Nainital, often called the peaceful “Lake City of India,” is tucked away in the Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand. It’s famous for its beautiful Naini Lake, green surroundings, and nice weather, making it a great escape for anyone who loves nature or seeks adventure. In this charming hill station, you can enjoy boating, trekking, and amazing wide views.
Nainital is a well-known hill station in Uttarakhand, India, and it’s the main town of the Nainital district, located in the Kumaon foothills of the outer Himalayas. Sitting at a height of 2,084 meters (6,837 feet) above sea level, Nainital is nestled in a valley that holds a pear-shaped lake, roughly two miles around. This lake is surrounded by mountains, with the tallest ones being Naina (2,615 meters / 8,579 feet) to the north, Deopatha (2,438 meters / 7,999 feet) to the west, and Ayarpatha (2,278 meters / 7,474 feet) to the south. From the tops of these higher peaks, you can get amazing views of the huge flat plains to the south, or the many tangled mountain ridges to the north, all bordered by the great snowy mountains that form the center of the Himalayas.
Located along the northern shore of Naini Lake, this temple is dedicated to Goddess Sati. It’s considered one of the 64 Shakti Peethas devoted to her. According to old stories, Goddess Sati’s eye fell at this very spot while Lord Shiva was carrying her body to Mount Kailash. This is how she came to be worshipped as ‘Naina’, which means ‘eye’. The Nanda Devi Temple (also known as Naina Devi Temple) is one of the most important religious places in Nainital. It’s also where the Nanda Devi Mahotsav takes place, a big religious celebration held to honor Ma Nanda and Sunanda, two local goddesses.
One of the main attractions in Nainital, the lively Mall Road, was built during the British rule in India and is the center of all activity in town. There are many shops, restaurants, hotels, and cafés on Mall Road, and your trip to Nainital isn’t complete without a walk around here. Mall Road has even been used as a filming location for many Bollywood movies, including Kati Patang and Koi Mil Gaya.
The fact that Nainital is named after Naini Lake really shows how important it is. This beautiful, calm lake sits right in the heart of the city, surrounded by seven grand mountains, and it’s a very popular spot for tourists. You can enjoy row boating and paddle boating on the lake, while the stunning views around you will delight your senses. A great place to take photos of Naini Lake in all its glory is at the Band Stand in Mallital.
Sattal is another excellent place for tourists and picnics, featuring seven lakes, each with different shades of green and blue. Bhimtal, located 23 kilometers away, is a large lake with a restaurant on an island in the middle that you can reach by boat. While visiting Sattal, you should also go to Naukutchiatal, a peaceful lake with nine corners, which is about 26 kilometers away. You can get a full view of the Garud Tal from the sharp turn at Mehragaon, where the roads to Nainital, Sattal, and Bhimtal all meet.
Located at a height of 2,270 meters, Snow View Point offers spectacular views of the snow-covered Himalayan mountains. This spot is about 3 kilometers from the main part of Nainital and can be reached by an adventurous uphill walk or a comfortable taxi ride. Out of all the ways to get here, the most exciting is by cable car, which starts from Mallital. To give visitors a perfect view, there’s a pair of huge binoculars installed here. You’ll also find a small temple at this high point, along with little shops selling souvenirs, tea, and snacks.
The closest airport is Pantnagar, which is about 70 kilometers away. If direct flights aren't available, you can take a connecting flight through Delhi. From Pantnagar, you'll need to hire a taxi to get to Nainital.
The nearest train station is Kathgodam, approximately 35 kilometers away. Major cities like Delhi and Lucknow have direct trains to Kathgodam. From there, you can take a taxi or a bus to Nainital.
Nainital is easily reached by road. You can drive from Delhi (about 320 kilometers) using NH9, or you can take a bus from ISBT Anand Vihar. There are also frequent buses and taxis available from nearby cities.
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