Nainital is a town in the Indian state of Uttarakhand and is the headquarters of the Nainital district, which lies in the Kumaon foothills of the outer Himalayas. Nainital is one of India’s prime tourism and sightseeing destinations, and is acclaimed for its stunning and picturesque views of the vast plain to the south, the massive and tangled ridges to the north, and the great snowy range that forms the central axis of the Himalayas bounding them.
Over the years, many millions of people have been captivated by the charm of this place built somewhere near the roof of the world. Apart from the Mall, which is a street lined with shops and eating joints that are frequented by tourists and sightseers from India and other countries, there are several other tourist and sightseeing places in and around Nainital that are a must-see for any person who can appreciate the beauty of nature at its most spectacular. S0me of these tourism and sightseeing destinations are listed below.
The Naina Devi Temple was destroyed by the landslides of 1880 and later rebuilt. It is located on the northern shore of Naini Lake. The presiding deity of the temple is Maa Naina Devi represented by two Netras or eyes. Flanking Naina Devi are the deities of Mata Kali and Lord Ganesha.
The Church of St. John in the Wilderness was established in 1844 and is located on the north end of town (Mallital), about half a mile north-west of the Naina Devi temple. A brass plaque on the altar is inscribed with names of the victims of the landslides of 1880.
Governor’s House, also known as Raj Bhavan formerly. Government House was built in 1899 and designed in the Victorian Gothic domestic style by the architect F.W. Stevens. The complex consists of a two-storied mansion with over a hundred rooms, a large garden, a swimming pool, and golf links. Prior permission is mandatory for a visit.
Snow View, is situated at an altitude of 2,270m and located atop the Sher-ka-danda Ridge, also easily reachable by cable car. On a clear day, it offers spectacular views of the snowbound high Himalaya, including Nanda Devi, Trisul, and Nanda Kot. The best time of the year for viewing the mountains is late October and November.
Naina Peak, also known as China or Cheena Peak. Naina peak is the highest peak in the town, with an altitude of 2,615 m (8,579 ft). and at a walking distance of 6 km (4 mi) from the north end of the town (Mallital). From atop the peak, one can not only see a broad swath of the snow clad high Himalaya, but also obtain a panoramic view of Nainital town itself. The summit is an invigorating hike from Nainital town; in addition, for the less energetic visitors, ponies can be hired in Mallital or on Snow View.
Tiffin Top, also known as Dorothy’s Seal. This terraced hill top (2,292 m (7,520 ft)) on Ayarpatta hill is a 4 km (2 mi) hike from the town centre and commands a nice view of the neighbouring country side. Dorothy’s Seat is a stonework picnic perch on Tiffin Top built as a memorial to an English artist, Dorothy Kellet, by her husband and admirers after her death in a plane crash.
The High Court of Uttarakhand, formerly known as The Old Secretariat. Mukteshwar (2,286 m (7,500 ft)) is a picturesque town 52 km (32 mi) north-east of Nainital, is home to the Indian Veterinary Research Institute. It also offers an unhindered view of the high mountains of the western Himalaya, including Nanda Devi, Trisul, and Nanda Kot.
Bhimtal Lake is named after the second Pandava brother Bhima in the Mahābhārata who was known for his prodigious strength. The lake, which is larger than Naini Lake, is approximately 22 km (14 mi) from Nainital at an altitude of 1,370 m (4,495 ft). There is an island in the lake with a popular restaurant on it. There is also a 17th century temple complex, the Bhimeshwar, alongside a 40 ft (12 m) high dam at one end of the lake.
Sattal, or Seven Lakes, is at a distance of about 23 km (14 mi) from Nainital in the Lower Himalayan Range at an altitude of 1,370 m (4,495 ft). It is a cluster of small interconnected lakes in the midst of an old oak forest. On approaching Sattal, the first lake encountered is the Nal-Damyanti Lake; next it is the Panna or Garude lake; and finally there is a cluster of three lakes: Ram, Laxman, and Sita lakes.
Khurpa Tal, literally Trowel Lake, is an attractive lake about 10 km (6 mi) by road (or a 5 km (3 mi) hike) from Nainital at an altitude of 1,635 m (5,364 ft). It is popular with anglers and is surrounded by terraced fields, from which it presumably gets its name.
Naukuchia Tal, literally, Nine-Cornered Lake, is 26 km (16 mi) from Nainital and 4 km from Bhimtal at an altitude of 1,220 m (4,003 ft). The lake is almost 1 km (1 mi) long, 0.5 km (0.3 mi) wide and approximately 40 m (131 ft) deep. It is the deepest of the lakes in the greater Nainital area. According to legend, if one takes in all nine corners in one glimpse, one can disappear in a cloud of smoke.
Hanumangarh, also known as Hanuman Garh, is located at an altitude 1,951 m (6,401 ft). The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Hanuman, the vanara god of the Ramayana, and he is depicted tearing open his chest to reveal Rama and Sita in his heart. Hanuman Garhi is also known for its spectacular views of the setting sun.
To service the significant tourist and sightseeing traffic that finds its way to Nainital each year, there are scores of hotels and resorts in the area that provide a world class holiday experience.
