Mukteshwar

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Mukteshwar with Himalayas in background -- Nanda Devi and Nanda Devi East on right
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Mukteshwar with Himalayas in background -- Nanda Devi and Nanda Devi East on right

Mukteshwar is a town and tourist destination in the Nainital District of Uttaranchal, India, located at 29°30′00″N, 79°42′00″E. It sits high in the Kumaon Hills at an altitude of 2286 meters (7500 feet).

On the recommendation of the Cattle Plague Commission, the Institute then known as the Imperial Bacteriological Laboratory had its genesis on December 9, 1889 at Pune and later relocated to Mukteshwar in 1893 to facilitate segregation and quarantine of highly contagious organisms. Later it was developed into the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, which later moved its headquarters to Izzatnagar. Still Mukteshwar serves as the hill campus of IVRI, including various facilities such as an experimental goat farm.

Because of the hilly topography, agriculture in the area consists chiefly of potato fields and fruit orchards on terraces cut into the hillsides.

Mukteshwar is rich in scenic beauty, with magnificent views of the Indian Himalayas including India's highest peak, Nanda Devi.

Recently, the town is experiencing some construction activity and townships are mushrooming in and around Mukteshwar. Many people are buying holiday homes here to escape the chaos of large cities.