Written by: Divya Nadkarni
Nainital
The valley sunned itself all day, its span
Curving up two foothills; then the shadows
Crossed like wings across its back; further,
Ferries embroidered a slim lake, stitching
Silk into its cotton…
-Adil Jussawalla
Nestled in a valley at the Kumaon foothills of the outer Himalayas is a cosy town on the shores of the Naini Lake. Once a colonial summer getaway, the town is a curious blend of the times of yore – charming and laidback, and the present India – buzzing with life, with a thirst for adventure.
Nainital with its shimmering lakes, mountains and multitudinous cultures is one of the country’s favourite holiday spots. It is an upbeat little town with bustling markets, lots of quaint restaurants and places for your whole family to unwind.
Orientation
Nainital is located in Uttaranchal in the Kumaon foothills at an altitude of 1,938 meters above sea level, and is surrounded by mountains, the highest of which are Naina on the North, Deopatha on the West, and Ayarpatha on the South.
Weather
What makes Nainital special is that it is a perennial holiday destination – It is not dogged by extreme temperatures or rainfall – varying from 10 degree Celsius to 26 degrees Celsius in summer and from 15 degree to a minimum of -3 degrees in winter. However it does tend to get a little too crowded for comfort during peak visiting seasons. Particularly during winter the population nearly doubles as people from the bitter cold areas of Kashmir make the relatively warmer Nainital their winter home. It snows in Nainital between December and February – the lake and the trees speckled with snowflakes look as pretty as a picture.
Getting There
Distances from Major Cities
From Mumbai – 1558 km
From Delhi – 322 km
From Lucknow – 404 km
From Bareilly – 140 km
From Agra – 403 km
From Dehradun – 387 km
| By Road : |
Nainital is conveniently connected to all major state and national highways to the above places. There are regular state and private buses to and from Nainital. |
| By Rail : |
The nearest railway station is Kathgodam at a distance of 35 km. It is connected directly to Delhi, Lucknow, and Bareilly. From Howrah – Bareilly – Lucknow: Bagh Express From Delhi: Ranikhet Express |
| By Air : |
The nearest airport is Pantnagar, 71 km away. |
Pictures of Nainital
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Major Attractions
Naini Lake: This shimmering lake that takes the centre stage in Nainital is believed to be the eye of Lord Shiva’s wife Sati. The Naina Devi Temple t the lake is said to be the exact spot where the eye had fallen. Make sure you don’t miss the boat rides on the lake.
Tiffin Top: at about 4 km from the lake is a place called Tiffin Top, also known as Dorothy’s Seat, which offers a beautiful view of the whole lake. From there, a walk through the expanse of forest will lead you to Land’s end which is one of the most spectacular view points in Nainital.
Nainital Zoo: This small zoo on the hill, 15 minutes away from Tallital is a must see for wildlife lovers. It has large enclosures containing Himalayan animals like Siberian tigers and bears.
Snow View: A cable car runs up to a point at a height of about 270 meters, from where one can relish a breathtaking view of the Himalayas on a clear day. Nearby is a small monastery, the Gadhan Kunkyop Ling Gompa which is worth a visit too.
Ramgarh: At about 26 km from the main town is a rustic arcade nestled in the heart of Nainital’s peach and apple orchards. It is the fruit belt of the region; go there just to relish the fruits.
Markets: The main markets at Nainital and Tallital are a shopaholic’s paradise with rows of stalls with exquisite handmade jewellery, candles, pottery and other artefacts, attractive woollen garments, quaint crocheted knit bags and toys. The Tibetan Market there too is known for its authentic Tibetan handicrafts.