Nainital facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nainital
Capital and judicial capital
Clockwise from top: Nainital, UK from cheena peak route, Kumaoni boatmen on Naini Lake, Naina Devi Temple, Raj Bhavan and Church of St. John in the Wilderness
Nickname(s):  Jewel of Kumaon
Nainital Location in Uttarakhand Show map of Uttarakhand Nainital Location in India Show map of India
Country	India
State	Uttarakhand
Division	Kumaon
District	Nainital
Named for	Naini Lake
Government
• Type	Municipal Council
• Body	Nainital Municipal Council
Area
• Total	11.73 km2 (4.53 sq mi)
Elevation	2,084 m (6,837 ft)
Population  (2011)
• Total	41,377
• Density	3,527.5/km2 (9,136/sq mi)
Demonym(s)	Nainitalites (English) Naintalwal (Kumaoni)
Languages
• Official	Hindi
• Additional official	Sanskrit
• Regional	Kumaoni
Time zone	UTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN	263001/263002
Telephone code	+91 - 5942
Vehicle registration	UK-04

Nainital is a beautiful town in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, India. It is known as the "Jewel of Kumaon" because of its stunning natural beauty. The town is the main city of the Nainital district. It is also where the High Court of Uttarakhand is located, making it the state's judicial capital. The Governor of Uttarakhand also lives here at the Raj Bhavan. Nainital used to be the summer capital for the United Provinces during British rule.

This lovely town is nestled in the foothills of the outer Himalayas. It's about 276 kilometers from Dehradun, the state capital, and 314 kilometers from New Delhi, India's capital. Nainital sits at an altitude of 2084 meters above sea level. The town is built around an eye-shaped lake, which is about two miles around. High mountains surround the lake, including Naina Peak (2615 meters) to the north. From these peaks, you can see amazing views of the plains and the snowy Himalayan range. Many tourists visit Nainital all year round.

The Story Behind Nainital's Name

It is believed that Nainital Lake is one of 51 special holy places called Shakti Peeths. This belief comes from an ancient story about the goddess Sati. When Sati died, the god Shiva was very sad. He carried her body and wandered the universe. To help Shiva, the god Vishnu used his special weapon, the Sudarshana Chakra, to cut Sati's body into 52 parts. These parts fell to Earth, creating sacred sites. The place where Sati's right eye (called Nain) fell became known as Nain-tal, meaning "lake of the eye." Today, the goddess Shakti is worshipped at the Naina Devi Temple, also called Naini Mata Temple, on the north shore of the lake.

Nainital's Past: A Quick Look

Early Times in Kumaon

Nainital has always been part of the Kumaon region. After the Katyuri Dynasty ended in the 10th century, Kumaon was split into many small kingdoms. The area around Nainital was ruled by different families. The Chand dynasty eventually united Kumaon, but it took a long time. Nainital was one of the last areas they took over.

A king named Trilok Chand built a fort in Bhimtal in the 13th century. However, Nainital itself was not under Chand rule back then. It was near the western edge of their kingdom. Later, King Kirat Chand (who ruled from 1488 to 1503) finally brought Nainital and its surrounding areas under his control.

How Nainital Was Founded and the Big Landslide of 1880

The Kumaon Hills came under British rule after a war in 1814–16. The hill station of Naini Tal was officially started in 1841. The first European house, Pilgrim Lodge, was built by P. Barron, a sugar trader. He wrote that it was "by far the best site I have witnessed in the course of a 1500 mi trek in the Himalayas."

By 1846, many houses were being built. The Church of St. John in the Wilderness (built in 1846) was one of the first buildings. Soon, Nainital became a popular place for British soldiers and officials to escape the hot weather of the plains. It later became the summer home for the governor of the United Provinces.

1875

1882

A general view of the north end of Naini Tal before and after the landslip of 1882.

On September 18, 1880, a huge landslide happened at the north end of the town. This event is known as "the landslip of 1880." It buried 151 people. Earlier, smaller landslides had happened in 1866 and 1869. But the 1880 slide was much bigger.

Heavy rain fell for 40 hours before the slide, making the hillside very unstable. A small earthquake also shook the area. The Victoria Hotel, the Hindu temple of "Naina Devi," and other buildings were destroyed. Most people who were there were tragically buried.

In total, 108 Indian people and 43 Europeans died or went missing. The Assembly Rooms and the Naina Devi Temple were destroyed. A new recreation area called 'The Flats' was later built on the site. A new temple was also built. To prevent future disasters, strong drains were built, and building rules became much stricter.

Nainital's Location and Landscape

Where is Nainital?

