Vacatioins in Nainital Hill Station
Distance : 306km from Delhi, 307km from Lucknow, 353km from
Agra, 527km from Allahabad
Population : 33,000+
Altitude : 1938m
Temperature : Min -2oC, max 40oC
Time To Visit : March to June, mid-September to October
¤ Naini Lake
 Surrounded
by forested mountains, Naini Lake forms the core of the small hill
town of Nainital. The town itself is spread out in tiers, and is one
of the most picturesque hill stations in North India.
Situated in the Lower Himalayas, this hill station is the
headquarters of the Kumaon region, and of Nainital district. The town
offers much to the visitor; there are horse and pony rides along the
lake, boating and sailing on the lake, a skating rink, a ropeway that
goes to Snow View, and a Boat Club on the northern lake shore.
A crowded shopping mall on the lake’s eastern shore, caters to
the tourists’ passion for mementos, who have come on their travel
vacations in the panoramic valley of Nainital.
¤ Legendary Tale of Naini Lake
There is an interesting legend about Naini Lake. A local fable speaks
of a terrible, snake-like ‘monster’ that lives in the green
waters of the lake. Locals also believe that whoever swims to the
centre of the lake will either be devoured by this monster, or will be
trapped by weeds, and drown.
Although this monster has never been sighted so far, locals
vehemently insist that it exists. However, the lake forms a pretty
sight at night, when thousands of Nainital’s twinkling lights are
reflected in its placid waters.
Nainital comes alive during summer, with school students and tourists
flocking to the place on their vacations. Unfortunately, this makes
Nainital a little crowded as well.
¤ Other Places of Interest
Apart from the 500m broad and 2.4km long Naini Lake, Nainital is
famous for its residential educational institutions such as St Mary’s
Convent, St Joseph’s College, Sherwood College and Birla Vidya
Mandir. Believed to be some of the premier institutions in India,
these schools are closed during winter, when it snows heavily.
However, there is nothing much that is architecturally outstanding in
Nainital, apart from colonial mansions. The Boat Club in Mallital on
the northern end of the lake, was established in 1890 as the Nainital
Club. The Club offers temporary membership that allows members to use
its spacious lounge and bar, and arranges for boat rides on the lake.
Also in s is a market, the Naina Devi Temple, and the Flats with a
skating rink, a cinema hall, and a bus stand. The original Naina Devi
Temple was destroyed in the 1880 landslide, then rebuilt. The temple
is also the venue for an annual festival held in honour of Lord Shiva’s
wife, Parvati. In summer, hockey, cricket and football matches are
played the Flats.
¤ Famous Structures
Amongst the interesting buildings in Nainital is the Government
House, built in 1899, and now known as the Secretariat. The gardens of
the Uttar Pradesh Governor’s residence, the Raj Bhawan, are open
to the public. The Church of St John in the Wilderness is located at
the northern end of Nainital. Built in 1844, the church was so named
by the Bishop of Calcutta, who lived in a mud hut in the forest after
falling ill while visiting Nainital. The altar inside the church is
inscribed with names of the 1880 landslides’ victims. Other
churches in Nainital are the Methodist Church and the St Francis
Church, both on the Mall.
At a height of 2,610m, Naina Peak (Cheena Peak) is a quiet place from
where the Nanda Devi peak and the mountains on the Tibet border can be
viewed. A ropeway from the Bara Bazaar (Mallital Bazaar) leads to Snow
View, which also offers a spectacular view of the Himalayas. The
Hanuman Temple on the road to Haldwani, the Astronomical Observatory,
Sanjay Park (botanical gardens), Barrah Patthar (12 stones), Tiffin
Top, Dorothy’s Seat and Land’s End are other interesting
places to visit in Nainital. The best way to reach these places is to
walk, or on ponyback.
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