India >> North Zone >> Uttaranchal >> Nainital
About Nainital Nainital also known as India 'Lake District' because of the numerous lakes spread across its boundaries, derives its from an old temple of Goddess Naina Devi on the shore of the lake. It is a beautiful hill district nestled in the lap of the Central Himalayas in the Kumaon region. Legend has it that the rishis brought the waters of the sacred Mansarovar River to form over Naini Lake.
| Area: | 11.73 sq.kms.
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| Best Time to Visit: | March – June, mid September – October
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| Climate: | The weather is very pleasant throughout the year. But it becomes very cold in winters.
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| Main Languages: | Hindi, English & Kumaoni
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| Population: | Approx. 40,000
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| Temperature: | Summer - Max: 27 Min: 10
Winter - Max: 15 Min: 3
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Other Attractions In & Around
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Bhowali
Bhowali is 11 kms away from Nainital on the Haldwani-Almora Road. It is quite famous as a market known for its variety of fruits. It also houses the famous Sainik School of India. This place is said to be good for those patients who ail from problems of the lungs. There is also a Sanatorium here.
Very near to Bhowali, on Almora-Ranikhet road is the temple complex of Kainchi.
Only 3 km, from here is Ghorakhal, famous for the temple of Gollu Devta, a demi God highly revered by the Kumaonis. Similarly Jeolikote (1219 mts) is famous as a health resort and for its butterflies, as also for the production of honey, mushrooms and fruits including strawberries and leech.. Location : 11 kms away from Nainital on the Haldwani-Almora Road. TOP
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Naini Lake
One of the main attractions of Nainital is the Naini Lake also called Tririshi Lake. The lake is shaped like an eye and is surrounded by hills on all sides. It is said to be one of the emerald green eyes of Siva's wife which fell at this site and hence the name Naini Tal.
At the centre of Nainital is Naini Lake, a water body shaped like an eye, around which the town has grown. Surrounding it are hotels, restaurants, shops, promenades. Sail and paddleboats are available for riding. The popular Naini Devi Temple is by the northern end of the lake. Every Year Durga Puja is held in this temple by the Bengalis living in and around Nainital. On one side of the lake is the Mall road and on the other side is "Thandi Sarak".. Legend : It is from this lake that the city of Nainital, the beautiful settlement by the lake, derives its name.
This attribute lake is said to be one of the emerald green eyes of Shiva's consort, Sati. When Sati's father failed to invite Shiva to a family sacrifice, she burnt herself to death in protest. Shiva gathered the charred remains in his arms and proceeded to engage in a cosmic dance - Thandava, which threatened to destroy the world. To terminate the dance, Vishnu chopped up the body into pieces, and the remains were scattered across the country. The modern Naina Devi Temple (Naina meaning eye in Sanskrit) at the northern end of the lake is built over the precise spot where the eye is believed to have fallen. TOP
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Naini Peak
(2610 mtrs): Naina Peak, also called, as China Peak is the tallest of all in Nainital, at a height of 2611 metres commanding the finest views of the Himalayas and an intriguing bird’s-eye. On a clear day, a wide range of the snow-clad Himalayas is visible.
Naini Peak is a challenging hike. One can see the Himalayan ranges, especially, East Trishul, Nanda Devi and Nandak Kot from its top.. Fantastic view from a top : The highest summit in the area is the Naina Peak, looming over Mallital, which offers some breathtaking views of the entire area from Gangotri to Nepal. The road to Naina Peak leads to a pleasant forest of vibrant rhododendrons, soaring deodars and cypresses. 12 kms away from Nainital, on the Naina Peak road, is the idyllic wooded retreat of Kilbury, housing an old rest house.
One can visit this place on foot or by horseback. TOP
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Snow View
Snow view as the name suggests offers an indescribably beautiful and breath-taking picture of the glittering snows of Himalayas. It is the most easily accessible hilltop and is 2.5 kms away from Nainital.
On the top one can have a breathtaking view of Northern Himalyan ranges. There are strong binoculars from which one can see Nanda Devi (7817 m), which is second highest mountain in India. On the way from Nainital to Snow View there is a small Gadhan Kunkyop Ling Gompa of the Gelupka order.. Location : 2.5 kms away from Nainital. Reaching there : The Snow View is situated at a height of 2270m and can be reached by a ropeway. One can also walk two km of pleasant climb or hire horses.
A chair lift (ropeway), officially called the 'Aerial Express' takes you up to the popular Snow View. The lift is open 7 am to 8 pm in the high season.
From Snow View you can walk to another viewpoint and then continue on to main road to Kilbury. Attractions around : At the top, a close up view of Naina Devi, which was, as the old brass plate tells you - 'the highest mountain in the British empire'. Naina Devi was India's highest peak until Sikkim (and thus Kanchenjunga) was absorbed into the country.
There's a small marble temple dedicated to Dev Mundi housing images of Durga, Shiva, Sita, Rama, Lakshmana and Hanuman.
From here you could continue up to China Peak or head down the road to Sukhatal.
A walk up to Snow View can take in the tiny Gadhan Kunkyop Ling Gompa of the Gelukpa order (of which the Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader). Take the road uphill from the hotel city heart, from where a path branches off towards the gompa. The gompa serves Nainital's small and itinerant Tibetan community. Most of the Tibetan families travel to Nainital in the summer season to sell sweaters and shawls, and descend to the plains in winter. TOP
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