Nainital

Naini, a word that almost brings the cool air with it is a secret hide out of the tourists each year. Situated at an altitude of 1,938mtrs, this dreamland town with its beauteous splendour is one of the most popular tourist resorts of the country. Nainital is a glittering jewel in the Himalyan necklace, blessed with scenic natural splendour and varied natural resources. Dotted with lakes, Nainital has earned the epithet of 'Lake District' of India. The most prominent of the lakes is Naini lake ringed by hills. Nainital has a varied topography. Nainital�s unending expense of scenic beauty is nothing short of a romance with awe-inspiring and pristine mother nature.

History of Nainital

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 the sacred 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).

Tourist Attractions of Nainital

Lake

The nucleus of Nainital�s exquisite beauty is beautiful lake .In the day ,mirrored in its waters stand seven proud hills,dotted with pretty cottages and villas . This reflection alone holds one spell bound. More beautiful than this however is the lake at night when the myriads of bulbs from the hill sides and quite a large number hanging near the lake�s edge stab their magic light into its waters. The north end of lake is called Mallital while the southern one is called Tallital which have a bridge (Danth popularly named) having Gandhiji's statue and post office on its sides .It is the only Post Office on the lake bridge in whole of the world.

The Mall

On one of side of lake run the Mall road now named Govind Ballabh Pant Marg. It is lined up by many hotels ,reataurents,travel agencies , shops ,banks and other business concerns. In summer months of May & June Mall road is closed for vehicular traffic in evening hours to facilitate Mall strolling which is the famous attraction for all the tourists. This road is the main link joining Mallital and Tallital. On the other side of the lake lies the Thandi Road . It is comparatively less busy and have Pashan devi temple. Vehicles are not allowed on Thandi Road .

The Flatts

At the northern side of the lake there is a place of rendezvous for people from all walks of life. There is a statue of Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant and a beautiful fountain . There is a band stand. The Flats has playing ground used for sports games and cultural activities during festivals. There is Chat Bazar,Bhotia Market in the flats. In Bhotia Market vendors sell their fancy items.There is Mosque, Gurudwara and Naina Devi temple in flatts.

Zoo

Govind Ballabh Pant High Altitude Zoo has  Monkeys, Himalayan black bear, Leopard, Siberian Tiger, Palm civet cat, Wolf, Silver Pheasants, Rose ringed Prakeet, Hill Fox, Ghoral, Barking Deer, and Sambhar.

Aerial Ropeway

It is one of the main attractions of Nainital. This ropeway connects Snow-View Point (at 2270 Mts.) with Nainital near flats. Aerial ropeway starts at Mallital, there are two trolleys to carry passengers.

Horse Riding

Horse riding is another important attraction for tourists in Nainital. Horses can be hired at Barapatthar. Several tourist use horses as their transport mode to visit the different peaks of Nainital. Horse Riding is now strictly prohibitted inside the Nainital town.

Governor�s House (Raj Bhavan)

Raj Bhavan was built by British as residence of Governor of North West Province. Now Raj Bhavan is the official accommodation of Governor (Uttarakhand). State guests coming to Nainital also use it for their stay. It consists of a marvelous garden, Golf Links, Swimming Pool.Jhandidhar Modi Heights,Munshi heights are the other places in the complex worth seeing .The Governor�s House was built in the line of Buckingham Palace having double storied 113 rooms.

Caves Garden

This feature is the latest addition in the list of numerous tourism spots in Nainital. It is located in Sukha Tal around one Km from Mallital very near to Kumaun University Campus.

Hanuman Garhi

It is around 3.5 Kms away from the bus stop at an altitude of 1951 Mts. Hanuman Garhi is a religious centre and famous for its sun set view. One can go to Hanuman Garhi by taxi, bus or even on foot from Nainital. It has a temple complex presiding deity being Lord Hanuman besides Ram and Shiva. At the instance of Neem Karoli Baba around 1950 these temples were built. On the other side of the hill there is Shitala Devi temple and Ashram of Lila Sah Bapu.

Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences(ARIES)

It is the centre of astronomical studies and optical tracking of artificial satellites. Observatory was established at Nainital in 1955 and shifted to present location of Manora Peak in 1961. The primary objective of the observatory has been to develop facilities for modern astrophysical research in stellar, solar & theoretical branches of astrophysics.

Snow View

It is the most easily accessible hill top, height 2270 mts. and at a distance of 2.5 Km from the town. The spot is accessible through ropeway . This peak is also connected by motor able road. Snow view as the name suggests offers an indescribably beautiful and breath taking picture of the glittering snows of Himalyas. It has a temple.

Naina Peak or China Peak

Naina peak is the highest peak of the town, at an altitude of 2611 mts and at a distance of 6 Kms from the town. It has the view of sparkling snow laden Himalayas from Bandar Punch in west to Api and Nari peaks of Nepal in the east, a full Himalayan range in one side and a birds eye view of the lake city of Nainital in its full grandeur on the other.

Lands End

Its altitude is 2118 mts and it is located at about 4 Kms from the town. The best feature of this spot is that one does not have to climb much and as the name suggests one feels on reaching the area that the end of the land has really come.

Dorothy Seat & Tiffin Top

The road to this picnic spot crawls along the rugged hill side swaying this way & that, and than all in one breadth in hushed silence suddenly unfolds a canvas on which nature has painted this beautiful spot. Tiffin Top commands an excellent view of the Himalayas as well as the neighboring country side. Dorothy seat which gives an excellent view, is a memorial to an English lady painter Dorothy Kellet built by her husband.

Kilbury

At an altitude of 2194 mts. and 10 Kms. from the town this place is accessible by a motor able road. Kilbury is an ideal spot for a quiet and peaceful holiday.