Nainital

The Lake District of India

Famously called as the 'Lake District of India,' Nainital is dotted with scenic splendours, cascading waterfalls, sparkling lakes and a very varied topography. Nestled peacefully in the Kumaon foothills, the Himalayan ambience adds much more value to Nainital and its capacity to draw mutlitude of tourists. It is located 1938 m above the sea level. Shinining like a sparkling jewel in the Himalayas, Nainital has evolved as a much sought after territory for romantic couples, adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Nainital has been divided into two parts- Tallital and Mallital. In this differentiation, Tallital means the lower part of land while Mallital means the upper part of land. A very interesting Nainitali legend also connects these two parts, commenting that when it rains in Tallital, it is sunny in Mallital and vice versa.

History reveals that Nainital was founded by Mr. P. Barron who was a European Businessman. He was in awe of Naini Lake and in no time, he created a beautiful hill station out of the territory. According to the legends, Nainital has been one of the important 64 Shakti Peeths in the Hindu mythology and hence, Naini Lake is considered to be significant. It is also believed that it was at Naini Lake where God Shiva had performed the tandava dance.

Over the years, the school the education and research facilities have developed in Nainital in a very phenomenal manner. Following are the main attractions of Nainital

Naina Peak: Located 6 km away from Nainital at an altitude of 2611 m, Naina Peak was also known as China Peak. It is the highest point of the town of Nainital. Adventure enthusiasts love coming to Naina Peak due to the trekking involved, though ponies are also available for those who cannot trek. The after reaching the top most point, one can witness the beauty of snow capped Himalayan ranges, the Api Peak and the Bunder Punch Glaciers along with the Nari Peak in Nepal. One can also see the breathtakingly beautiful bowl shaped town of Nainital from up above.

Mall Road: This street is fondly called as the life of Nainital. It is bustling with resorts on one end, while the other end has local bazaars that sell handicraft and handloom items. This street is also the main way to connect Tallital with Mallital. The road is also divided into upper mall road and lower mall road. The upper mall road has markets and resorts while the lower mall road has lakes. Few of the shops which are currently present on the upper mall road also date back to the British times.

Naina Devi Temple: The Goddess Naina Devi is worshipped in Nainital as the daughter of Kumaon. Every September, a large scale fair is organised to worship the goddess with pomp and show. The ritual of Kanyadaan (giving away of the daughter) is also carried during the fair, marking it as one of the most auspicious acts. It was unfortunately destroyed by a landslide in 1880.

Govind Ballanbh Pant High School: Not only is it the only zoo in Nainital but is known for being the only zoo in Uttarakhand. It was established in 1984. It is located 2 km away from Nainital bus station. It is 2100 m above sea level and hence gives a better view of the town. It is located on the Sher ka Danda peak. Beautiful flora including roses, hibiscus, acer, acacia and rhododendrons are found here. Innumerable oak plantations also dot this place.

Rajbhawan: It was initially built as the home for the Governor of the North Western Provinces during the time of British India. It is known for being built in the line of the Buckhingam Palace of United Kingdom in 1899. Currently, it is the official residence of the Governor of Uttarakhand. The Governor House is known for its manicured gardens, swimming pool, Jhandidhar Modi Heights and Munsi Heights.

Excursions from Nainital
Following destinations like Kathgodam (23 km), Ranikhet (55.6 km), Ramnagar (63.3 km), Almora (65.8 km) are located near to Nainital.

Shopping in Nainital
The important shopping destinations in Nainital are located in the Mall Road, Mallital, Bhotia Bazaar and Bara Bazaar. Nainital is known for its beautiful and aromatic candles. Local handicrafts and handloom items are also found in Nainital.

When to Reach
The summer months from March to June are very pleasant in Nainital and  hundreds of tourists visit this hill station to find some respite from the summer sun. The months of monsoon are the very best to experience the lush green forests of Nainital with rainfall's ambience.The winter months with heavy rainfall are the best time for newly weds and romantic couples to visit Nainital.

How to Reach
Air: The nearest airport near to Nainital is located at Pantnagar which is 65 km away from Nainital.
Rail: The nearest railway station is located at the distace of 34 km at Kathgodam. It is located peacefully at the foothills of the Kumaon Hills.
Bus: Excellent bus connectivity makes Nainital easily accessible from the major cities in the country.