Nainital Travel Guide

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Naini, a word that brings the cool air with its name, is a secret hide out of the tourists each year. Situated at an altitude of 1,938 M, this dreamland town with its beauteous splendour is one of the most popular summer resorts of the country. The nucleus of Nainital's exquisite beauty is her lake which is a haven for water sports like Yachting, Kayaking, Canoeing and Boating.

Historical Background
Nainital is referred to in the ‘Manas Khand’ of the ‘Skanda Purana’ as the Tri-Rishi-Sarovar, the lake of the three sages , Atri, Pulastya and Pulaha, who were reputed to have arrived here on a penitential piligrimage and finding no water to quench their thirst dug a hole and siphoned water into it from Mansarovar lake in Tibet.

The Second important mythological reference to Nainital is as one of 64 ‘Shakti Peeths’.These centres were created wherever parts of charred body of Sati fell, when Lord Shiva was carrying around her corpse in grief. It is said that the left eye (Nain) of Sati fell here and this gave rise to patron deity of town Nainital. It is said that the lake is formed in the emerald eye shape . Naina Devi temple is located at the northern end of the lake. Thus name of Nainital derivated from Naina and the Tal (Lake).

Getting There
Air
The nearest airport to Nainital is Pantnagar, abut 70 Km away. Pantnagar is conected with Delhi and Lucknow airports by regular flights.
Rail
The nearest railway station is at Kathgodam (35 km) which is connected by trains from Delhi, Howrah, Mumbai, Lucknow and Ahmedabad. The narrow gauge trains come from Lalkuan which is 55 kms from Nainital.
Road
Nainital is connected to the cities of Uttaranchal by the extensive roadways network. The city is connected to NH 87. Regular buses run from Delhi, Agra, Dehradun, Haridwar, Lucknow, Kanpur & Bareilly. Besides, luxury coaches are available from Delhi for Nainital. Distances of some major cities from Nainital are Almora- 64 Km, Kathgodam- 34 Km, Bareilly- 140 Km, Lucknow- 400 Km, Agra- 403 Km, Delhi- 310 Km, Dehradun- 300 Km and Haridwar- 245 Km.

Tourist Attractions
Tallital and Mallital
The lake in the middle of the city is the main attraction of Nainital. The lake at south end is called Tallital and at north end is called Mallital. The city of Nainital is developed around this lake. The lake offers yatching and cool boat rides in its waters. A unique feature of the lake is that it hosts the only Post Office on a lake bridge in whole world. An evening walk on the road, on the banks of the lake, gives an unforgettable experience.

Sattal
Literally meaning seven lakes is a group of small lakes nested together, about 23 kms from Nainital at an altitude of (1370 MT) still untouched by modernisation, one can see the natural beauty at its best.

Naini Peak
Five kilometres from the lake lies the Naina Peak. It is the highest peak bordering the lake. A popular picnic spot, the peak offers a panoramic view of the resort and a stunning view of the Himalayas including Nanda Devi and the mountains on the Tibetan border.

Hanuman Garhi
Three kilometres south of Tallital lies Hanuman Garhi, where there is a small temple dedicated to Lord Hanuman. The place is also a good spot for viewing the sunset.

Naukuchiatal
About 4 kms from Bhim Tal lies the mystique lake with 9 corners. Surrounded by dense forested hills on all sides it provides solace from the maddening rush of the plains.

Accommodations
Nainital, the famous hill resort, has the best of stay facilities in Uttaranchal. High end as well low end hotels are sprawling in and around the city. KMVN has established several guest houses and tourists rest houses in Nainital, which offer standard stay facility.