Nainital – Sarovar Nagari
Today we are going for a full day trip to Nainital the Sarovar Nagri (Lake City) one of the most beautiful hill stations in North India. (Do not confuse with City of Lakes – Udaipur). Surrounded by mountains on three sides Nainital is located around the beautiful lake Naini. This lake resort is situated at a height of 1,938 meters. Nainital is the judicial capital of Uttarakhand, the High Court of the state being located there It is the headquarters of the Kumaon division as well as a district. It also houses the Governor of Uttarakhand, who resides in the Raj Bhavan. Nainital was the summer capital of the United Provinces.
There are many legends associated with the place. According to one, Nainital has derived its name from the Goddess Naina. Another legend which is more popular states that the place got its name from Goddess Sati’s eyes which fell here after she immolated herself.
Dhyani Jalpan Grih & Restaurant, Mangoli
Around 18 kms from Jim Corbett Museum, Choti Haldwani, our driver took a pit stop at Dhyani Jalpan Grih & Restaurant at a small village called Mangoli. We took some snacks and tea there and had a walk around the side-rail to capture some raw beauty of hilly skyline. Then we headed further to our destination.
It is not only about Nainital. There are many interwoven destinations on the way to Nainital from Ramnagar. Some of which we have already covered while rest we shall cover today.
Already Covered Destinations
- Centre for Ecotourism and Sustainable Livelihood (CESL), Chunakhan
- Barati Rau Waterfall, Sandini Chaur
- Corbett Falls, Nayagaon Julfikar
- Corbett Museum, Choti Haldwani
Today’s Itinerary
- Mansa Devi Temple, Khurpa Tal
- Woodland Water Fall, Sadiya Taal
- Sadiya Taal
- Himalayan Botanic Garden
- Khurpa Taal View Point
- Lovers Point
- Eco Cave Garden, Malli Taal
- Naina Devi Temple, Ayarpatta
- Naini Lake
- G B Pant High Altitude Zoo
- Tibetan Market
Mansa Devi Temple, Khurpa Taal
Around 24 kms from Jim Corbett Museum, Choto Haldwani on Kaladhungi Nainital Road, Khurpatal, Mansa Devi Temple protrudes out from the mountain bordering the road. The surroundings of the temple provide an awe-inspiring panoramic view of the Khurpa tal down below in the valley. Khurpa Taal is fed by a distributary channel of small spring-fed Nihal river draining the Siwalik hills. We bowed our heads in prayer and seek blessings and then headed further towards our destination.
Woodland Water Fall, Sadiya Taal
Although it is called water fall it is more of an artificial cascade by the main road being converted into a sort of park for recreation. There is nothing to see around except the water flowing down the rocks and boulders. You can never compare with Corbett Falls or Barati Rau Waterfall. There was renovation and landscaping going on at the site and it was very dusty due to the passing vehicles. We spent some 15 minutes there and then moved ahead.
Sadiya Taal
Just 400 mts ahead of a hairpin bend after Woodland Water Fall is nestled a small but beautiful lake Sadiya Ttaal (Decaying Lake). It is among the numerous lakes of Kumaon range and is fed by a beautiful stream surrounded by lush green picturesque landscape. The water of the stream is very cold. This deep emerald lake is also referred as Sarita Tal. Small spring-fed Nihal river draining the Siwalik hills feeds the lake and then overflows it through a small waterfall.
Sadiya Taal was called so by locals because it was originally a wetland and associated with the traditional water management system of the hills. Moreover, it is historically important as (the then Kumaon commissioner) Sir Henry Ramsay had introduced potato cultivation at Sadiya Taal for the first time in the region in 1856.
Apart from the beautiful lake, Sadiya Taal is also famous for Himalayan Botanical Garden which is run by Forest Department. There was an under construction children’s park at one end of the lake. We stopped there for around 10 minutes then moved towards Botanical Garden.
Himalayan Botanical Garden
Himalayan Botanical Garden, spread over an area of 30 hectares, is a prominent center of study. It has a collection of several rare and endangered native plant species. This garden also has some major attractions which include a butterfly park, orchidarium, herbarium, fernery, Geodesic dome, zero point, library, waterfalls, etc. With various species of rare medicinal plants and native Himalayan foliage, this botanical garden drives the attention of conservationists all across the country.
Khurpa Taal View Point
After travelling 2 km uphill ahead of Himalayan Botanical Garden and traversing two hairpin bends you arrive at the third hairpin bend known as Khurpa Taal View Point. The place is named so because it gives you a 270° panoramic view of the valley with Khurpa Tal Near Mansa Devi Temple down below the valley.
