Nestled in the Kumaon ranges of the captivating Himalayas, Nainital is one of the greatest destination for the nature lovers. Also housing the administrative headquarters of the Nainital District it is one of the most sought after tourist destinations of India. Nainital has traditionally been called the “Lake District of India”.
The tourism activity in and around Nainital is centered on the many lakes of the region and intense forests that draw the visitors into this extraordinarily beautiful the lap of nature. A visit to Nainital will help you to relish a brilliant time-out from the demanding life of the cities. And the ambiance of this remarkable cache of blissful splendor will charm you to no confines.
The Nainital district is located in the Kumaon region of the state of Uttarakhand. The Headquarters of the district are located at Nainital, a small hill station which is arguably one of the finest hill stations of India. Nainital is located at an altitude of 2,084 meters (6,837 feet) above the sea level.
Nainital was accidently discovered by an English businessman named Mr. Peter Barron. Mr. Baron and his friend, while returning from a hunting expedition, lost their way and happened to chance upon this fabled land. Mr. Barron was so enamoured of this pristine spot, especially the pear-shaped emerald lake nestled amidst lofty hills, and the salubrious climate, that he gave up his thriving business in the scorching Indo-Gangetic plains and made this Utopian land his home. Mr. Barron built an idyllic bungalow at Nainital. The bungalow, Pilgrim Lodge, enduring the pangs of time, still stands tall and is counted among the most prominent buildings of the town. Soon after settling in Nainital, Mr. Barron disclosed its location to other fellow Britons and gradually the place developed into a British township.
To trace the origin of this fairy-tale town, we need to go back in time, and traverse through the by-lanes of Hindu mythology. Legend has it that after goddess Parvati’s (Sati) self-immolation in Heaven, the remorseful Lord Shiva, holding the charred body of his consort Sati, performed Tandav, the celestial dance of destruction. The dance was so vigourous and violent that it resulted in disintegration of Sati’s body. It is believed that during this poignant moment, the celestial forces gained such momentum that they flung portions of the disintegrated body at several spots in the Indian subcontinent; the geographical area of the Earth where people held/hold the Hindu Pantheon in great reverence. The sites where Sati’s organs landed are known as the Shakti Peeths. Thus, the Shakti Peeths are shrines of goddess Parvati (Sati) and have a profound significance in Hinduism. Nainital is believed to be one such Shakti peeth. Surprisingly enough, a sacred lake was created on the spot where Sati’s eye fell. Since then, the place is known by the name of Nainital, meaning “The Lake-Eyed Town”; “Nain” is the Hindi for eye whereas “Tal” means lake.
Nainital is well-known for its exquisite beauty worldwide and is one of the most sought after tourist destinations of India. Nainital is blessed with Nature’s bounty and is often dubbed as the Lake District of India. Besides the Naini Lake, Nainital also has some other pristine lakes such as Khurpatal, Bhimtal, Nakuchiatal and Satal, in its vicinity. Mukteshwar, Ramgarh, Kilbury, Kunjakharak, Pangot, to name a few, are some other picturesque tourist destinations located in the Nainital district. The Corbett Tiger Reserve at Ramnagar, famous for its tiger and wildlife conservation, is yet another tourist attraction of the District. It is the oldest National Park of India and is home to the royal Bengal tiger, among other rich and varied flora and fauna.
Nainital is developing as an eco-tourism hot-spot too. The Himalayan Bird Sanctuary in the Kilbury jungle is a haven for bird watchers and nature lover. The beauty of the lush oak and deodar (Himalayan cedar) jungles is simply breathtaking. It is said that the Kilbury forest has around 500 bird species including the collared grosbeaks, the laughing thrush and the brown wood-owls. The more sensitive type and the ones seeking wanderlust, usually take up treks to the Kilbury jungle and other nearby Nature retreats. Nainital also boasts of a high altitude zoo which is home to a number of endangered and endemic species of animals and birds like the snow leopard, the royal Bengal tiger, the Himalayan bear, Japanese Macaque, Steppe Eagle, Himalayan martin, among others. The Himalayan Botanical Garden located at Khurpatal is nothing less than the Biblical Garden of Eden and displays a wide range of brilliantly hued plants and flowers all the year round. Recently, adventure sports have also started gaining impetus in the region. One can experience the adrenaline-pumping adventure of paragliding at Naukuchiatal. Some private mountaineering clubs also arrange for mountaineering opportunities. Barapatthar in Nainital has an artificial climbing structure for adventure enthusiasts. Rivers like Kosi, Dabka and Ramganga, that flow through the region have immense scope for river rafting and other adventure sport and are being tapped for the same.
Nainital is an education hub too. It is known countrywide for its prestigious boarding schools like Sherwood College, All Saints’ College, St. Mary’s Convent, Birla Vidya Mandir, St. Joseph’s College, to name a few. Some of these centers of education are were established more than 150 years ago and several dignitaries of national and international repute have been educated in them.
The Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), the leading astronomical research institute and observatory, is also located in Nainital. It is also interesting to point out that the largest ground based optical telescope is also located at ARIES, Nainital.
Nainital owns a number of beautiful heritage buildings. The oldest Methodist church of Asia is located in Nainital. St. John in the Wilderness, a beautiful church built in the Gothic style, is another pride of the town. The Governor’s House, also known as the Raj Bhawan, is another Gothic marvel which reminds one of the Windsor castle. Currently this imposing edifice serves as the summer residence of the Governor of Uttarakhand. The compound has a lush-green sprawling golf course, a swimming pool and lush green oak and deodar groves. Gurney House, another historic building, used to be the residence of Jim Corbett, prior to his departure to Kenya. It is now a private residence cum museum of Corbett memorabilia. The Boat House Club, Capitol Cinema, the Municipality building and the Municipal Library are some other important landmarks of the town.
The Nainital district has carved a niche for itself in Religious Tourism too. A number of significant shrines and ashrams dot the District. The Naina Devi Temple, the Hanumangarh Temple, the Kainchi Dhaam, the Ghorakhal Temple, the Buddhist Gompa, the Jama Masjid, St. Francis Church, are some of the most visited shrines of Nainital. The Kainchi Dhaam, founded by the mystic Neeb (Neem) Karoli Baba, has gained international recognition owing to visits made by the late Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg.
The Naini Lake holds great charm to the locals and the tourists alike. Besides the famous lake, Nainital has a number of other sight–seeing attractions like the Naina peak, which is the highest peak of the town and offers a breathtaking bird’s eye view of the town and the adjoining regions. Snow view is another popular vista point of the town. Though located at a considerable height, it is easily accessible through cable-car service and offers a spectacular view of the majestic Himalayas. Dorothy’s seat, named in memory of an English lady who was killed in an air crash, Land’s End and Himalaya Darshan are some other popular vista points of the town.
If you are a shopaholic, there is plenty in store for you at the promenade, known as the Mall Road, the Flats and the Tibetan market. The Tibetan market is one of the favourite haunts of both the locals and the tourists alike. It is a great place for gallivanting and for buying clothes, bags, accessories, handicrafts at a very reasonable rate.
The place has a lot more to offer than just this fleeting glimpse. It’s a place you fall in love with and it stays tucked in the most cherished memories of your heart – always!
