Nainital - Hill Station with Exotic Life

Surrounded by the beautiful scenic glimpses and crowned by some of the most impressive mountain ranges, Nainital is undoubtedly one of the most attractive hill stations in India.

Revealing beautiful aspects of nature in its pristine form - with valleys and deep blue water bodies, it has managed to attract the tourists across the planet. Also, providing close accessibility to the wildlife that populates this hill station is fun, exploration, and experience, all at the same time.

History

Anciently known as “Kadesh,” Nainital from ancient times has been known for the innumerable lakes that flow there. For this reason, it has also been titled as ‘Chatka’(the city of 60 lakes). Hugely popular amongst the Britishers, it became the site for the establishment of many British Schools in the late 19th century. It was first founded as a hill station in 1841 by P.Brron.

Geography

Located at an elevation of approximately 2,084 meters above the sea-level, it is a popular hill station in the state of Uttrakhand. Precisely, it is posited at the foothills of the Kumaon region. Spread across the area of 11.7-kilometer square, this former British Hill station expands over a massive land covering the earth with a beautiful blanket of greenery and fertility.

Climate

Nainital’s essential beauty lies in the fact that irrespective of the season, it remains an epitome of natural splendor. It is never too hot in Nainital. However, it might get too cold in winter, so carrying the right clothes is a wise step to take.

The general climatic conditions of Nainital are:

Minimum temperature: 12 degree Celsius (summers), 2 degree Celsius (winters)

Maximum temperature: 23 degree Celsius (summers), 19 degree Celsius (winters)

Best time to visit: October to March

Places to Visit

For the religious, adventurous, and meditative purposes, Nainital is an ideal place to visit. The place can never disappoint the people with a quest for other facets of tourism. It has many exciting tourists’- spots which fascinate and enthralls many visitors. Some of the famous sight-seeing places to go for are:

• Pt. G.B Pant High Altitude Zoo
• Kilbury Bird Sanctuary
• Nainital Lake (Nainital is also known as Lake-District)
• Nainital’s Governer’s House (it is an architectural beauty!)
• Naina Devi Temple

Activities to Undertake

When in Nainital, the exciting possibilities of whiling away time in an engaging manner are immense.

• Rope Climbing
• Experience sunset at Hanuman Garhi
• Trekking
• Wildlife exploration

Nightlife

As the sun goes down in this lively hill station, the nightlife takes over excitingly and thrillingly. It has multiple alternatives to keep one joyous and excited, even in the grim hours of the night.

Some of the places that can act as a respite from the boredom of inactivity are:

• Sakley’s Restaurant and Pastry Shop
• Embassy
• Boat House Club

Those who enjoy the ‘sense’ of the dark life and daring to venture out in the hills at night, going for overnight camping in Ayarpatta, is the best way to spend the night adventurously.

What to buy? - Shopping in Nainital

Nainital is a luxurious place when it comes to the availability of some of the rare – authentic products. From Mall Road, Tibetan Market, and Bara Bazaar, one can purchase items of all sorts - from a petty souvenir to classic jewels, Nainital offers everything at all ranges. Some of the most popular items, however, are:

• Local juices/squashes
• Ethnic Clothing
• Colorful Candles
• Himalayan Bags
• Wooden art crafts
• Besides all these things, one can find amazing alternatives to opt from if one seeks to buy woolen pullovers, Kashmiri Shawls, and cane-sticks.

Festivals

With various kinds of events, fairs, and activities going around the year, Nainital is never a stable, boring place. This wondrous hill station is always involved in gaiety and frivolities of festivals and spreads joy and harmony amongst the locals who become an exciting experience for the foreign tourists.

Some of the most exciting festivals/fairs celebrated in Nainital are:

• Basant Panchami (held in Jan-Feb)
• Nanda Devi Mela (held in September)
• Uttarani or Kale Kaua (held on 14th January)

The highly-artistic and cultural fairs of Nainital are:

• Sharadostav (Winter Fair)
• Devi Fair
• Ranibagh Fair

What to Eat

Along with the breath-taking views and adventurous, sporty activities, Nainital reigns the arena of food as well. The rich mountain-flavors intertwine with the unique recipes of the locals to add to the ‘delightful’ experience of the tourists.

Mouthwatering dishes/cuisines that are widely adored are:

• Arsa (a dessert)
• Aloo ka Gutke
• Black and White Roti
• Bhatt ki Churkani
• Badi

Accommodation

Within the canopy of a serene, blue sky and enveloped by the frenzy of wildlife and calm of traditional rituals, finding an excellent place to stay, which never poses itself as an issue to bother about. Nevertheless, the following hotels could be considered for a safe and luxurious experience in Nainital:

• Hotel Traveller’s Paradise Nainital
• Alpine Club
• The Lakeside Inn

With incredible, embalming surroundings, lip-smacking delicacies, and vivacious ‘snapshot’ of untamed wildlife, Nainital invites everybody, and the invitation is too irresistible to decline. Its natural heritage and historical significance make the tourist curious to unravel its mysterious beauty and magical aura. To have a fabulous experience of what residing at a hill station may be like, one can surely visit Nainital and explore the vital dimensions of India’s natural treasure.