Nainital

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Nainital is a town in the Indian state of Uttarakhand and is the headquarters of district of Nainital, which rests in the arms of the Kumaon foothills of the outer Himalayas. Being one of India’s prime tourism and sightseeing destinations, the town is widely acclaimed for its picturesque views of the vast plain to the south, the massive and tangled ridges ascending to the north, and bounding it all, the mighty white-capped Central Axis of the Himalayas at the corner of your eyes.

The heart of the Nainital experience is the Naini Lake, named for the emerald green eyes of the Goddess Parvati, the second consort of the Lord Shiva and the patron goddess of the region. It is believed that the lake is one of the 64 Shakti Peeths, or religious sites where parts of the charred body of Sati (Parvati) fell to earth while being carried by Lord Shiva. The place where Sati's eyes (or Nain) landed came to be called Nain-tal, or the Lake of the Eye. The goddess Shakti is worshipped at the Naina Devi Temple on the north shore of the present day lake.

On one side of this lake, a carpet of dense trees and foliage rises from the shores and climbs the hills toward the sky. Another side, however, has a well populated and connected tourist township. The blue sky and the stunning green of the Queen of Lakes are bracketed by forested hills, making Nainital not only a fantastic summer retreat, but also a stunning place to visit in winter.

Over the years, millions of people have been captivated by the charm of this place built somewhere near the roof of the world. Apart from the Mall, which is a street lined with shops and eating joints that are frequented by tourists and sightseers from India and other countries, there are several other tourist and sightseeing places in and around Nainital that must be seen, if you haven’t.

There are 7 other easily accessible lakes around Nainital that are just as rustic and gorgeous as the Naini Lake itself, Bhimtal, Naukuchiatal and Sattal are famous. There are also the mind-blowing views of Snow View and Tiffin Top (Dorothy’s Seat), that attract many avid photographers and sightseers every year.

In Nainital itself, there is also a rope-way with a splendid view, and an abundance of facilities for boating, horse riding, skating, video games and many other fun activities. The Zoo in Nainital is also well-known and maintained, with clean and healthy animals kept in huge enclosures, giving the entire experience a very jungle feel.

Even beyond this, the hill-station has a lot to offer to any vacationer or tourist. Many tourist destinations claim to be a ‘once in a lifetime’ experience, but Nainital truly is like a good wine that you can enjoy year after year.