Nainital top places to visit have spellbound visitors from ages who couldn’t resist themselves praising its beauty. Even in the British era, it was one of the top hill stations. And let us tell you, it’s not only the jaw-dropping hills, lakes, and Hindu temples that are mesmerizing.
The magic of this Lake District of India is beyond what one could expect which lies in its origin.
A Short-Trip To History Of Nainital Before Visiting Its Top Places
Just break down the word ‘Nainital’ and you would get the idea behind its formation. It has two words Nain which means eyes and Tal which is a lake in Hindi. But there is more than this Hindi translation. The city is formed around an emerald shape lake which is the shape of an eye.
As per the mythological story, this Himalayan resort town is formed by the left eye of Sati that fell while Lord Shiva was carrying her charred body. Another story says three saints dip a hole in the land to quench their thirst which led to the formation of the Lake. It was later mentioned as Tri-Rishi-Sarovar which is now Nainital.
The modern theory behind its formation suggests it was founded by a sugar trader in the 1800s. The man initially got lost in the hills and found a placid lake. Soon it captured the eyes of other Britishers who built bungalows, houses, schools, and other facilities and settled here.
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What Are The Top Places In Nainital To Visit?
There are countless places in this beautiful town that will overflow your travel bucket list. Bhimtal Lake, Naukuchiatal to Raj Bhawan, Naina Devi Temple, and more are perfect for an avid traveler like you.
Ideally, only a 2-days trip is enough to explore all these top Nainital places to visit due to their close proximity. But you could also spare more time here absorbing the city’s weather and beauty.
Begin with
1. Nainital Lake
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No matter how much you praise the beauty of Nainital Lake, it would be less as its exquisiteness is indescribable. The green mountains at the back and colorful water of this freshwater lake blend picturesquely with the sky giving a magnificent view.
Location- Ayarpatta Nainital
Fee- None
How to reach– Lake is only 4 km away from the Ayarpatta town so you can easily walk to the lake
Things to do- Photography, boating, walking by the lake are a few things you can do to spend your time here
2. Naina Devi Temple
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When in Ayarpatta, don’t forget to take the blessings of Naina Devi. The entire town is devoted to her. Along with her, Lord Ganesha and Mata Kali Devi reside at the temple. All three holds equal importance, especially during Nanda Ashtami.
This 8 days festival is one of the most auspicious festivals of Uttarakhand. Statues of Goddesses are made with banana leaves and cultural performances such as Chanchari are highlighted during it.
Location- Ayarpatta
Timings- 6 am to 10 pm
Famous temples in Nainital: Hanuman Garhi, Golu Devta temple, Kainchi Dham, etc.
3. Mukteshwar Temple
One of the famous temples in Nainital after Naina Devi is this 350-year-old temple where the creator, destroyer, and preserver of the world reside. Lord Shiva, Brahma, and Vishnu are worshipped here. It is said that the temple was built by Pandavas.
Location- Mukteshwar
How to reach– Kathgodam Railway station is close to Mukteswar from where the temple is about a few km away.
4. ARIES
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ARIES named after Aryabhatta is one of India’s leading institutes and top tourist places among astronomy enthusiasts. It offers several educational programs to the students and tourists as well. They can view all the celestial bodies in the galaxy through the advanced telescopes installed in the observatory.
However, an advanced booking is required for sky viewing at ARIES.
Location- Beluwakhan
Timings- 7 pm to 9 pm for sky viewing | 2 to 4 pm for visit to the observatory
Charges- Free
How to reach– If you are coming from Delhi or Lucknow then stop at Kathgodam railway station. Take a taxi to Manora Peak where ARIES is situated.
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5. Kamal Tal
Wherever you go in Nainital, the top places to visit in this town will give you mesmerizing views. Kamal Tal Lake simply adds freshness and colors to it through the beautiful pink lotuses spread on this lake. Though the lake is not big like Bhimtal or Naini Lake, it will still make your day.
Location- Siloti Pant
Timings- Any time a day preferably before the sunset
Things to do- Boating, paddling, yachting, photography
6. Raj Bhawan
Don’t go by its name, it is a house of Governor but you will not get an idea seeing at its first. Its architecture and building style is copied from the famous Buckingham Palace. The Raj Bhawan is also famous for its Golf course.
Some of India’s biggest tournaments are held here. Apart from the lush green field and this state-of-the-art building, there are two elevated locations from where you can get scenic views.
The place is close to Mall Road which is also one of the top places in Nainital to visit.
Location- Amghari
Timings- 8 am to 5 pm
Charges- Rs 20 for one
7. Eco Cave Gardens
You don’t have to go to the zoo or any other wildlife park in Nainital. Eco Cave Gardens will give you the opportunity to see those wild animals in their natural habitat. This place has recently got the status of Nainital’s top place.
The visitors and nature lovers have started taking interest gradually in these small cave gardens.
Location- Sukhatal, Mallital
Charges- Rs 60 for adults and an additional charge of Rs 25 for the camera
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Best Time To Visit Nainital
This Jewel Of Kumaon is accessible from several nearby tourist places of India like Delhi, Dehradun, Rishikesh, etc. If you are planning a trip very soon, then book tickets after March or before June as this is the best time to visit Nainital. A 3-days trip is enough to explore these top places in Nainital to visit.