Nainital is a town in the indian state of Uttarakhand and headquarters of Nainital district in the Kumaon foothills of the outer Himalayas. Set amidst the towering peaks of the Kumaon Hills, the lake resort of Nainital has a lot to offer. From boating to feeding animals at the zoo; from picnicking on the hills to exploring Jim Corbett’s home, Nainital has all that you could hope for in a hill station.
Nainital is set in two parts, Tallital and Mallital, with the lake separating them. Tallital is the southern side of the lake, while Mallital consists of the northern upper reaches. The town was destroyed during the Landslip of 1880, and later rebuilt by the British. It is renowned for its lake, bird’s-eye views, and prestigous educational institutions.
Climate
The weather in Nainital is quite pleasant. Summers are mildly warm and temperatures may reach 22 C. During winters, temperatures are generally sub-zero. The town receives snowfall during December and January.
History
It is believed that Nainital figures in some ancient myths of India. In the Manas Khand of the Skand Puranas, Nainital Lake is called Tri-Rishi-Sarovar, hinting at the story of three sages (or rishis), Atri, Pulastya and Pulaha, who, upon finding no water in Nainital, dug a large hole at the location of the present day lake (sarovar = lake) and filled it with water from the holy lake Manasarovar in Tibet. According to lore, a dip in Naini Lake, “the lesser Manasarovar,” earns merit equal to a dip in the great lake.
Get in
The nearest railway station is Kathgodam, 35 km away.
There are daily bus services from Delhi. The buses leave from ISBT Anand Vihar and are run by Uttarakhand Roadways.
Driving to Nainital takes 7 to 8 hours. From Delhi, it’s highway driving throughout. NH 24 connects Delhi to Rampur via Hapur. At Rampur, turn and head north on NH 87 all the way upto Nainital. En-route halts include the Wonderland, Rwy crossing, Moradabad and The Cottage, Jeliokot.
Contrary to popular belief, flying into Nainital is the fastest way to reach the hill station. Nainital is served by PantNagar Airport, located about 2 hours away. It is served only by Jagson airlines. It is one of the least busy airports in the country, handling only 6 scheduled flights a week.
Get around
There are a few cycle rickshaws in town. Rates are fixed.However, there is no better way to explore Nainital than on foot. The mall has smooth pavements, making it extremely pedestrian-friendly. During the summer season, all traffic is denied entry on the mall from 6 to 9 pm, making the road a pedestrian’s dream. The town is not very large and there are some very interesting shops and emporiams on the mall, making the walk a pleasure.
See
- Snow View, Sher-Ka-Danda Ridge. Located at an altitude of 2270 m, Snow View offers spectacular views of the Naina Devi Peak. It can be reached by the Aerial Express Ropeway. Round trip:Rs 50. One-way: Rs 30.
- Nanda Devi Temple, Naini Lake. The temple was destroyed during the Landslip of 1880, and was later rebuilt. It is located on the lake’s northern shore.
- St. John in the Wilderness, Mallital. This charming church was named and founded by the Bishop of Calcutta.
- Tiffin Top, Aryapatta Hill. Altitude: 2292 m. To get here you can drive up to Sherwood College and then continue on a short scenic walk.
- Gurney House, Aryapatta Hill. This was the former home of Jim Corbett. It has been converted into a museum and houses Corbett memorabilia.
- Guano Hills, Pangot. These hills in the Pangot village are excellent for walks through forests of thick oak, bamboo and deodar. Some rare birds such as the grey woodpecker and black-chinned babbler are found in the forests.
Do
- Boating in Naini Lake is a must. Paddle boats can be hired by the hour. You can also hire a yacht from the Nainital Boat Club.
- Shopping – There are two main shopping areas, The Mall and Barra Bazaar. Traditional buys have included shawls, scarves, cardigans and local jams.
- Feed the animals at the Nainital Zoo, where you will find some high-altitude species that are native to the region. The zoo has an interesting sponsorship programme where you can sponsor the maintenance and food of the animal of your choice.
- Explore the caves: 2 Kms further up from Mallital (northern end of the lake) is a cave complex. This consists of a series of caves which get narrower as you progress. People who are claustrophobic should not explore the later ones and there is a facility to get out after every cave.
- Trek to Naina/China Peak, the highest point in the region(8622ft). You can get scenic views of the whole region. Hiking there takes around 60 mins and is not so strenuous. Also you can see a panoramic view of snow capped himalayas further north (in sep, oct and nov only). On the top of the mountain u can find a small tea shop serving bread omelet, some biscuits, tea and coffee for a reasonable price. Not many people go there and so its a good option to escape from this busy, greedy world
- Trek to Tiffin’s Top. Its a slightly touristy place and you can feel the rush there. You can get on a horse also to go to the top. But its not so tough to hike there. On the top of this hill, one can find all kinds of shops.
- Mountain Rovers. If you have a time and want to do some adventure activity.Mountain Rovers can arrange for you camping,Treeking,Rock climbing and lots more.
The pictures you have shared bring out the real feel of nainital. I went back to my school days in Sherwood for some 10mins while going through this link. Thanks for sharing it. It’s a must see place for those who want to go to a hill station or view real scenic beauty. It’s simply beautiful.
amazing photos,i wish i could be there
No other place (except Kashmir) in India – can compare Nainital.
Very,very amazed and astonished.
Wow…..it’s beautiful, I want go there somedays!
hi
the photographs are really beautiful,
i appriciate the patience while taking the above photographs.
wish u good luck,
keep mailing.
thanks and regards
shambunath.
breath taking photos. almost we are there. passion to visit increased tenfold.
