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Nainital City

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About

Nainital is one of the most popular hill stations across India. Its sprawling beauty attracts visitors both nationally and internationally. The city is renowned for its many attractions, with Naina Devi Temple and Naini Lake prominent. Apart from its religious significance, Nainital is also known for its adventure activity. Visitors can engage in various thrilling activities, including trekking, camping, kayaking, boating, paragliding and hot air ballooning, which adds up to their excitement. After Mussoorie, Nainital is considered a paradise for newlyweds, who often visit for their honeymoon.

Lake District

Nainital is known for its lakes, with some of the most prominent lakes are Naini Lake, Sariyatal, Khurpatal, Naukuchiatal, Sattal Lake, Malwa Tal, Lokham Tal, and Harish Tal. Because of these lakes, Nainital is often referred to as 'Lake District" or the "City of Lakes".

The name "Nainital" is derived with two words; "Naina" meaning "Eye" and "Tal" meaning "Lake". Nainital is surrounded by seven hills; Ayarpata, Deopata, Handi-Bandi, Naina, Alma, Lariya,-Kanta, and Sher-Ka-Danda, which are collectively known as "Sapta Shring".

These majestic mountains and shimmering water of the lakes produce a surreal and picturesque view of the surroundings. Nainital cool and pleasant weather, especially during summer attracts numerous visitors.

Naina Peak or China Peak

Nainital is home to the revered Goddess Naina Devi, one of the 51 Shakti Peeths. It's temple is situated atop of the hill known as "Naina Peak" or "China Peak". Before the Indo-China War, the peak was known as China or Cheena Peak, but later the Indian government renamed it Naina Peak. It is said that from its highest point one can see the Great wall of China.

The temple features two eye shaped structures placed in the temple representing Naina Devi eyes, hence earning its name. In the sanctum sanctorum, three deities are worshipped; in the centre, two eyes of Naina Devi, to the left, an idol of Maa Kali, and to its right, an idol of Lord Ganesh. Shrine portal opens for the worshippers at 6 am and closes at 10 pm.

Naini Lake

Naini Lake is named after its eye-like shape when viewed from a distance. It is one of the city's major landmarks, connected to the Mall Road. The two ends of the lake are called "Mallital" and "Tallital". Visitors can enjoy boating, kayaking and other activities. The lake is open to visitors from 6 am to 6 pm. It's turquoise green water create a mesmerizing view, especially in the morning and evening. When viewed from a high vantage point, the famous lake resembles an eye, hence earning the name Naini Lake.

Mythology

As per the legend, Sati, the daughter of King Daksha, married Lord Shiva without her father's consent. King Daksha did not like Lord Shiva, and in order to insult him, organised a yajna but didn't invite Shiva and Sati. Despite this, Sati attended the Yajna but after receiving callous remarks from her father, she leaped into the Yagna kund fire.

Upon hearing the news, Lord Shiva visited Daksha's house and carried Sati's charred body in his hands. Grieved and agonized Lord Shiva wandered all over the place. During this time, Sati eyes fell into the lake, giving turquoise color to the lake. Later, a temple dedicated to Sati, built near the lake. The temple stands tall after being hit by the landslide in 1880.

Aerial Ropeway

To witness an enthralling view of Nainital, the Aerial Ropeway is one of the main attractions in the city. The ropeway primarily connects the city's two popular points Mallital, and Snow View Point. The distance between the two is around 500 meters, which takes around 3 minutes to complete the journey. This short ride is full of excitement and thrill. The moment the ride starts, you will feel butterflies in your stomach. The ropeway operates daily from 10 am to 4 pm, with fare of Rs 350/- for adults and Rs 200/- for children between 3 to 12 years.

Jim Corbett National Park

Nainital is home to India's first national park, "Jim Corbett National Park". It was named after the great writer and conservationist Jim Corbett, which attracts tourists round the year for jungle safari. During this, tourists can sight various wild animals including Tiger, Leopard, Bengal tiger, Asiatic elephant deer, bear and other varieties of animal including 650 plus species of birds.

