Nainital Uttarakhand
Nainital is a famous hill town in the Kumaon district, Uttarakhand, and is situated in the lush green foothills of the Himalayas. Adventure, peace, and romance are the different aspects of Nainital tourism that attract thousands of tourists throughout the year. This hill station is blessed with abundant and matchless beauty.
From boating in Naini Lake to enjoying the view of the mountains to exploring the colonial structures, you will enjoy every moment here. Apart from this, there are many tourist attractions that can be visited on the Nainital tour. Some of the places of interest are Snow View Point, Naini Lake, Nainital Zoo, Naina Devi Temple, and Mall Road. There are several accommodation options available around Naini Lake – most offer clear views of the Himalayan peaks in the distance.
History of Nainital
The names of two foreigners are associated with the discovery of the lake in Nainital. One of G. W. Traill, Commissioner of Kumaon and Garhwal, was the first European to sight it in 1823. Nevertheless, the lake had long been known to the shepherds of the surrounding villages and held great reverence as the abode of gods and spirits. G. W. Traill had great respect for the traditions and beliefs of the hill folk. According to his thinking, the crowd would violate the sanctity of the place and the lake, so he kept the exploration of Nainital Lake strictly to himself.
On the other hand, Mr. P. Barron, a European merchant and an avid hunter of the Rosa, near Shahjahanpur, as soon as he had a glimpse of the lake in the jungle, realized its potential as a hill resort and fully developed a Colonization took place. Mr. P. Barron was another European who took a liking to this land. Impressed by the beauty of the sparkling lake, he wrote: “This is by far the best site I’ve seen in 1,500 miles of climbing in the Himalayas”.
The year was 1839. Barron first reached the lake by a trick, a fact mentioned in his book Wanderings in the Himalayas. He knew that there is a huge lake in the middle of Kumaon. He also knew that in order to keep the location a secret, local guides deliberately misled Europeans who wanted to go there. Sure enough, the baron’s guide declared that he had never heard of the lake, to which the baron placed a large stone over the guide’s head and said that unless they managed to find the lake, he will take it. He said that there were reputedly no stones near the lake and that they needed to come to build the house.
Desperate to be relieved of the load, the guide soon confessed that he knew the lake well and that there was no shortage of boulders in the general area. Barron says that other Europeans also resorted to the same trick until Nainital found a place on the map.
On his second visit, Barron got the better of Nar Singh, a local Thokdar (village headman), who claimed the lake and the surrounding hills as his ancestral property. The matter was pending settlement in court. The Baron persuades Nar Singh to accompany him for a ride on the lake in his (Baron’s) private boat, which was a rarity in those days. In the middle of the lake, the baron threatened to scuttle the boat if Nar Singh did not give up his claim, acknowledging the rights of the Honorable Company Bahadur over the disputed land.
Nar Singh had no choice, unlike the others, he could not swim. He wrote to the needy in pencil on a page of a pocketbook provided by Barron. Mission accomplished, Barron immediately applied for a plot of land to build a house on.
Land for this purpose just above the present Nainital Club was allotted on an annual lease of two annas! Here, the barons built Pilgrim Lodge, which was named Pilgrim. The house stands to this day.
The town of Nainital became the summer headquarters of the colonial administration of the province. It was a popular refuge for the inhabitants of the plains.
Being popular with the British, the town developed a British character with several European schools, barracks, a sanatorium, and a racecourse.
MYTHOLOGY ABOUT NAINITAL
Very few people know about the history of Nainital. This region was called “Khasdesh” in ancient times and “Khasis” ruled this region before the birth of Christ.
Once there were many lakes in the Nainital region and it was called the city of 60 lakes or ‘Chakta’. Nainital Lake finds mention in the Manas Khanda (chapter) of the Skanda Purana (scriptures) as Tririshi Sarovar, i.e. the lake of the three rishis (or rishis) Atri, Pulastya, and Pulaha. Legend has it that during their pilgrimage, three sages arrived here, only to find the place without water. Meditating on the sacred and bountiful holy lake of Tibet namely Lake Manasarovar, he dug a pit here. The power of his tapasya (meditation) was so great that the hole was soon filled with water.
According to a legend, King Daksha organized a great ‘Yajna’ but did not invite Parvati and her husband Shiva. Parvati could not tolerate this direct insult, in her great anger Parvati crashed into the ‘Yagya’ ground and jumped into the high flames of the ‘Yagya’ to end her life and later the half-burnt corpse was Received by Lord Shiva himself. His Chakra cut Sati’s body into fifty-one pieces to save the earth from Shiva’s wrath. All those fifty-one places – where the body parts of Sati fell, are called Shaktipeeths.
It is said that the shimmering green water of Naini Lake is a reflection of the emerald green eye of Sati. Most of the locals believe that Sati’s eyes fell into the lake when her body was carried by Lord Shiva to Mount Kailash. Hence, the lake was named ‘Nainital’ or Naini Lake. Later this place became famous by this name.
Best Places To Visit In Nainital
Kainchi Dham
Another religiously significant place in the list of famous places to visit in Nainital, Kainchi Dham was built in 1962 by Neem Karoli Baba, the founder of Hanuman Garhi. A temple and an ashram, Kainchi Dam is surrounded by lush greenery and wonderful hills.
Situated on the banks of a gushing river, the temple is dedicated to Lord Hanuman and is visited by many believers and worshipers on a regular basis. Made famous to the world by a visit by ex-Apple CEO, Steve Jobs, and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg in the 1970s, the temple hosts a huge fair every year on 15 June which is attended by locals and visitors alike.
