Credit: Travel is To Live
Nainital Lake, also called Naini Lake, is a beautiful freshwater lake located in the state of Uttarakhand. A tectonic lake was formed due to the movement of the earth’s crust, which receives water from the natural springs that flow during the monsoon from the surrounding seven hills; Balia Nala is one of the main feeders. A canal that further flows out from the lake feeds the Khurpatal Lake downstream.
Surrounded by seven hills at an altitude of 2,084 meters above sea level, this is a popular tourist destination among visitors.
The kidney-shaped lake covers an area of 1.5 square kilometers with a perimeter of 2 miles, and its depth varies from 6 meters to 28 meters.
The northern part of the lake is called Mallital, and the southern part is called Tallital.
The Nainital Lake Development Authority (NLDA) maintains the lake to ensure it remains clean and healthy. It’s a major source of water for the local population.
History of Nainital Lake
The history of the lake dates back to the early 19th century. A British businessman named P. Baron visited the area at that time, and he was impressed by the natural beauty of the lake and its surrounding hills. He decided to build a European-style lodge house around it. He constructed a pilgrim house just above the Nainital Club that still stands today.
During British times, lakes developed into a tourism industry. Many colonial buildings like the Governor’s House and St. John’s Church were constructed around the lake. To promote recreation, activities like boating and fishing were introduced, which help make the area a popular tourist destination. Several species of fish were introduced.
However, during all this, the British also caused damage to the natural ecosystem of the lake. They built a concrete dam on the lake in 1880 that disturbed natural flow and impacted local ecology.
Mythological story of Nainital Lake
According to mythology, Nainital was formed from the eye of Sati, which fell during the time of self-immolation. Sati was the wife of Lord Shiva, but her father, King Daksha, didn’t approve of the marriage. One day, King Daksha organized a grand yagna but didn’t invite Lord Shiva.
Despite Lord Shiva’s warning, Sati went to the yagna, where her father insulted her. Unable to bear the humiliation, Sati jumped into the sacrificial prayer. Lord Shiva, filled with fear, grief, and anger, started the Tandav (cosmic dance of destruction) while carrying her body on his back.
To stop the destruction of Lord Shiva, Vishnu used his Sudarshana chakra and cut the body of Sati into 51 pieces that fell on different parts of the earth. Eye of Sati fell in the region where Nainital or Nani Lake is situated and the lake was formed.
Nainital Boat club
It’s a popular boat club on the northern side of the lake. It offers boating and yachting facilities, which are managed by the local government. Boating on the Nainital Lake is a very popular activity. It offers visitors the natural beauty of the lake and its surrounding hills. They offer both rowing and pedal boats to explore the lake. Rowing boats are managed by pedals, and they are suitable for large families, whereas pedal boats are ideal for couples or small groups.
The club also offers facilities to learn yachting. A special instructor equipped with gear gives training to beginners as well as more experienced sailors.
The club hosts a famous annual yachting competition (regatta) in the third week of June. Participants from all over India from the yachting community participate in the event. It’s a spectacular experience to watch the yachts being navigated by skilled sailors.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit the lake is during the months of March through June and the autumn months of September through November.
In summer months, the lake is lush greenery, perfect to explore the surrounding hills and valleys. In the autumn months, the skies are clearer and perfect for taking a long walk around the lake.
How to reach Nainital lake
By Road: Nainital is well connected by road to major cities in northern India. The nearest major city is Delhi, which is about 300 kilometers away. One can take a bus, a taxi, or their own vehicle from Delhi to Nainital. The journey takes approximately 7–8 hours.
By Train: The nearest railway station to Nainital is Kathgodam, which is about 35 kilometers away. Trains from major cities like Delhi, Lucknow, and Kolkata halt at Kathgodam. From here, one can take a taxi or bus to reach Nainital.
By Air: The nearest airport to Nainital is Pantnagar Airport, which is about 65 kilometers away. Flights from major cities like Delhi and Dehradun operate to Pantnagar. From the airport, one can take a taxi or bus to reach Nainital.