“The lake of my mind, unbroken by oars, heaves placidly and soon sinks into an oily somnolence.’ That will be useful.” ― Virginia Woolf, The Waves
Sat Tal, as the name suggests a cluster of seven freshwater lakes, is located in the Nainital district of Kumaon region. The lakes environ offers nature’s bounty in terms of captivating greenery and resplendent fauna. The pine and oak trees stand tall amidst the lake and add to the nature galore of the Sat Tal. It is situated at an elevation of 1,370mts above sea level on the road to Bhim Tal in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand state. It is located 22kms from Nainital with Kathgodam as its nearest Railway station. Sat Tal can be easily reached within 6-7 hrs. of time.
The seven lakes of Sat Tal are:
• Purna Tal
• Ram Tal
• Sita tal
• Laxman Tal
• Nal Damyanti Tal
• Sukha Tal
• Garud Tal.
Often compared with Westmoreland of England by British, the lakes are a haven for the migratory birds. These lakes are paradise for migratory birds as they stay for some time here during their migration. These birds try to escape the harsh cold of the great Himalayan region by migrating to lower areas of the Himalayas. If you are an avid birder and photography fantasize you then this is an ideal place for your holiday.
A popular legend holds a lot of faith regarding the origins of the Sat Tal. It is believed that King Nala drowned in the water of one of the seven lakes of Sat Tal with his wife Damayanti, during his fourteen years long exile given by his brother. Hence, the lake came to be known as Nal Damyanti Tal. The names of the other six lakes are Purna Tal, Laxman Tal, Sita Tal (named after the lead character of Ramayana), Sukha Tal and Garud Tal (named after the phoenix-like creature that carries the chariot of Lord Vishnu).
Sat Tal can be visited anytime of the year. The weather during summer is alluring and pleasant. One can seek the glorious greenery of the region during monsoon months at Sat Tal. Sat Tal is at its picturesque best during monsoon months. It is highly recommended to carry heavy woolens with you if planning a visit to Sat Tal during winters as the temperature can fall as low as freezing point.
