Nestled amidst the township of Nainital, Naini Lake is a
beautiful natural fresh body lake. The lake is in crescent or kidney shape and
is one of the famous lakes of the Kumaon region. Bounded by Naini Peak on North
West, Tiffin Point on the South West and snow-capped peaks on the north, the
lake offers a breathtaking view, especially during early morning and sunset.
Coniferous trees that cover the hillside add charm to the raw beauty of the
place. One can also visit Naini Temple on the shores of the lake. A pretty lake
that once a European man fell in love with, Naini Lake today serves as a major
tourist spot for people from all over the country.
The Naini Lake is a charming beauty that is surrounded by
seven different peaks namely Ayarpata, Deopata, Handi Bandi, Cheena Peak, Alma,
Laria Kanta and Sher Ka Danda. The lake itself can be divided into two distinct
sections, the northern part called Mallital and southern region called
Tallital. Naini Lake is most famous for its wonderful scenic beauty which is a
hotspot for family picnics. Boating, long evening walks and endearing
interactions with ducks are some of the things that are a must do whilst
visiting this glittering lake. You can also seek the blessings of Goddess Naina
Devi at the Naina Devi temple which is also situated near the Naini Lake.
Legends of Naini Lake
Legend says that once upon a time, a very powerful king
named Daksha ruled in the country. He had a beautiful daughter named Sati, and when
she came of age, King Daksh began looking for a suitable groom for her. As luck
would have it, Sati got attracted to Lord Shiva whom King Daksh despised
thoroughly. Despite wanting otherwise, Sati and Shiva got married and started
living together. This was not acceptable to King Daksh, and he decided to
organize a 'yajna' or fire sacrifice ritual where Shiva and Sati were not
invited. However, Sati decided to attend her father's prayer service in spite
of not being invited to the same. Upon reaching the venue, she and her husband
were thoroughly disrespected by Daksh and unable to tolerate the humiliation,
Sati jumped into the ritualistic fire.
Upon learning of Sati's death, Shiva was livid and he
started performing the 'Tandava' or celestial dance of destruction. According
to a legend, it is said that Lord Shiva performed his tandava at Naini Lake as
well. This gave way to apocalyptic destruction on the Earth, and the Gods
feared that the world was nearing its end. When repeated pleas to Shiva by the
other Gods went in vain, Lord Vishnu used his Sudarshan Chakra upon Sati's dead
body which cut it into 52 different parts. Each of the remains fell on a
different portion of the country and a temple emerged there. The Naini Devi
Temple was the site where Sati's 'nayan' or eyes had fallen.
History of Naini Lake
Hindu scriptures such as the Skanda Purana mention a lake
called the 'Tririshi Sarovar', which is believed to be the Nainital Lake. This
name was derived from the names of three great sages who used to meditate here,
namely Atri, Pulastya and Pulaha. A hole was dug by the three of them which
soon got filled with water and came to be known as the Naini Lake or Tririshi
Sarovar. According to the historical records, in the year 1839, a European
businessman P. Barron while on a hunting expedition, accidently found the Naini
Lake and was captivated by its beauty. He then decided to build a European
colony on the shores of the lake as a summer retreat for Englishmen.
Boating at Naini Lake
A trip to the Naini Lake is perhaps incomplete if one
doesn't indulge in boating here. The serene beauty of the lake surrounded by
gently rolling mountains presents a tranquil scenery. With gentle winds blowing
as you pedal your way through the waters, the quaint atmosphere of Naini Lake
will surely transport you into a world of your own. Yatching and kayaking are
available here as well. The charges and timings of various boats here
includes:-
Timings: 06:00 AM - 06:00 PM (March to June)
Cost for Boating in Naini Lake:
Brightly painted Gondola-like boats: INR 210 per hour
Boat ride through Nainital Boat Club: INR 350 per hour
Pedal boat: INR 150 per hour
Best time to visit Naini Lake
One can best enjoy the serenity of Naini Lake during the
months of March, June, November and December when the weather is perfect for a
boat ride.
How to Reach Naini Lake
Once you have reached Nainital, the best way to explore
the place is on foot. The Naini Lake is situated close to the Nainital Bus
stand from where you can walk your way here. However, for convenience, there
are cycle rickshaws and taxis area available that can take you from one place
to another.
Shopping in Naini Lake
Nainital's Mal Road, which is a major shopping hub of the
city, runs parallel to the the Naini Lake, and is a must visit for every
shopping buff. You can take your pick from a variety of candles, handicrafts,
wooden artifacts, hand looms and shawls.
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