Nainital, Uttaranchal, India
PDF Nainital
Naini Lake
Nainital is a town in the Indian state of Uttarakhand and headquarters of Nainital district in the Kumaon foothills of the outer Himalayas. Situated at an altitude of 1,938 metres (6,358 feet) above sea level, Nainital is set in a valley containing a pear-shaped lake, approximately two miles in circumference, and surrounded by mountains, of which the highest are Naina (2,615 m (8,579 ft)) on the north, Deopatha (2,438 m (7,999 ft)) on the west, and Ayarpatha (2,278 m (7,474 ft)) on the south. From the tops of the higher peaks, magnificent views can be obtained of the vast plain to the south, or of the mass of tangled ridges lying north, bounded by the great snowy range which forms the central axis of the Himalayas.
Mythology
It is believed that Nainital figures in some ancient myths of India. In the Manas Khand of the Skand Puranas, Nainital Lake is called Tri-Rishi-Sarovar, hinting at the story of three sages (or rishis), Atri, Pulastya and Pulaha, who, upon finding no water in Nainital, dug a large hole at the location of the present day lake (sarovar = lake) and filled it with water from the holy lake Manasarovar in Tibet. According to lore, a dip in Naini Lake, “the lesser Manasarovar,” earns merit equal to a dip in the great lake.
It is also believed that Naini Lake is one of the 64 Shakti Peeths, or religious sites where parts of the charred body of Sati (Parvati) fell on earth while being carried by Lord Shiva. The spot where Sati’s eyes (or Nain) fell, came to be called Nain-tal or [lake of the eye.] The goddess Shakti is worshipped at the Naina Devi Temple on the north shore of the present day lake. The temple however is a post 1885 construction, evident from the photographs of that era.
About Nainital
Geography
In the Uttranchal, district of Nainital lies in the Kumaun division. To its north is Almora district and to its south lies the Udham Singh Nagar district. Champawat district flanks it in the east and district of Pauri Gahwal is in the west. It is located approximately in between 80º14’ and 78º80’ east longitude and 29º00’ and 29º05’ north latitude. On the northern side lies the Himalayan ranges while on the southern side lies the plains making the resultant climate of the district enjoyable one.
The total geographical area is 3422 km. Geographically the district is divided in to 2 zones – Hilly and Bhabar. The hilly region in outer Himalayas is known to geologist as Krol. The highest peak of the district is Baudhansthali 2623m high near Binayak adjoining Nainital town. The hilly region of the district. The hilly region of the district used to have big & small lakes – Bhimtal, Sattal, Naukuchiatal, Khurpatal, Nainital, Malwatal, Harishtal, Lokhamtal etc. are known lakes of bigger size.
The foothill area of the district is known as Bhabhar. The name Bhabhar is derived from a tall growing grass growing in the region. The underground water level is very deep in this region.
Kosi is the main river of the district. River Kosi arising out of Koshimool near Kausani flows on the western side of the district. There are number of smaller rivulets like Gaula, Bhakra, Dabka, Baur etc . Most of these have been dammed for irrigation purposes. Nainital district has good received good rainfall in recent years. As per 1999 records total average rainfall of district was 1338.08 MM while total average rainfall up to Aug. 2000 was 1602.69 MM.
Climate
Nainital has temperate summers, maximum temperature 27 °C (81 °F); minimum temperature 10 °C (50 °F), during which its population increases more than fivefold with an annual influx of tourists predominantly from the plains of Northern India. In the winter, Nainital receives snowfall between December and February with the temperatures varying between a maximum of 15 °C (59 °F) and a minimum of −3 °C (27 °F).
For more information on the following topics, please see our Nainital travel guide below:
- Getting there
- Getting around
- Sights & Sounds
- Restaurants
- Accommodation
- Shopping
- Useful Information
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Nainital, Uttaranchal A complete guide to Nainital, also known as the Lake District of Uttarakhand, is an absolutely beautiful and tranquil hill station situated amongst the seven hills. It is one of the most popular hill stations in North India.
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The view of peaks from Kausani is absolutely wonderful. But when the peaks are not visible, it looks like an ordinary town. Hope it doesn’t go down the way other hill stations take because of extra commercialization.