Nainital Lovers Point
Around 1.5 km ahead of Khurpatal View Point at Bara Pathar along the serpentine Nainital road there is the Lovers Point, another famous spot for the photography enthusiasts. The vantage point offers some amazing views of the valley making it one of the popular Nainital tourist places. So, whether you are a couple or not, you should visit this place.
Eco Cave Garden, Mallital
Eco Cave Garden is a cluster of natural rocky caves which are developed into a garden. It is a rather new tourist spot but gaining popularity off-late due to its close proximity Nainital Mall Road. The garden is maintained by Nainital Tourism and is located in the Mallital area on the Nainital Road. The garden offers a majestic view of 6 caves formed in the shape of animals. It is a great adventure for children to experience the natural-like habitat of various animals first-hand.
A musical fountain enhances the beauty of the place with audio and visual effects. But it remains operational only in peak season. The garden is lit with old-school petroleum lamps to keep the authenticity of the place. The popular caves are Panther Cave, Tiger Cave, Bat Cave, Apes Cave, and Flying fox Cave. Along with caves throughout the pathway, there are hanging gardens which add to its beauty.
Naina Devi Temple, Ayarpatta
Legend has that feeling insulted for not being invited to Yajna by her father King Daksh, Sati, the wife of Lord Shiva, immolated herself. Devastated and grief-stricken, Lord Shiva started Rudratandav with her body in His arms to wreck havoc and invoke Great Destruction (Pralay). To pacify Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu cut Goddess Shakti’s body into 52 pieces which fell at various places on earth giving rise to Shakti Peethas. Nainital appeared on the spot where the eyes (naina) of the Goddess are assumed to have fallen.
Nainital Lake
Naini Lake, a natural freshwater body of tectonic origin, situated amidst Nainital. It is kidney shaped or crescent shaped. Historical records confirm that in 1839, Mr. P. Barron, who is supposed to be the first one who visited Nainital, from Rosa, an English business man in sugar trade, on an expedition accidentally coming across the lake at Nainital was so captivated that he decided to build a European Colony on shores of the lake. As per Indian mythology this picturesque lake is said to be one of the emerald green eyes of Shiva’s beloved consort, Sati. We enjoyed row boating for an hour alluring the majestic beauty of the serene environs of the lake.
G B Pant High Altitude (Nainital) Zoo
Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant Zoo is one of the three high altitude zoos in India the other two being at Sikkim and Darjeeling. Established in 1984 and opened to public in 1995, it is situated on the Sher Ka Danda hill at a height of 2,100 metres above sea-level. India’s only Siberian tiger was here from 2001 until its death in November 2011. The soo has a view point from where you can have a bird’s eye view of the emerald green Naini lake and the bustling Nainital town along the slope of the valley.
The zoo has several endangered species of animals in the Himalayas, and animals like Royal Bengal tiger, Tibetan wolves, sambar, leopard cat and Himalayan bear. It also has a vast collection of high altitude birds, like kalij pheasant, Lady Amherst pheasant, rose ringed parakeet, golden pheasant and red junglefowl.
Tibetan Market
Tibetan Market Nainital is located on Nanda Devi Path, opposite to the main entrance of Naina Devi temple. The Market is one of the most famous shopping destinations for tourists as well as local people.
The Tibetan Market popularly known as Bhotia Market or Bhutia Market. An entry to market is welcomed by bargaining calls and an attractive display of beautiful articles. The market is every shopper’s delight. Tibetan prayer wheels are the specialty of the market. These items are intricately crafted and adorned with the exotic designs and colorful ribbons and look mesmerizing. Beautiful hand stitched clothing and various articles are available in a range of prices depending upon its quality and uniqueness.
By the time we came out of Tibetan Market, the sky was overcast. We went for a stroll along the Mall Road and then sat at the Flatts for a while sipping ginger tea. The sun had started to hide behind the Pine and Cedar skyline above the hills. We finished our tea and headed back to Ramnagr stopping at a ledge after Sukhatal Power Station to witness the most mesmerizing sunset I have ever lived.
Travelling on hilly terrain by road after sunset is a different experience altogether. A bit chilling a bit thrilling. We arrived at New Everest Hotel around 8 pm. That was the end of our Nainital day trip. We freshened up and had tea. Then I went out to fetch some dinner for the night. We had yummy grated soy chunk momos and noodles for dinner.
