Lake District of India: Nainital

Sara Gogna

Lake District of India: Nainital

The city of lakes is one of the most majestic towns that India calls it's own. Being one of the most popular hill stations in all of India and around the world as well, Nainital is a postcard-picture-perfect town. It just isn’t eye candy for the tourists but the locals also could never grow tired of watching the town work its magic each sunrise and sunset.

Nainital is also an amazing spot for sightseeing; Source: eUttranchal

Nainital is situated in the Kumaon Hills of the Himalayas. It’s surrounded by seven different hills. This concept is popularly known as ‘Sapta-Shring’. The Sapta-Shring consists of Ayarpata, Deopatra, Naina, Lariya-Kanta, Handi-Bandi, Alma, and Sher-Ka-Danda. Yes, these don't sound like the names of hills of the great Himalayan range but facts are facts. Here, there’s only one thing to say. ‘Don’t see the words, shift your gaze to the beautiful and serene Nainital that these hills have to offer.’

Mythologically, it is said that Nainital came into existence due to the death of the goddess Sati. Since it was by the hands of Vishnu Ji that Goddess Sati met her sad fate, it was believed that Vishnu Ji cut her body into 52 parts, all of which fell upon the surface of the Earth. The spot that Sati’s eyes fell on came to be known as ‘Nain-tal’ and further as Nainital. Nain-Tal means the lake of the eye. That is also believed to be the reason the city is set around an area containing an eye-shaped lake.

Besides the origin of the town through the mythological lens, Nainital has been a part of the Kumaon region. Eventually, when the division of the small princely state happened, Nainital was the last to get occupied by the Chand Dynasty.

Imagine this, your eyes are closed, the tip of your nose is red and cold, making you look cuter than you already are, winds touching your hair and you’re standing on one of the highest peaks of the towns as well as setting foot in the cottony snow, ready to be felt.

Nainital comes under the places that can give you a first-hand experience in what you just read. It’s also one of the most popular hill stations when one wants to visit and have fun in the cold winters of the mountains. As much as it is suitable to visit the town all year round, Nainital invites you to its snowy ground between March and June.

As exciting as it is to visit a place where Goddess Sati’s eyes were believed to have reached the plain of the Earth, Nainital has much more to offer than just mythological wonders. One of the biggest attractions this beautiful town has to offer is the Nainital Lake.

It is also surrounded by mountains, of which the highest peak is the Naina Peak, height of this peak being approximately 8579 ft. This peak offers one of the most outstanding views of the plains. The majestic beauty of the snowy range that this hill station becomes in March is something that would make anyone’s eyes sparkle instantly. Besides scenic beauty, the town has its own Nainital Yacht Club, Jama Masjid, the Naina Devi Temple, Eco Cave Gardens, and also Mall Road.