Nainital is a sparkling gem in the Himalyan neckless, blessed with beautiful natural scenery and various natural resources. Dotted with lakes , Nainital is famous as ” Lake District ” of India . The most prominent of the lakes is Naini lake surrounded by hills . Nainital has a varied biological structure . Some of the importance places in the locale are Nainital , Haldwani , Kaladhungi , Ramnagar , Bhowali , Ramgarh , Mukteshwar , Bhimtal , Sattal and Naukuchiatal. Beautiful stunning natural sceneries of Nainital are nothing short of a romance with awe-inspiring and pristine Mother nature.
The delightful lake resort situtated in the midst of seven hills in a lavish valley at an height of 1938 meters. In 1841, the British first initially discovered Nainital as an occasional resort for spending holidays. Today, the town is famous as an most important hill resorts of India
Nainital is a modem hill resort of northern India (336 kms from Delhi) connected roads from the railhead of Kathgodam. Railway line was laid up to Kathgodam in 1882. The roads passes through lush green forests where we can see wild animals occasionally. The name”Naini” is derived from the temple of goddess Naini which was built on the bank of the lake however later got destroyed because of area slides in the year 1880, The place is described in Skand Puran as ‘Trishul Sarover’. Tri Rishi (three sages Atri, Pulastiya and Pulha) had come there for pilgrimage while they were at Gagar range (now called China Peak), they felt thirsty and couldn’t find water anywhere. From there on, they thought Man Sarover and dig a hole which at once got filled with water.
Situated at an height of approximately 2,084 meters over the ocean level, Nainital is a famous hill station in the state of Uttrakhand. The town is situated nearby the foothills of the Kumaon area of the outer Himalayas. The town is known for its natural beauty and because of its pleasant climate through out the year makes it the most popular hill stations in India. The town’s economy, like most of the hill stations in India depends upon tourism and thus different kind of services are available for the visitors. Here are the main 10 places to visit in Nainital.
1. The Mall Road
Mall Road is was constructed during the British colonial rule, The Mall Road is the main road which runs through the heart of the Nainital town parallel to the lake connecting the two ends of the town. The Mall road now named Govind Ballabh Pant Marg. With the cool breeze blowing across the lake through the road an evening stroll on the Mall, has its own charm. During summers, this road is big attraction for the tourists. Nainital is flushed with choices on what to buy having exclusively the ‘Made-in-Nainital’ stamp. Mall road has a number of Hotels, Travel Agencies, Banks, Showrooms, Department Stores, Shops, Restaurants and Cafes.
This beautiful lake is Nainital’s centerpiece and is said to be one of the emerald green eyes of Shiva’s wife, Sati (naina is Sanskrit for eye) that tumbled to earth after her act of self-immolation. Boatmen will row you around the lake for Rs.210/- in the brilliantly painted gondola-like boats, or the Nainital Boat Club will sail you round for Rs.350/-. Pedal boats can also be hired for Rs.150/- per hour.
3. Naina Devi Temple
Naina Devi Temple is on the exact place where the eye of Lord Shiva’s wife Sati is believed to have fallen. Nearby is the Jama Masjid and a Gurdwara . You can walk around the lake in around 60 minutes. The southern side is more peaceful and has great view of the town.
Commonly known as the Naini Lake, it is situated in the middle of the town and is the lifeline of Nainital. Boating facilities are available for the visitors and on the other hand a moderate paced walk around the lake will offer a peaceful relaxation like no other.
4. Naina Peak
Known as the Cheena or China Peak by local people, Naina Peak is the highest peak in Nainital. It is situated at an average height of 2,615 meters above ocean level and is a popular trekking spot in Nainital. The spot is known to provide the most amazing panoramic view of the whole valley and Nainital close to the Naini Lake.
5. Cable Car
Nainital Ropeway is one of the main attractions of Nainital. This ropeway connects Snow-View Point (at 2270 Mts.) with Nainital near flats. Aerial ropeway starts at Mallital, there are only two trolleys to carry passengers.
6. Tiffin Top
Famous as an picnic spot in Nainital, Tiffin Top is also known as Dorothy’s Seat and is situated at a height of approximately 2292 meters on the Ayarpatta Hill. Situated at a distance of only four kilometers from the central town of Nainital. The spot is named after an English painter Dorothy Kellet who used to sit at this very spot and paint. This spot is otherwise called Dorothy’s seat. Tiffin Top or Dorothy’s Seat is a stonework bench, which was built a memory of Dorothy Kellet an English artist by her husband and well-wishers.
