Nainital

Nainital

Nainital: Nainital also referred to as a shimmering jewel in the Himalayan mountains & blessed with picturesque & pristine Mother nature. It is the home of the Eye shape lake called Naini lake and therefore got its name as Nainital.
If you are looking to indulge yourself in the mesmerizing beauty of nature then, Nainital is truly the treasure for you, which you will cherish for a long! It is one of the most visited hill stations of the Kumaon region and is surrounded by lakes and nature’s bounty. The endless scenic beauty is a perfect romantic gateway and makes you fall for its lush greenery & freshness of its surroundings.

History

Founded by a sugar trader P. Barron in 1841 Nainital is the home to the construction of the first European house known as Pilgrim Lodge. And with the summer capital of the erstwhile United Provinces, it has elegant colonial structures that enhance the beauty of this place.

According to the legends, it is believed that Nainital (Lake of the eye) was formed after the falling of the Eye of Goddess Sati. It is said that after her death, out of grief & sorrow, Lord Shiva carried her body, and roamed around the universe. Lord Vishnu had cut her body into 52 parts, using his Chakra, which fell on earth to become the Shakti Peeths, and the place where the eye of Goddess fell, become known as Nainital. To date, it is considered one of the Shakti Peeth & thousands of devotees visit the Naina Temple to worship the Goddess.

Boat Ride in Naini Lake

Naini lake, considered as the queen of lakes in North India, is known for its pristine beauty. The boat ride is one of the best ways to get the 360-degree spectacular view of its fascinating surroundings. While paddling the boat, the chilled breeze will blow away your heart & you will be amazed by the divine beauty of nature.

Gorkhal Temple

Gorkhal is the temple of Lord Golu, the local deity of Kumaon, and refers to the water pond for horses. Do you remember the movie Vivah featuring Sahid Kapoor & Amrita Rao? It has some shots of this temple, where the couple spend quality time to know each other, so why not, let you spend some good time with your beloved?

Tiffin Top

Tiffin top is also referred to as Dorothy’s seat, and gives you an option of a short hike of about 4 km from Nainital and offers a spectacular 360-degree view of Nainital city and nearby Kumaon hills. If you enjoy nature’s calling and love capturing the divine beauty of nature in your photographs, this is the place for you to must visit while in Nainital.

Tagore Top

If you love Literature, & admire the work of Guru Rabindranath Tagore, Tagore top is the place you must visit while in Nainital. He has written some part of his very renowned work Geetanjli here. The cottage where Tagore stayed up on a hilltop, is known as Writer’s Bangalow, and which is now converted into a hotel.

Naina Park

Naina peak is the highest peak in Nainital and also referred to as the China peak. It offers a splendid bird’s eye view of Nainital & its surrounded hills. It is a bliss for travelers who love hiking or trekking. You can enjoy a long walk into the lush green forest and can feel the freshness of the surroundings.

Shopping

Bara Bazaar, The Mall Road, Bhotia Bazaar, & Mallital are some of the best bazaars in Nainital, and known for homemade eatables like aromatic jams, squashes, juice concentrates and fruit preservatives available at a reasonable price. You can also find impressive pieces of home-made candles.

Paragliding in Naukuchiatal

Naukuchiatal or the lake of Nine corners, not only offers unspoiled beauty of nature but also offers a thrilling adventure to its visitors. Yes, if you are an adventurous person, then, Paragliding is for you to have a 360-degree panoramic view of the lush green hills with a stunning lake at the center of its landscape.

Kaichi Dham

Located about 17 Km from Nainital is the Ashram of famous Shri Neem Karoli Baba Maharajji. The Dham is nestled between the green hills & offers a peaceful environment to its devotees. Do not be surprised to learn that Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, Larry Brilliant, and Jeffrey Skoll, co-founder of eBay, are some of the big names who were influenced by Neem Karoli Baba and came to India to visit the Ashram.

Mukteshwar

Located about 50 Km from Nainital, is the home to the 350 years old Shiva temple known as Mukteshwar Dham, giving the town the name of Mukteshwar. The temple locates on the top of the town & offers astonishing and stunning views of the Himalayan range. You can also do rock climbing & rappelling at Chauli ki Jali. Different treks can be done here, making it a perfect adventurous gateway.

Jim Corbett National Park

The national park is located 65 Km before Nainital and known as one of the oldest & prestigious National Park of India. If you love spotting the endangered species at their natural habitat then, a Jeep safari in Jim Corbett is recommendable. It can be done either in the morning slot or in the evening. The dense forest offers amazing & picturesque landscapes, which will surely amaze you.