Popular Places

Nainital is surrounded by many tourist attractions that travellers must visit during their tour : -

Naina Devi Temple	One of the prominent Shakti Peeth, the Naina Devi Temple is dedicated to the Goddess Naina Devi. Various myths and legends associated with the temple attract devotees round the year.
Naini Lake	This beautiful eye-shaped lake is the heart of Nainital, attracting visitors round the year. Travellers can enjoy boating, yachting, and other water sports. The fare for rowing and Gondola Boat round trip is between Rs 150/- and Rs 250/- per person.
Nainital Zoo	The G. B Pant High Altitude Zoo, commonly known as Nainital Zoo, is situated at Sher Ka Danda. The Zoo is home to various wildlife species, such as the Royal Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Tibetan Wolves, and more.
Mall Road	Mall Road connects the two ends of the Nainital Lake, the Mallital and Tallital. It is a perfect place to enjoy the scenic view of the Naini Lake while strolling along the road. It features various shops and restaurants to attract visitors. Visitors can buy handmade candles and other artefacts crafted by local artisans.
Snow View Point	Perched at an height of 2,270 meters, Snow View Point is one of the most frequented places in Nainital. It produces a breathtaking view of the snow covered Himalayan Ranges. A large pair of binoculars has been installed here for a clear and better view of the ranges. An amusement park near the point kept children engaged while you were enjoying the view.
Tiffin Top	Tiffin top is among the highest points in Nainital, providing a scenic view of the lake and mountains. Located at Ayarpatta hill, this hill top is also known as Dorothy's Seat.
Kilbury	Kilbury is the perfect place for those who seek some tranquil time in nature. It is a home to more than 600 species of birds, where you can enjoy a peaceful nature walk.
Kainchi Dham	Kainchi dham is one of the major attractions in Nainital. Popularly known as Neem Karoli Ashram, this sacred place attracts millions of national and international devotees. It is situated between the two hills that intersect in a manner that appear like scissors, which is why it is known as "Kainchi Dham". The temple houses an idol of Lord Hanuman, where devotees pay their obeisance. The idol of Neem Karoli Baba seems more realistic and radiates a spiritual energy. The place gained a lot of attention since founder of Meta Mark Zuckerberg and Apple Co founder Steve Jobs visited the shrine.
Pangot	A small hamlet situated around 15 km from the city is home to a variety of birds. Pangot is nothing more than a paradise for bird watchers, offering an opportunity to spot a plethora of birds.
Sariyatal	Situated on Kaladungi Road, Sariyatal sits on the backdrop of green landscape. Its heart-shaped lake attracts visitors seeking a peaceful retreat. A botanical garden adjacent to the lake also attracts many.
Khurpatal	Surrounded by towering pine trees, this blue-green Khurpatal lake is one of the most tranquil family picnic spots.
Ghorakhal	Ghorakhal means a "pond of horses", is usually known for its two main attractions; the Army School and the revered Golu Devta Temple. The temple attracts several devotees who have a deep belief in the deity.
Naukuchiatal	Visitors can enjoy boating, yachting, rowing, and paddling in crystal clear Naukuchiatal lake. With its nine corners, the lake produces a scintillating view that captivates visitors.
St John in the Wilderness Church	One of the most popular and oldest buildings in the city, St John in the Wilderness was built in 1846. This Neo-Gothic Architecture style church is surrounded by tall deodar and pine trees, producing a stunning view. The renowned hunter and conservationist Jim Corbet visited frequently during that period.

Accommodation Facility

Being a popular hill destination in Uttarakhand, Nainital provides a wide range of lodging facilities. Luxury stays like Taj, Naini Retreat, Brij Atmanya, Saffron Stays provide comfortable accommodations. Additionally, the town also serves budget options including, Guest House, Homestays and others. These days, the Luxurious Glamping Dome, in high demand, provides a unique and luxurious experience.

