Heaven on earth...Nainital

The joy of visiting places and getting to know the unknown is the best feeling one can have. I have been to many hill stations and comparing any one with the other will be doing injustice with Nature. I was blessed to be able to spend a few days in Nainital & being my Birthday gift the trip meant a lot more than any other. 

On route to Nainital

We got down by train at Kathgodam Railway Station and hired a cab for Nainital. Cabs, shared taxis and buses are easily available on this route. It was early morning when we began our journey towards Nainital. With each curve of road sun's rays played games over the mountains sometimes giving shade to one peak at other times lightening it up. Also along the road there were small waterfalls adding surprise elements to the forward journey. 

Waterfall on route to Nainital

Witnessing sun's game & experiencing the surprise elements we reached Nainital. We booked room having lake view in Hotel on Mall road, got freshened up & soon were ready for making memories in this beautiful hill station. The view of Naini lake, with mountains surrounding from all sides and clouds kissing the surface of water with its movement was magical. It drew us like a mgnet & hence our first spot was automatically fixed. 






We strolled through the narrow pavement bordering the lake and reached the place for booking boats. Boating on the magnificent lake at a height of 6,837 ft above sea level was awesome. We were accompanied by a localite who kept giving us several information about Nainital. According to him Nainital city got its name from this lake, the northern end of the lake is called Mallital, while the southern one is called Tallital.. Hypnotized by the beauty of Nature & his stories we spent a good time in the lake.

After the cool boating experience we hired a cab for sightseeing. Our 1st point was Naina Peak, the highest point around, 2615 mts above sea level. This is also known as China peak / Cheena peak.  From here I got the bird's eye view of the mango shaped Naina lake that I had sailed on few minutes before and the city of Nainital surrounding it. The road to Naina Peak had forest of vibrant rhododendrons, soaring deodars and cypresses. After capturing the beauties via camera we moved on with our journey.

After traveling few minutes we reached the Himalaya Darshan View point ,nestled at a height of about (2300 MT) from this spot we got a glimpse of mighty Himalayan ranges and valley view of lower forested ridges. The view was eye soothing, here there were facilities of viewing different peaks by telescopes & binoculars. Luckily when we went the sky wasn't cloudy & we got a clear view of all the peaks.

Sadiatal cascade, on Kaladungi-Nainital national highway was our next place of visit. Nearby area also had Himalayan Botanical Garden containing rare medicine plants, ferns, butterfly park & aquatic garden.  The water of the cascade was icy cold. We had some snacks and tea from stalls near the cascade and went on with our journey




Our next spot was Echo cave garden, located at Sukhtal, its was a natural park containing inter-connected rocky caves and hanging gardens. The walk through the narrow path cut from rocks, crawling inside the caves , sitting beside the muscial fountain and witnessing the rare flowers maked the visit to this park exciting & informative. 

From here we went to St. John in the Wilderness,  a tranquil place located in Mallital.  According to the facts, this church was established in the year 1844. Daniel Wilson, the Bishop of Calcutta, came here to establish the foundation stone of the church. During his visit, he fell ill and had to stay in an unfinished house close to the forest. Therefore, the church came to be known as the St. John in the Wilderness. The church serves as a memorial for the victims of the landslide of 1880 and has a brass plaque, where the victim's names are written.


After spending some time there our cab driver brought us back to where we had started our journey - Mall road. On either side of the street were small stalls, shops, peddlers selling different items.  If you are in Nainital then you should buy candles for you will find infinite variety of candles here. We strolled our way through Mall road buying some gifts for close ones until we reached Naina devi temple

Considered as one of the 'Shakti Peeths' and a significant religious site, the Naina Devi Temple is one of the most important places of worship in Nainital. It is believed that Sati's eyes fell at the same spot where this temple is built, hence the name Naina Devi. Inside the temple complex, there was a huge Peepal tree that seemed like sheltering the visitors. Across the Peepal tree was an idol of Lord Hanuman. Within the inner sanctumwere sculpted figures of three deities; in the centre are two netras (eyes) that represent Naina Devi, to the left is Mata Kali Devi and to the right, Lord Ganesha. We offered our prayers to MA shakti here.  Prasaad and other requisites for offering prayer was easily available at the entrance. The temple located just beside the vast naini lake with mountains surrounding gave me goosebumps. One can spend hours sitting in its campus which is so serene.

Mall road leading to Naina devi temple

 After spending a good time in the temple campus we strolled back towards our hotel .On way back we stopped at two churches - St. Francis Catholic Church also known as Lake Church & Methodist church. At evening after sunset the view of Naini lake with lights lit all around in the mountain gave a mesmerizing view. Although we could have had food at our hotel I preferred going out for dinner. The Mall road was busy with tourist trying to pick the gifts of there choice at the lowest rate. We climbed few stairs to reach Machan restuarant. My Dad had arranged for a birthday cake with a pretty candle on it.. Cutting cake at around 2084 mts above sea level experiencing beauty of Nature was bliss... This is one birthday I will cherish forever !!!!