Nainital, a popular hill station in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, is known for its captivating beauty and serene environment. Located around the emerald Naini Lake, this quaint town is surrounded by mountains on three sides and offers a variety of attractions for tourists. Here's a list of must-visit places in and around Nainital:
Naini Lake: The lifeline of Nainital, this natural freshwater body is ideal for boating and offers mesmerizing views, especially during the early morning and at sunset.
The Mall Road: Running alongside the Naini Lake, Mall Road is the main shopping, dining, and cultural hub of Nainital, bustling with activity throughout the day.
Snow View Point: Accessible by cable car, this viewpoint offers panoramic views of the snow-clad Himalayas, including Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Nanda Kot.
Tiffin Top (Dorothy's Seat): A short hike or pony ride will take you to Tiffin Top, providing a splendid view of the Himalayas and the town.
Nainital Zoo (Pt. G.B. Pant High Altitude Zoo): Situated at a high altitude, this zoo houses several high-altitude animals, including the Royal Bengal Tiger, Himalayan Bear, and Tibetan wolves.
Raj Bhawan (Governor's House): The Gothic-style mansion is the official residence of the Governor of Uttarakhand and is known for its impressive architecture and well-maintained gardens.
Eco Cave Gardens: A cluster of interconnected rocky caves and hanging gardens, this attraction is perfect for families and especially fun for children.
Land's End: Offering a magnificent view of the plains and the beautiful Khurpa Tal lake, it’s a spot known for its tranquility and natural beauty.
Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary: Around 15 kilometers from Nainital, this sanctuary is a haven for bird watchers, with over 580 bird species recorded in the area.
Bhimtal: About 22 km from Nainital, Bhimtal offers a quieter environment and a large lake with an island at its center.
Sattal: A group of seven freshwater lakes, a few kilometers away from Bhimtal, it's a serene spot ideal for nature lovers and photographers.
Naukuchiatal: Literally meaning 'lake of nine corners', it's a small hill station in close proximity to Nainital and offers paragliding and fishing activities.
Hanuman Garhi: A temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman, it's a good spot to view the sunset over the Himalayas.
When visiting Nainital, the best time is typically from March to June which is the summer season, and again in the autumn months of September and October. Winters can be quite cold, and monsoons sometimes bring heavy rains, which may lead to landslides and travel disruptions. Always check local weather conditions and advisories when planning your trip.
Uttarakhand
Uttarakhand is a state located in the northern part of India. It was formed on 9 November 2000 as the 27th state of India. The state is known for its scenic beauty and is often referred to as the "Land of the Gods" due to the presence of numerous Hindu temples and pilgrimage centers. The state has a total area of 53,483 square kilometers and is bordered by Tibet in the north, Nepal in the east, and the Indian states of Uttar Pradesh to the south and Himachal Pradesh to the west. Dehradun is the capital of Uttarakhand.
Nainital
Nainital, popularly known as Lakes Bale Town, is located at an altitude of 1938 metres in the state of Uttarakhand. This beautiful lakes town is famous as a clear haven to escape the scorching heat of the surrounding plains, along with a beautiful and poplur honeymoon spot, it is a very beautiful place where you will feel like being calm and near nature. Mallroad is the famous market here so don't forget to go here. And, of course, if you have enough time, many nearby tourist places like Ranikhet Kausani Almora and Corbett National Park, located at a distance of 60 kms to 100 kilometres, can also be included in the itinerary.
Naina Devi Temple
Naina Devi Temple is located in Nainital and it is said about this temple that because of not inviting Lord Shiva to the Yagya by Maharaj Daksha, Mother Sati became very angry and jumped into the fire of the Yagya. Lord Shiva started circling the whole world carrying the body of Mother Sati on his shoulder. Mother Satis Nain fell in Nainital, hence the Shaktipeeth of Naina Devi was built here. Let us tell you here that there is also a Naina lake in Nainital named after him.