Thanks. They are really amazing
Wow…..it’s beautiful, I want go there somedays! AND
Very,very amazed and astonished.No other place (except Kashmir) in India – can compare Nainital.
Wow!I will go here for my Honeymoon istead of Switzerland.
these photographs are as good if not better than the original , is all i can say as i have visited these places since 1969
NAINITAL …. LAKE IA NAME AFTER NAINA DEVI,. If any body want to visit nainital , he or she must go at the end of december and begining of january.Then can enjoy snow fall. Woowwww !!!!! so nicw it is I cant esxplain . I love NAINITAL verry much . Enjoey summer , enjoy autom , enjoy winter .
I >>>>> LOVE>>>>>>>> NAINITAL >>>>>>
I ………..LOVE ……..NAINITAL……….NAINITAL
PRANATI MITRA
this place is worth going on a holiday for, lovely
very very luxurious place. one must have to visit once in his life.
Wow…….it’s AMAZING…….I must visit this place & thanks for sharing this views.Thanks Priyanka.
Really nice snaps n a cool n sexi place to go ….
Ive always heard about nainitaal from two of my frndz ….as he n she belongs to dat place only. but never ever gotta chance to get there …. wish if I cud c it once …
thanks to u … u took me there via these snaps ….
Sumeet
The pictures I have seen above is the real nature of nainital. Thanks for sharing it. It’s a must see place for those who want to go to a hill station or view real scenic beauty. It’s simply beautiful.
thanks for information and nice photos of NAINITAL
i am from utteracnchal but unfortunatly not there now . Profession snatched my homestate from me.
Pet ka swaal hai , I am living in delhi among concrete structure and hot weather….
God gave me utteranchal as Janmbhoomibut kicked me to Delhi
This place is one of GOD’s OWN residences.
Life’s sorrows are for gotten if only one will go and stay here for some period of time…
hi the photographs are really beautiful, i appriciate the patience while
ashish mujumdar
hi
the photographs are really beautiful,
i appriciate the patience while taking the above photographs.
wish u good luck,
keep mailing.
thanks and regards
ashish
nainital is good place and these photo showing real beauty
I think after heaven Nanital is best
awesomely awesome…….bula pinaka…….fijian style
excellent photographs.however i have not visited naitilal and if i want tostay there for a week, kindly inform me the budget requirements considering that i am a middle class person. i will be planning to visit with my wife.
very useful information, planing for next vacation
This place is one of GOD’s OWN residences
We would like to go trekking and nearby places . City is good for stay. Shopping shouldnot be criteria at any hill station.
Rajendra Karnawat, Bangalore
Beautiful place for trekking and relax
The lush green scenic beauty takes me to the spiritual heigts where one can realise nature.
I didn’t knew it is so beautiful
i had been there once with my friends…………v have parted now…..but these photos always make me miss those days n those moments so much…………….they cant juz stop bringing tears to my eyes……..
where nice article
very nice article………………. And i will be there on my next summer vacation……… thanks to the work………
i had been there once with my rajee v have parted now…because he is a busy man now he doesnt want to take leave ..but these photos always make me miss those days n those moments so much…………….they cant juz stop bringing tears to my eyes…….now v are grown up i’m gonna miss those days forever.
Hi im richa my name is sweet, but i’m bit bore. but looking to these photographs i’m feeling like i also would have been with kishant n rajee. The lush green scenic beauty takes me to the spiritual heigts where one can realise nature .Life’s sorrows are for gotten if only one will go and stay here for some period of timeWow…….it’s AMAZING…….I must visit this place. Very,very amazed and astonished.Really nice snaps n a cool n sexi place to go ….
I >>>>> LOVE>>>>>>>> NAINITAL >>>>>>
I ………..LOVE ……..NAINITAL……….NAINITAL
.
the picture quality increase the enjoy more
i have travelled many times to nanital but watching these good and beyond real pictures iwant to visit nainital once more.
Nanital a Very BEAUTIFUL,it can be Compared as Heaven on Earth.
I will enjoy my honeymoon in nainital. It is really a nice place.
I thank god as i am able to visit nainital every year. Every year its a new experience in nainital. I wish if could get a good company to visit again very soon.
very nice place nainital summer vacation place and beautifull,,,,,,,,
the place is aewesome. A must see for every city dwellers
very nice place. can anybody tell the nearest places also to visit
Hello Sir,
very nice place nainital summer vacation place and beautifull,,,,,,,,
WBR
Jaspreet Singh Dua
Good Night Sir,
These photo are awesome revised my college days with my friends on nanital tour………
INSHALLAH I’LL VISIT NAINITAL ONCE.. I LOVE MATHERAN
YRRR THESE R REALLY GUD PHOTOS OF NAINITAL SERIOUSLY AMAZING
wow itz beautifulllllllll
i live in Austria, but now i want to see nanital.so beautiful,mujhe nahi pta tha ki mere desh mein bhi itni beauti hai. love it.
NANITAL MY DREAM LAND.
its really beautiful.i want to go this place. its like heaven.
I love this place & i never forget Nainital tour in my whole life>i got everything in this place.nainital wwaaaoooooooooooo
wow itz beautiful…..I love this place & i never forget Nainital.. Every year its a new experience in nainital…
nainital is my fvrt place n i loved it alottt…..i olwyz wn to go der…..thnx fo sharing ol dese nyc picz.
I can’t open any pic