Nainital is another another gorgeous tourist destination in Uttarakhand. It is one of Uttarakhand’s many hill towns. It is situated in the Himalayan foothills of Kumaon. The Naini Lake, around which the town is built, gave the place its name. It is one of the select few locations that is open throughout the year. Nainital is also known as the City of Lakes since it has numerous lovely lakes. It’s breathtaking to see these lakes encircled by mountains covered with snow. The location is a naturalist’s heaven. The Naini Lake features in a number of tales. It is thought to have religious significance. According to a well-known tale, the lake is where the ashes of Goddess Sati’s eyes fell after she passed away while being carried by Lord Shiva. As a result, the location is revered. Following their defeat in the Anglo-Nepali war, the British took control of it. The area has previously been ruled by various outsiders who were not a member of the main monarchy.
OVERVIEW
Location: Uttarakhand
Area: 11.73 km2 (4.53 sq mi)
Nearest Railhead: Kathgodam railway station
Nearest Airport: Pantnagar Airport
How to reach: 285 km (177 mi) from Dehradun
Famous for: Lake
Months open: All year
Best time to visit: March to June
WHAT TO SEE
What’s Here: Nainital Lake, Snow View, Tiffin Top, G B Pant High Altitude Zoo
Culture
Due to the many different ethnicities of the residents, the area has a distinctive and varied culture. The locals are fluent in several languages, including Hindi, Bhoti, English, Garhwali, and others. The area is home to a variety of dance styles, including Chholiya, Langvir Nritya, Barada Nati Hurka, and Baul Jhumaila. The locals are skilled in playing the Dhol, Dholki, Daur, Thali, Turri, and other instruments. Dance and music are both deeply rooted in this practice of spirit worship, with Jagar being one of the most well-known forms. The region is also known for its ballad music.
What to eat
Wheat is a staple food of the region. The region has good vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. The people of Uttarakhand eat coarse grain food but even that is worth having. The spice mix and food preparation are different here and yet the food has a good taste. A crop by the name of Jhingora is quite popular in the region. It is buckwheat and dishes made of it taste quite delicious. The food here is cooked in desi ghee and mustard oil making it quite healthy. Even the sweets of Uttarakhand like Bal Mithai, Gulgula, and others are quite famous.
Where to go
Naini Lake called Nainital in Hindi is what gives name to the city. The lake is a huge freshwater lake and is considered to be holy. The lake is spread over an area of 2 sq miles. The lake is filled by 23 drains that make sure that it has water throughout the year. Skand Purana is said to mention a Trishul Sarovar which is believed to be a reference to this lake. The lake is the most visited tourist place in the city. several hours can be spent by the lake. Sat Tal, Bhimtal, and Naukuchiyatal are the other important lakes of the city. These lakes are popular not only among tourists but also among locals. The weather at these lakes is pleasant can hours be spent here. the view of the lakes and their surroundings is astonishing at all times during the day. Sariyatal is another of the popular lakes in the city. Nanina Devi temple is a popular attraction of Nainital. The temple is dedicated to Devi Naina. The idol is represented only by two eyes. There is an idol of Goddess Kali and Lord Ganesha too in the temple. the temple today is the renovated temple as the original temple was destroyed during the landslides of 1880. China Peak is one of the most frequented places in Nainital. It is also known as Naina Peak. The height of the peak is 2615 m. The view from the top of this peak is beyond imagination. Not only the view but also the journey to the top of the peak is worth experiencing. From the peak, one can see even the Tibetan borders. Wildlife lovers would be interested in visiting the city. The jungles around Nainital are home to several species of fauna. This also includes rare species of animals and birds. The jungles in the region are Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary, High Altitude Zoo, Jim Corbett National Park, and others. Jeolikot, Ramgarh, Snow Peak, eco cave garden, Raj Bhavan, Hanuman Garhi, and several others are nice places that one can visit in and around Nainital.
How to reach
The airport at Jolly Grand and Pantnagar is the closest to Nainital. From here regular bus services are available to reach Nainital. A taxi is also available from the airport to reach Nainital. The station of Kathgodam is closest to Nainital. The railway station at Kathgodam is well-connected to the rest of the country. There are regular trains to Kathgodam from Dehradun, Rishikesh, Delhi, Kolkata, and other towns and cities of the country. Nainital is well connected to the nearby towns and cities like Gangotri, Dehradun, Rishikesh, Mussoorie, and others via road. Regular bus services from nearby towns and cities are there to reach Nainital. A taxi is also available to reach the town.
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