Nainital covers an area of 11.73 square kilometers. It is located at an average height of 2084 meters above sea level. The highest point nearby is Naina Peak, which is 2619 meters high. The town is in the Kumaon foothills of the outer Himalayas. It is 285 kilometers from Dehradun and 345 kilometers from New Delhi.

Scenic view of the Nainital from Tallital, the lower end of the lake.

The town is built around the Nainital Lake, which is shaped like an eye. The lake is 1567 meters long and 506 meters wide. It is about two miles around. The deepest part of the lake is 93 meters deep. Scientists believe the lake was formed by movements in the Earth's crust. Many streams, including three that flow all year, feed the lake.

Nainital is surrounded by several mountains. These include Ayarpata (2344 meters), Devpata (2435 meters), Handibandi (2180 meters), Chini (2612 meters), Alma (2432 meters), Lariya Kanta (2482 meters), and Sher ka Danda (2400 meters).

Nainital's Climate and Weather

Nainital has a subtropical highland climate. This means its weather is affected by its high elevation. Winters are a bit dry, and summers are very wet due to the South Asian monsoon. The least rain falls in November (7.9 mm), while the most rain falls in July (725 mm).

Nainital has cool summers. July is the warmest month, with temperatures between 16.4°C and 23.5°C. January is the coldest month, with temperatures between 1.7°C and 10.7°C. The highest temperature ever recorded was 30°C on June 18, 1972. The lowest was -5.6°C on January 17, 1953.

Forest in Nainital after snowfall (2020)

Winter in Nainital starts in mid-November and lasts until mid-March. Temperatures drop, and January is the coldest. Frost and mist are common in December and January. Sometimes, it rains a lot due to "western disturbances," and peaks higher than 2000 meters get snow. Temperatures start to rise by late February or early March, signaling the start of summer.

Summer in the hills starts earlier than in the plains and is long and humid. The monsoon usually begins in mid-May and continues until mid-October. Nainital gets a lot of rain each year because it's close to the high Himalayan ranges. By mid-September, the monsoon weakens. After the monsoon, the skies are clear, and temperatures slowly drop until mid-January.

Plants and Animals in Nainital

The areas around Nainital are rich in plants and animals. This region is a temperate zone in the middle Himalayas. You can find many types of trees and bushes here. Some common ones include Oak (Banj), Horse Chestnuts (Pangar), Walnut (Akhrot), and Himalayan Cypress (Surai). You can also see beautiful Rhododendron (Buruns) trees.

The lake itself has many aquatic plants. Several types of fish live in the lake, including carps and Mahseer. The mirror carp is an imported fish that breeds in the lake. There are also three types of Hill Trout. A special fish called Gambusia affinis, or Mosquitofish, was put into the lake to help control Mosquito larvae.

People and Culture of Nainital

Nainital's Population and Demographics

A native boatman on the Naini Lake.

As of 2011, Nainital had a population of 41,377 people. About 52.3% were males and 47.7% were females. This means there were 911 women for every 1000 men. The town's population density was about 3527 people per square kilometer. About 9.54% of the population was under 6 years old.

Nainital has a high literacy rate of 92.93%. This is higher than the average for Uttarakhand state. About 96.09% of males and 89.47% of females in the town can read and write.

Hinduism is the largest religion in Nainital, with 85.61% of people being Hindu in 2011. The town has a mix of different religions. About 11.91% of people follow Islam. Christianity is followed by 0.92%, Jainism by 0.01%, Sikhism by 0.75%, and Buddhism by 0.77%. A very small number of people (0.02%) are atheists or follow no particular religion.

Most of the people in Nainital are Kumaonis. You will also find people from all over India living here. A person from Nainital is called Naintālwāl in the local Kumaoni language.

Languages Spoken in Nainital

Hindi is the official language of Nainital. Sanskrit is also an additional official language. The local language, Kumaoni, is the most spoken language in the town. Hindi and English are also widely used, especially when locals talk to tourists or people from outside the area.

Fun Things to Do in Nainital: Tourist Spots

Nainital is a very popular hill station with many places to visit. Some of the top spots include Nainital Lake, Naina Peak 8622ft, Hanumangarhi, and the G. B. Pant High Altitude Zoo. It is the most famous tourist spot in the Kumaon region.

Nainital Zoo: High Altitude Animals

The Nainital Zoo is located on Sher Ka Danda Hill. It is about 2100 meters (6900 feet) above sea level. Its official name is the G. B. Pant High Altitude Zoo. Here, you can see animals that live in high mountain areas.