Things To Do

Nainital is known for its pleasant weather and natural beauty. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities to make their trip memorable such as : -

Religious Places	Nainital is home to many sacred sites that are visited by many across the year. Naina Devi, Kainchi Dham, Golu Devta, Hanuman Garhi Temple, and Pashan Devi are some of the revered sites near the city.
Boating	Enjoy boating in Naini Lake, Naukuchiatal, and Sattal Lake. The lake generally opens for visitors at 6 am and closes at 6 pm. Boating fare varies as per the service chosen, ranging between Rs 200/- and Rs 400/- per person.
Paragliding	To sail over the lake district, visitors can enjoy thrilling paragliding activity. Its prices range between Rs 1,600/- to Rs 6,500/- depending upon the package chosen.
Ropeway	For a stunning aerial view of Nainital, the ropeway service is the ideal choice giving you a breathtaking experience. It service operates daily between 10 am to 4 pm from Mallital to Snow View Point.
Hot Air Balloon	Nainital is one of the few places that offer Hot Air Balloon activity. It is one of the aero adventure sport activities, which is full of thrill and excitement.
Fishing	Visitors can enjoy angling at Sattal and Bhimtal Lake, which requires prior permission from the authority.
Trekking	A a popular hill station, Nainital provides trekking opportunities to trekking enthusiasts. Although some trails are challenging but can be reached by beginners. Some notable trekking routes are Naina Peak, Tiffin Top, Land Ends Trek, Guano Hills, and Nainital Zoo Trek.
Bird Watching	Pangot and Kilbury are two important spots for bird watching in Nainital. Both these places are home to more than 600 species of Birds and also offer free entry to its visitors from 6 AM to 5 PM.
Shopping	Visitors can buy local artisan handicraft, particularly from Mall road. Handmade candles and artisanal products are best selling souvenirs.

Important Tips for Travellers

Prior accommodation booking is must, especially during peak season i.e. March and June, and December and January.
During peak season, overcrowding makes the place less enjoyable, so plan your visit accordingly.
Parking is one of the major concerns near Naini Jheel and Mall Road.
Always wear comfortable shoes, while visiting Naina Peak, Tiffin Top, and other places.
Pooja Shops are available at the shops, with free shoe rack service.
Photography and videography is not allowed inside the Naina Devi Temple.
During peak time, one needs to wait a lot to access the ropeway service.
During the monsoon, excessive rainfall creates lots of problems.
Keep light woolen clothes for summers, as morning and evening feel cold.
Valid identification proof is a must for activities like paragliding and hot air ballooning.

Nearby Attraction

Apart from popular places, there are some other notable attraction in Nainital, which are visited most : -

Hanuman Garhi Temple.
Governor House Raj Bhawan.
Tibetan Market.
Bhimtal Lake.
Aquarium Island Cafe.
Mukteshwar Temple.
Ramgarh.
Bhowali.

How to Reach

By Road : - Nainital is located around 283 km from Dehradun ISBT and 292 km from Delhi Kashmiri Gate. State run transport services provide daily one bus service to access the location, from Dehradun, Haridwar and other bus stands. Taxi Unions also provide their shared taxi service to access the location. Private bus operators also provide bus services which can be booked through Red Bus, Make My Trip, Goibibo and others. Visitors can also book a taxi from major places of Dehradun either online or offline.

By Rail : - Kathgodam railway station in Haldwani is the nearest station. It is around 281 km from Delhi junction and 275 from Dehradun Railway station. Ranikhet express, Kathgodam express, and Naini Jan Shatabdi Express are some of the major trains operated daily. Nainital is around 43 km away from Kathgodam junction and the remaining journey can be completed either by bus or booking a cab.

By Air : - The nearest airport is in Pantnagar that provides a decent connectivity from major airports like Delhi, Kolkata, Pune, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Chennai. Nainital is around 70 km away from the airport. You have to travel by road through a bus or cab to access the location. The nearest bus stand is around 4 km from the airport.

Best Time to Visit

Nainital enjoys the perfect weather round the year, but summers and winter are considered most favorable. It receives moderate to heavy snowfall between January to February, which turns the place into a white wonderland. People often visit here for Christmas and New Year celebrations.