its kind technology in India, a senior company official said.

NTPC is developing four hydro power projects in Uttrakhand which will produce over 1,500 mw electricity by 2017. While Loharinag Pala will produce 600 mw, LATA Tapovan and Rupsia Bhagar Bara will produce 171 mw and 261 mw respectively. The power producer is also developing an 800 mw Koldam hydro project in Himachal Pradesh.

While the company is ahead of schedule for its Tapovan Vishnugad project and is likely to start production before the announced commissioning date of 2012, land has been acquired for Lata Tapovan project and the process is underway for the Rupsia Bhagar Khasia Bara project.

"We are involving locals in all our power projects and have provided jobs to all project affected people," the official said.

The company currently generates 30,000 mw and plans to increase it to 50,000 mw by 2017. "NTPC is a major player in thermal power production, but now we want to be a major player in hydro power as well," the official said. Uttarakhand has an installed power generation capacity of over 2,800 mw. Other than NTPC, companies such as GVK industries and Jaiprakash Power Ventures Ltd are present in the state with their hydro-power projects.

Soruce:http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report_ntpc-has-small-hydro-plant-plans_1295705

Heavy rains claim 10 lives in Uttarakhand

Heavy rains claim 10 lives in Uttarakhand

Dehra Dun (PTI) At least 10 people, including two Hemkund pilgrims, were killed in heavy rains and landslides in Uttarakhand that have also disrupted the Gangotri yatra.

Two pilgrims returning from Hemkund Sahib in Chamoli district died when landslides hit Rishikesh-Badrinath Highway yesterday, police said on Friday.

They have been identified as Amarjit Singh and Sona Singh from Muktsar area of Punjab.
In another incident, three persons were killed when their car fell into the Ganga river at Pali Pani area after a portion of the road caved in on the Rishikesh-Badrinath Highway.

Three members of a family were among four killed when a heavy boulder fell on their car yesterday near Kaladhungi area in Kumoan region.

One person identified as Rais was washed away in the Kolhu river on Haridwar-Bijnor Highway.
Heavy rains continued to lash Uttarakhand today, triggering landslides at several places.

Hundreds of pilgrims were stranded at the Gangotri shrine after landslides hit Sukhitop area on the Uttarkashi-Gangotri Highway last evening. Efforts are on to clear the debris.
Source: http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/002200806201340.htm