Tiffin Top is sought after by aspiring painters and photographers who want to capture the magnificent beauty of the hills in summer and their starkness in winter either on their canvas or in their camera. With lavish green and peaceful environs along moreover the spectacular view of the snow-covered Himalayan peaks adds to the charm of the Tiffin Top and subsequently making it more popular amongst the visitors searching for some relief from the hustle-bustle of the city life. So come and explore the striking beauty of this famous picnic spot in Nainital.
7. Thandi Sadak
Nainital is a beautiful, serene and a green hill station. There is natural beauty in abundance, but the best part of this place that it has the old world charm completely retained, probabaly the way Britishers left it. It is hard not to notice the English charm all around in the form of buildings, roads, cultural lodges etc. Nainital is a bliss for people who love walking. One can go for long walks, breath fresh air and enjoy the scenic beauty. It offers numerous walkways and authentic feeling of you being a local yourself. Quiet, peaceful and lazy are probably the best description.
Thandi Sadak is also a pleasant place for a morning jog and many people of all age groups can be seen leisurely strolling. Thandi Sadak can also be a nice place to spend some time away from the hustle and bustle, by being right in the middle of the city.
8. Horse Riding
Any visitor coming to Nainital cannot miss the joy of riding a horse. Horse riding is another important attraction for tourists in Nainital. Horses can be hired at Bara Pathar. Several tourist use horses as their transport mode to visit the different peaks of Nainital.Horse Riding is now strictly prohibited inside the Nainital town.
These horses earlier operate from Mallital near the lake. But the horse dung was polluting the lake and beauty of the mall. So the High Court had to step in and pushed them at Bara Pathar.
9. St. John In The Wilderness
St. John in the Wilderness is a church a built which was built in 1844 and is situated on the north end of the town. The church was named so after the Bishop of Calcutta was obliged to rest in an unfinished house in the wildness after falling ill. The church is situated in a hidden and serene located amidst the deodar forest and is built a Neo-Gothic styled architecture with stained glass windows from Belgium.
10. Pt. G.B. Gasp High Altitude Zoo
Situated at a normal height of 2,100 meters above sea level, Pt. G.B. Gasp High Altitude Zoo was built up in 1984 and was opened to general public in 1995. The zoo contains several exotic and endangered species of animals and birds which are native to this area. Snow Leopard, Himalayan Bear, Tibetan wolf etc. are few of the endangered species found here.
11. Gurney House
Gurney House is a cottage which is famous for being the living place of the British conservative Jim Corbett. The house was built 1881 and is situated close to the Nainital Lake. The material used for making of this building were reused material of a older house situated at this site. The house was sold to Mr. Sharda Prasad Varma in 1947 when the Corbett family left for Kenya.
12. Eco Cave Gardens
Eco Cave Gardens are interconnected caves popular among the tourists and are a treat for children upon their visit. The garden has seven caves where we can reached through a narrow and zigzag road with amazing view during the drive. This is one of the best places every one ought to visit with the family and is of special interest to kids with the musical fountain that is situated here.
13. Snow View
One of the best view points in Nainital, the Snow View is situated at a average height of 2,270 above sea level is reachable by a cable car. It gives amazing view of the snow capped Himalayas with the major peak like Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot and Trishul. You can visit here between 10 am to 5 pm. The stay is chargeable for every hour that you spend at the spot.
14. Lands’ End
This spot is very popular among the trekkers, Land’s End is a beautiful area and having amazing view from this spot are like none other. The spot is situated at a height of 2,118 kilometers above sea level gives view of the surrounding hills. The place is surrounded by some wonderful trees and pine forests.
15. Kilbury Bird Sanctuary
One of the few high altitude bird sanctuaries in India, the Kilbury Bird Sanctuary is located at an average elevation of 2000 meters above sea level. The sanctuary is a home to over 240 different species of Birds which are both migratory and resident. The sanctuary is located at a picturesque forest village called Pangot.
While there are various other attractions like Pangot and Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary, the above mentioned 10 tourist places in Nainital are the most popular destinations and are a must-visit to derive the best experience from your visit.
16. Water Fall
Waterfall is About 5 kms away from Nainital on the way to Kaladungi just below Sariyatal, (2100 MT). Waterfall is the beautiful tourist spot, waterfall looks refreshing as it splashes milky water through the rocks into a pool of water maing it is a must visit.