Nainital Yacht Club: Sailing on the Lake

Yachts on the lake

The Nainital Yacht Club is right next to the lake. It is managed by the Boat House Club. This is the highest yacht club in India and one of the highest in the world! It was started by the British in 1910. For a long time, only members could use it. But now, tourists can pay to enjoy a sailing session on the yachts.

Jama Masjid: A Historic Mosque

A view of Jama Masjid Mosque, Nainital

The Jama Masjid of Nainital is in the Mallital area. This mosque was built in 1882 during the British era for the Muslim community. Above the main entrance, you can see beautiful Arabic writings. Inside, there is a special niche called a mihrab that shows the direction towards Mecca.

Naina Devi Temple: A Sacred Spot

A view of the Maa Naina Devi Temple, Mallital, Nainital, Kumaon, India

The Temple of Naina Devi is at the upper end of Nainital Lake. This temple is dedicated to the town's goddess, Naina Devi. Every year in September, the Nanda Devi Mela festival is held here. It is a very important and colorful event.

St. John in the Wilderness Church: Oldest Church

A view of St John in the Wilderness Church, Sukhatal, Mallital, Nainital, Kumaon.

St. John in the Wilderness is one of the oldest and most beautiful churches in Nainital. It is dedicated to St. John the Baptist. This church was built in 1846. It was one of the very first buildings constructed in Nainital.

The Mall Road: Shopping and Fun

The Mall Road is a popular shopping area in Nainital. It is full of shops, restaurants, and street vendors. It's a great place to walk around, buy souvenirs, and enjoy local food.

Eco Cave Gardens: Explore Natural Caves

Eco Cave Gardens is a group of natural rocky caves. It is located close to the Mall Road. There are six caves shaped like different animals. Visitors can explore these caves every day from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Naina Peak: Amazing Views

Naina Peak is a fantastic sightseeing spot. It is located at an altitude of 2611 meters. From here, you can get a breathtaking view of the entire Himalayas and a bird's-eye view of Nainital town.

Libraries: Places to Read and Learn

A view of Durga Lal Shah Municipal Public Library, Nainital, Kumaon, India

Nainital has several libraries. These include the Durga Lal Shah Municipal Public Library on the Mall, which opened in 1934. There is also the Uttarakhand Academy of Administration Library and the Kumaon University Library.

Getting Around Nainital: Transport Options

Road Travel to Nainital

The old roadways bus station is located at Tallital in front of the Naini Lake.

You can reach Nainital by road using National Highway 109 from Haldwani, which is 40 kilometers away. You can also take State Highway 13 from Bajpur, which is 60 kilometers away.

Flying to Nainital: Nearest Airport

The closest airport to Nainital is in Pantnagar, near Rudrapur. It is about 71 kilometers from Nainital. Airlines like Alliance Air connect this airport to Delhi, Dehradun, and Pithoragarh.

Train Travel to Nainital: Railway Station

The main railway station near Nainital is Kathgodam. It is on the outskirts of Haldwani. This station connects Nainital to most major cities across India.

Learning in Nainital: Schools and Colleges

In the late 1800s, many "European" schools were started in Nainital for boys and girls. During the Victorian and Edwardian times, these schools mostly taught the children of British officials and soldiers.

St. Joseph's College, Nainital from Tiffin Top (Dorothy's Seat)

• All Saints' College: This school, originally called Diocesan Girls' High School, was founded in 1869.
• Sherwood College: This school was once known as Diocesan Boys' School.
• Birla Vidya Mandir: This school was previously called Philander Smith's College and then Halett War School.

St. Joseph's College, Nainital (also known as SEM) is a school built by Irish brothers in 1888. It offers both day and boarding options. Another important school for girls is St. Mary's Convent High School, Nainital (known as Ramnee), established in 1878.

Famous People from Nainital

Many well-known people have connections to Nainital, either by being born there or studying in its famous schools.

• Amitabh Bachchan: A famous Bollywood actor, who studied at Sherwood College.
• Kabir Bedi: Another Bollywood actor, also educated at Sherwood College.
• Jim Corbett: A famous hunter, author, and conservationist. He studied at St. Joseph's College.
• Danny Denzongpa: A Bollywood actor who studied at Birla Vidya Mandir.
• Sam Manekshaw: A Field Marshal in the Indian Army, educated at Sherwood College.
• Naseeruddin Shah: A well-known Bollywood actor, who studied at St. Joseph's College.
• Govind Ballabh Pant: An important leader in India's independence movement and a former Chief Minister.
• Henry Stephens Salt: Considered the "father of animal rights," he was born in Nainital.

See also

In Spanish: Nainital para niños