Nainital is one of the most distinguished and adored hill stations of northern India. The enchanting natural splendor of Nainital attracts thousands of tourists towards itself from all over the country every year. Located in the Kumaon foothills of the outer Himalayas in the North Indian State of Uttarakhand, Nainital is blessed with a plethora of lakes and is therefore also known as the Lake District of India.
There are seven sky touching peaks encircling the town of Nainital. These mountains are also together known as Saptashring and they offer a splendid view of the entire valley and the various lakes. Nainital is the perfect getaway for those who wish to spend a memorable vacation in a natural orbit. The key attraction of this place is Naini Lake which is supposed to be the place where Tandava Nritya was performed by Lord Shiva. Hence this place besides being one of the favorite hill stations also holds immense significance from the mythological and religious point of view among the people.
Major Attractions in Nainital
- Naina Devi Temple – Naina Devi Temple is one of the most important 64 Shaktipeeths of Hindus. Represented by the two eyes, the deity of this sanctum is Maa Naina Devi Ji. Locals of Nainital hold immense faith in her and also got the temple rebuilt when it got destructed by a severe landslide in 1880. It is also believed that all the diseases relating to eyes can be cured by paying a hearty visit to this shrine.
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- Naini Lake or the Nainital Lake – Surrounded by seven mountains, this enormous eye-shaped lake has also given Nainital its name. The water is stagnant but so crystal clear that it is a sight in itself for its visitors. Divided into two parts namely Mallital and Tallital, besides the breathtaking views of natures, the lake also offers amazing adventure options such as boating and yachting. There are also many shops around the lake where one can relish their shopping buds.
- Aerial Ropeway – Starting from Mallital, the aerial ropeway in Nainital proceeds to snow view point which is at thrilling height of 2275mts above the sea level. There are two trolleys that carry tourists from the Flatts to the Snow View Point in a time period of about two and a half minutes.
- Naina Peak – Situated at an overwhelming height of 2615mts above the sea level, Naina Peak also known as China Peak is the highest point of the town. One can enjoy fascinating view of the majestic snowcapped mountain peaks and Nainital Lake.
- Land’s End – The stagnant water of Khurpatal Lake is what captivates thousands of tourists to take pleasure of its charm. For reaching Land’s End which is situated at a height of 2120 mts above the sea level, one needs to first drive to Barapathar and then trek for 1km.
Other places in Nainital that can be enjoyed by travelers are
- The Mall Road
- Govind Ballabh Pant Zoo
- The Flatts
- Governor’s House or Raj Bhawan
- Tiffin Top
- Eco Cave Garden
- Binayak, Hanuman Garhi
- Gorakhal
- Sattal
- Gurney House etc.
Best time to visit
Being a hill station, Nainital becomes quite cold in the months from November to February, so it might not be a very favorable time to visit this place. The ideal time to spend a vacation here is between the months of March and June or September and October when the weather here is quite refreshing and pleasurable. The city faces heavy rush of tourists in May and June because of the terrifying heat of summers in the north and summer break of students. So if you wish to spend some quality time amidst the natural beauty of Nainital and enjoy your holiday to the fullest, then the months of March, April, May, September and October are the best time to visit. The months of July and August bring heavy rainfall which is better if avoided.
Festivals and Fairs
Autumn festival celebrated in the month of October is one of the prominent festivals celebrated in Nainital. Another major fair organized here is the Nanda Devi Mela.
How to reach
By air – Pantnagar is the nearest airport lying at a distance of 65km from Nainital but there are no commercial flights available to and from other cities for this airport. The other airport nearby is the international airport in Delhi at a distance of 290km from Nainital. After reaching Delhi, one can either travel by road or train to reach Nainital.
By Rail – Kathgodham railway station is the closest railhead which is 34km from Nainital. This railway station is well connected to all the major cities of the country. There are many transport options available at the railway station for going to Nainital which include shared and private taxis.
By Road – Nainital is well connected to rest of the country by way of fine road network. NH87 connects Nainital to National Capital Delhi which is the most common starting point for travelers to Nainital. The 320km drive can be completed in about 8 to 9 hours. One can drive own vehicle, hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Nainital. There are frequent buses available to and from most of the major towns and cities of northern India for Nainital.
