subject: Nainital - The Lake View From The Hills [print this page] Nainital, located in the Kumaon foothills in Uttarakhand, lies in the midst of three mountains of Naina, Deopatha and Ayarpatha. The name of Nainital literally translates into 'lake of the eye' with 'naina' meaning 'eye' and 'tal' meaning 'lake'.
According to folklore, when three sages, Atri, Pulastya and Pulaha, visited the town, they found no water was available there. Then they dug a deep hole, where the present lake is situated, and brought water from the Mansarovar Lake in Tibet. It is believed that a dip in the lake here is equal to a dip in the holy lake of Mansarovar.
According to mythology Nainital is one of the 64 places where the parts of Goddess Parvati fell while Lord Shiva was carrying her. There is a Naina Devi Temple here dedicated to Shakti, a form of Parvati.
This hill station was founded by the British 1841. They spent their time in this hill station in summer to escape the extreme hot weather of the plains. The British built many schools and colleges in Nainital which are operational even today.
Nainital is a small town with steep mountains covered with green forests. This beautiful hill station has several sightseeing attractions which include elevated peaks of the Himalayas, lakes and tree-covered hillsides. Naini Lake is the most popular among the many lakes situated within and around the hill station. Other famous lakes in Nainital are Bhimtal Lake, Naukuchiatal Lake, Khurpatal Lake and Sat Tal Lake.
China Peak provides a beautiful view of the snow-capped Himalayas. Snow View, Tiffin Top and Land's End are the other viewing points that offer a panoramic view of the valley and the mountains. Among the popular religious places in Nainital are Naina Devi Temple and Hanuman Garhi Temple. Besides being religious places, these places offer enchanting views of the surroundings.
Evidence of the colonial rule can be seen here in the form of St. John's Church, the British Cemetery and the vintage point of Dorothy's Seat. The travellers can also visit Astronomical Observatory, Flatts and Cave Gardens. Tourists can also visit Nainital Zoo, Raj Bhavan, Gurney House and Guano Hill.
Nainital experiences a cool and pleasant weather all round the year. The temperature in Nainital ranges from 27 degree centigrade in summer to seven degree centigrade in winter. The nearest airport to Nainital is Delhi (275 km). The nearest railway station is in Kathgodam, (35 km). Regular private buses ply between Delhi and Nainital. It takes only seven hours to reach Nainital from Delhi. The best time to visit Nainital is from December to June.
Hotel options in Nainital range from budget hotels to resorts, homestays as well as guest lodges and hostels, which are popular among the backpackers.