Naina Devi Temple
Perched atop the Naina Hill near the northern shore of Naini Lake, the Naina Devi Temple is one of the most revered temples in northern India. It is a famous Shakti Peeth of Hinduism and attracts devotees from all over the country. It is believed that this was the place where the eyes of Sati’s corpse fell when Lord Shiva took them away. There is a huge Peepal tree and across it is an idol of Lord Hanuman.
The inner sanctum houses the idols of three deities, Naina Devi (represented by the two eyes in the center), Mata Kali Devi on the left, and Lord Ganesha on the right. The temple organizes a big fair during Nanda Ashtami which lasts for 8 days here. During other holy occasions like Navratri, Chaitra, etc., a large number of devotees visit this holy temple.
Nainital Lake
One of the most beautiful lakes in the country, Nainital Lake is known for its beauty. It is one of the four lakes in the Kumaon hills which include Sattal Lake, Bhimtal Lake, and Naukuchiatal Lake next to Nainital Lake. The famous lake finds are mentioned in ancient texts and many poems by prominent authors.
The Naina Devi temple is situated on this lake, where it is believed that the eyes of Sati fell onto the earth after self-immolation. The lake is surrounded by lush green hills which provide a mesmerizing landscape to the city. Being a natural freshwater lake, all nature lovers find the lake an alluring place to sit, relax and spend some quality time, either by themselves or with their loved ones.
Tiffin Top (Dorothy’s Seat)
One of the popular picnic spots in Nainital, Tiffin Top is a place where you can enjoy spectacular views from the highest point of Nainital. Also called Dorothy’s Seat, it is situated on the Ayarpatta Hills, which offers gorgeous 360-degree views of the Lake District. It was named Dorothy’s Seat by a British Army officer in memory of his wife, Dorothy Kellett, who died of septicemia.
Snow View Point
The most visited tourist place in Nainital is Snow View Point surely the most visited and favorite place by all the people. There is also a temple in the mountain which is worshiped by the residents. When you walk in the cable rope, you can have a spectacular view of Nainital Lake.
The Mall Road
Built during British colonial rule, Mall Road is the primary road that runs through the main part of Nainital city parallel to the lake, connecting the two ends of the city. It has now been renamed Govind Ballabh Pant Marg. The road is one of the liveliest places to visit in Nainital.
Mall Road has many hotels, travel agencies, banks, showrooms, departmental stores, shops, restaurants, and cafes. You will find some of the best hotels and restaurants in Nainital located on Mall Road. It is the busiest and most congested area during the daytime. Parking is restricted during peak season and the road is closed to vehicles so that tourists can easily walk along the banks of the lake on this famous road in Nainital.
Bhimtal Lake
It is a famous lake located in Bhimtal. The reason it is so famous is because of the masonry dam built in 1883, which enabled a good storage facility. Its catchment area is about 17.12 sq km which is quite large. The lake is located in Bhimtal, which is a famous town in Nainital. It is more than 22 km away from Nainital.
Sattal
As the name suggests, Sattal is a group of 7 freshwater lakes in the lower Himalayan region. This place is near Bhimtal which is a popular town in the Nainital district. As the pollution level has increased in recent times, Sattal is one of the few unspoiled and uncontaminated freshwater biomes of our country.
Jeolikote
A quaint hill station within Nainital, Jeolikot is one of the most peaceful places to visit in Nainital for those who want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and relax. Commonly known as the ‘Gateway to Naini Lake’, this area serves as a pitstop for tourists heading towards Nainital but is a good stopover if you want to explore the surrounding areas.
Especially during the hot, strong northern summers, Jeolikot offers stunning natural surroundings, butterfly spotting, and the chance to see floriculture. The enchanting atmosphere and unreal beauty of this place also make it extremely popular among meditators.
Hanuman Garhi
Situated at an altitude of 1950 meters, Hanuman Garhi is one of the most important religious places in Nainital. About 3 kilometers from the center of Nainital, the temple is dedicated to the Hindu deity, Lord Hanuman, the god of power and energy, who is often considered an incarnation of Lord Shiva.
Built in 1950 by the highly revered Neem Karoli Baba, the centerpiece of the temple is a colossal idol of Lord Hanuman, with an image of Lord Rama in his chest cavity. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Hanuman was an ardent follower and most trusted friend of Lord Rama and also helped Lord Rama win over Ravana. The temple is especially crowded on Tuesdays and Saturdays as these two days of the week are dedicated to Lord Hanuman.
Khurpatal Lake
A peaceful getaway close to Nainital, Khurpatal is one of the most serene places in Nainital. Nestled in the outer Himalayan range, the region is most famous for its emerald blue-green lake, the Khurpatal Lake. this offbeat place is a paradise for nature lovers as well as photography enthusiasts.
Named after its ‘trowel’ shape, the lake is home to many species of fish, making it a great place for fishing and fly fishing. In fact, fishing around the area is almost a family activity and is traditionally enjoyed. Adventure lovers can enjoy a walk or trekking in the surrounding forests or enjoy a serene boat ride on this remarkable lake.
How To Reach
By Air: The closest airport to Nainital is Pantnagar Airport, which is 1 hr drive away. It is well connected to New Delhi and Mumbai via Jet Airways, Air India, and Spice Jet.
BY Railway:- The nearest railway station to Nainital is Kathgodam Railway Station, which is approximately 24 km away. from station.
BY BUS:- Nainital is well-connected by road, with buses and taxis easily accessible from major Uttarakhand destinations like Dehradun, Rishikesh, and Haridwar.
NOTE:- In this article, we cover all the important details regarding Nainital like the best time to visit and Activities you can do in Nainital, Still If you have any other queries you can visit the gov official website of Uttarakhand Tourism. And If you want to know the best places to visit in Uttarakhand then visit our website uttarakhandeyes.com.
