Idea of India75 learn more about India, its aspects & culture
In celebration of IndiaAt75, the Consulate General of India Hamburg is featuring stories from each state and every corner of India every week on Wednesday, taking you on a journey into irresistible India and its diverse and captivating beauty, art, culture, cuisine, people and places.
WEEK 68 – Nainital
Nainital, located 1,938 metres above sea level in the Kumaon foothills of the outer Himalayas, 285km from the Uttarakhand State capital Dehradun and 345km from New Delhi, is set in a valley containing an eye-shaped lake, approximately two miles in circumference, and surrounded by mountains, of which the highest are Naina Peak (2,615m) on the north, Deopatha (2,438m) on the west, and Ayarpatha (2,278m) on the south. The hill station attracts tourists round the year.
Nainital is referred to in the ‘Manas Khand’ of the ‘Skanda Purana’ as the Tri-Rishi-Sarovar, the lake of the three sages; Atri, Pulastya and Pulaha who were reputed to have arrived here on a penitential piligrimage, and, finding no water to quench their thirst dug a hole and siphoned water into it from Mansarovar the sacred lake in Tibet. The Second important mythological reference to Nainital is as one of 64 ‘Shakti Peeths’. These centres were created wherever parts of charred body of Sati fell, when Lord Shiva was carrying around her corpse in grief. It is said that the left eye (Nain) of Sati fell here and this gave rise to patron deity of Nainital. It is said that the lake is formed in the emerald eye shape. Naina Devi temple is located at the northern end of the lake. The name Nainital is derivated from Naina and the tal (Lake).
Nainital is a glittering jewel in the Himalyan necklace, blessed with scenic natural splendour and varied natural resources. Dotted with lakes, Nainital is known as the “Lake District” of India. The most prominent of the lakes is Naini lake ringed by hills. Some of the important places in the district are Nainital, Haldwani, Kaladhungi, Ramnagar, Bhowali, Ramgarh, Mukteshwar, Bhimtal, Sattal and Naukuchiatal.
Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India
India in Germany (Embassy of India, Berlin)
Indian Council For Cultural Relations
Amrit Mahotsav
Incredible India
Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
AzaadiKa Amrit Mahotsav IndiaAt75 incredible india indian tourism dekhoapnadesh bharatdarshan nainital uttara khand himalayas
