Nainital

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Image:LAKE3.jpg Nainital is a town in the Indian state of Uttaranchal and headquarters of Nainital District in the Kumaon foothills of the outer Himalaya. Situated at an altitude of 1938 m (6,350 ft) above sea-level, Nainital is set in a valley which contains a pear-shaped lake, approximately 2 miles in circumference, and is surrounded by mountains, of which the highest are Naina (also Cheena) (2615 m, or 8,568 ft) on the north, Deopatha (2438 m, or 7,987 ft) on the west, and Ayarpatha (2278 m, or 7,461 ft) on the south. The surrounding scenery "is strikingly beautiful; and from the tops of the higher peaks, magnificent views can be obtained of the vast plain to the south, or of the mass of tangled ridges lying north, bounded by the great snowy range which forms the central axis of the Himalayas." (Imperial Gazeteer of India, volume 18, Oxford University Press, Oxford and London, 1908.)

Nainital has a pleasurable climate in the summer and sees an influx of tourists coming mainly from the plains of Northern India. The emerald green lake, the towering mountains, the nip in the wind and the crunch of the chinar leaves under your feet in the crisp autumn ... there is lots that makes for fond memories in the city of Nainital, for those who come as visitors as well as for those who have a chance to spend a longer time here.

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Ancient References

Nainital town finds reference in several ancient mythologies of India. One of the earliest references called the Nainital lake Tri-Rishi-Sarovar in reference to the three sages or rishis who dug a hole at the location of the lake and siphoned water from the holy lake of Manasarovar. It is referred to in the Manas Khand of the Skand Puran as such.

Another mythological reference refers to Nainital lake as one of the 64 Shakti Peeths where parts of the charred body of Sati (Parvati) fell when being carried by Lord Shiva. It is said that the eye (or Nain) of Sati fell here hence the name Nain-tal or [lake of the eye.] The goddess Shakti is worshipped at the Naina Devi Temple, situated at the northern end of the lake.

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British Period

The Kumaon Hills came under British rule after the Anglo-Nepal War (1814-16), but the hill station town of Naini Tal (which is how the name was spelt in British times) was only founded in 1841, with the construction of the first European house by P. Barron. Soon the town became a health resort favoured both by soldiers and by people trying to escape the heat of the plains. Later, the town also became the summer residence of the Governor of the United Provinces (later Uttar Pradesh). Government House (now the High Court of Uttaranchal) was built in 1899 by the F.W. Stevens who had also built many Gothic style buildings in Bombay.

In September 1880 a landslide (called the landslip of 1880) took place at the north end of the town, burying 151 people. Both (a building called) The Assembly Rooms and the Naina Devi Temple were destroyed in the disaster. A recreation area known as 'The Flats' was later built on the site and a new temple was also erected.

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Nainital Today

Nainital district is home to India's oldest national park, the Jim Corbett National Park, which contains a wide variety of wild life including elephants and tigers.

Nainital is also known for its outstanding educational institutions, through primarily at the school level. St Mary's Convent [1], St Joseph's College [2], Sherwood College [3] Birla Vidyamandir [4] and All Saints' College are the main schools.

The High Court of Uttaranchal state are also located in Nainital town, the district-centre of Nainital District.

In recent years academicians, geologists and judiciary has been alarmed at the rate of construction and its effects on the Nainital lake area. As a result, efforts have been undertaken to check the deterioration of the lake and its surrounding ecosystem. Desilting of the lake and afforestation of the catchment area have been initiated.

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Notable people

Notable people who were born in or resided in Nainital:

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References

  • Imperial Gazeteer of India, volume 18, Oxford University Press, Oxford and London, 1908.sv:Nainital
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