Travel-India

Nainital

Nainital is one of the most popular hill-stations in the state of Uttarakhand in India. Located around lake ‘Naini’ and surrounded by majestic mountains, Nainital is simply beautiful and photogenic.

Also known as ‘Lake City’ because of many lakes in and around it, like Naini Lake, Bhimtal, Sattal, Naukuchia Tal and Khurpa Tal, Nainital is filled with many wonders.

Nainital is as well known for its natural beauty as for many prestigious educational institutions there like Sherwood College, Sainik School, St. Joseph’s College, Wellesley school.

As the legend goes, Nainital was named after the local Goddess Naina Devi while many believe that the name was derived from the Naini Lake itself.

Developed during the British Raj era as a summer resort, Nainital was home to Jim Corbett, for many years, who penned down his fond memories of the place in his various books.

Surrounded by towering peaks of Kumaon Himalayan ranges with the emerald green Naini Lake situated in its heart, Nainital outdoes all hill-stations and has a distinct natural beauty charming one and all.

While the enthralling natural beauty of this hill-station is enough to keep one rapt and occupied in its admiration and appreciation, Nainital also offers serene boating rides in Naini Lake. One can also go for shopping at the Mall and explore tourist attractions in and around Nainital. The neighbouring deep woods offer many forest trails inviting and delighting the nature lovers.

Owing to splendid views, wonderful climate and a number of tourist attractions, Nainital pulls hordes of tourists and honeymooners and is overcrowded during peak season. Explore the places to visit in Nainital.

Legend associated with Nainital

Nainital figures in some ancient Hindu myths. In the ‘Manas khand’ of the Skand Puranas (hindu religious text about the life and works of Kartikeya, son of Lord Shiva and Parvati) Nainital is referred to as ‘Tri-rishi-sarovar’, i.e. the lake of the 3 sages – Atri, Pulastya and Pulaha, who on finding no water to quench their thirst dug up a hole at the location of the present day lake Naini and siphoned off water into it from Mansarovar, the sacred lake in Tibet.

Another legend associated with Nainital refers to Goddess Parvati who leapt into ‘yagna’ flames after she felt insulted by her father ‘King Daksha’ for not inviting her and Lord Shiva. Nainital is said to be one of the 64 Shakti Peethas or religious sites where parts of her charred body fell on earth while being carried by Shiva to Kailash parbat. Her emerald green eye is said to have fallen where we have Naini Devi temple today at the North end of the Naini Lake.