Nainital Lake

Nainital Lake Nainital, India

The centerpiece of Nainital is its beautiful serene 2 mile long pear-shaped lake. Ringed by seven hills, the emerald coloured waters of the lake attracts hordes of tourists during the day who come to try their hand at yatching, rowing or paddling on the lake. Once evening descends and the tourists go back to their hotels, the lake appears tranquil and magical; lit up like a fairyland by the twinkling lights that dot the hills and by its waters' edge. The Lake is locally referred to as having two ends. Mallital, which is the northern end. And Tallital; the southern end. And a bridge at that end. It also has the unique distinction of being the only lake bridge with a post office on it. A bus station, taxi stand, railway reservation counter, shopping centres and luxury stores further make the lake an extremely tourist-freindly spot. The Lake also an interesting past. In the Manas Khand of the Skand Puranas, Nainital Lake is called Tri-Rishi-Sarovar. It alludes to the tale of the three sages, Atri, Pulastya and Pulaha, who upon finding no water in Nainital, dug a large hole and filled it with water from the Mansarovar in Tibet. Nainital is therefore also referred to as the 'Lesser Manasarovar. Another belief is that Naini Lake is one of the Shakti Peeths where parts of Parvati's body fell on earth while it was being carried by a grief stricken and raging Shiva. The spot where her eyes fell was called Nain-tal. In fact, at the northern end of the temple is the Naina Devi temple, dedicated to the Goddess Naina who is supposed to be a manifestation of the Goddess Shakti.