Nainital - The Lake District

Nainital - The beautiful lake resort nestles amidst seven hills in a lush valley at an altitude of 1938 metres. In 1841, the British first discovered Nainital as a holiday resort. Today, the town has emerged as one of the most important hill resorts of India.

Nainital is a modem hill resort of northern India (336 kms from Delhi) connected by best-aligned and maintained roads from the railhead of Kathgodam. Railway line was laid upto Kathgodam in 1882. The road passes through forests where occasionally wild animals can also be seen.

"Naini" is derived from the temple of goddess Naini which was built on the bank of the lake but later got destroyed due to land slides in the year 1880, The place is mentioned 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 could not find any water. Thereafter, they thought of Man Sarover and dug a hole which at once got filled with water. The lake then formed was called Tri-Rishi Tal (The lake of three sages). Today it has an impressive lake surrounded by the hills from three sides with highest peak Cheena (2610 m) and the valley in between running from east to west. The lake is a little more than 3 kms in circumference.

Nainital remains packed from April to November with tourist for sight seeing as well as for seeking escape from the heat of the plains. Naini lake has facilities for boating and yatching. Facilities for horse riding, skating, golf and rock climbing are also available for the visitors. Fishing is also permitted with the permission of local authorities. Talli Tal and Malli Tal are the two main trading centre at Nainital.

General Information about Nainital

Area: 11.73 sq kms.
Population: 30951 (1991 census),
Altitude: 1,929 mtr.
Tempertature : Summer 10.6° c to 26.7° c.
Rainfall: Average 2794 mm.

Best season to visit: March to June and Mid-September to the end of October. Clothing: Summer - Light Woollen/Cottons, Winter: Heavy woollen. Language Spoken: Hindi, English and Kumaoni.

Places to See Around Nainital

Dorothy Seat: (2,292 m) (4 km). a memorial to an English lady believed to have been killed in an air crash stands here. The spot commands a partial view of the town and the nearby region.

Hanumangarhi : (1, 951 m) 3 km. A popular place for worship in the temple of lord Hanuman and its Sun-set view.

Khurpatal : (1,635 m) 5 to 10 kms. This is an angler’s paradise on Nainital-Kaladhungi-Ramnagar Road. It is here that the conifers belt merges and gives way to the Sal trees. Fishing permits are available from Deputy Commissioner, Nainital.

Kilbury: (2,194 m) 10 kms. A wooded spot, ideal for a quiet and peaceful holidays, which is connected by road.

Lariakanta : (2, 481 m) 6 kms. This is the second highest peak of Nainital and commands a glorious view of the lake region.

Land's End: (2,1l8 m) 4.08 kms. One can have magnificent view of Khurpatal and the terraced fields on the hill side.

Naini Peak: (2,611 m) (Cheena Peak) 6 kms. Most favoured picnic spot of the town. One can view the distant plains and snow clad Himalayas from the peak. A bird's eye view of the lake is also obtainable from here. One can either trek or go on a horse back upto Naina Peak.

Naini Lake: The boat club overlooking the lake offers sailing facilities and also boating. Fishing is allowed with the permission of Executive Officer, Municipal Board, Nainital.

Snow-View: (2270 m). 3 km. This is the nearest easily accessible peak on Sher-ka-Danda hill connected by Ropeway. A powerful telescope is fixed here which enables one to view the Himalayan ranges.

State Observatory: (1951 m). 4.4 kms. Devoted to astronomical studies and optical tracking of artificial and earth satellites.

Nainital Ropeway : Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam has since installed the most sophisticated ropeway at Nainital which is the first of its kind in India. The ropeway covers a distance of 705 metres with an altitude gain of 300 metres. Carrying a maximum load of 825 kgs or 12 persons in each of its two cars, the ropeway travels at a maximum speed of 6 mts/ sec. It also has the unique adaptability to travel at a speed as low as 0.5 mts/sec. The ropeway can be operated both electronically and mechanically and in case of emergency by the cabin attendent too.

Hotels and Resorts in Nainital

Nainital Luxury Hotels

• The Naini Retreat, Nainital
• Manu Maharani, Nainital

Nainital Deluxe Hotels

• Shervani Hilltop Inn, Nainital
• Hotel Alka, Nainital
• Arif Castles, Nainital
• Elphinestone Hotel, Nainital
• Vikram Vintage Inn , Nainital
• Classic The Mall, Nainital
• Dynasty Resort, Khurpatal
• Fairhavens (Chevron Hotel & Resorts), Nainital
• Hotel New Pavilion, Nainital

Nainital Standard Hotels

• Hotel Krishna , Nainital
• Manu Maharani Lodge
• Radha Continental , Nainital
• Balrampur House, Nainital
• The Hermitage Kailash , Nainita
• Hotel Aroma, Nainital