Nainital In Brief

Nainital is a town in the indian state of Uttarakhand and headquarters of Nainital district in the Kumaon foothills of the outer Himalayas. Situated at an altitude of 1,938 metres (6,358 feet) above sea level, Nainital is set in a valley containing a pear-shaped lake, approximately two miles in circumference, and surrounded by mountains, of which the highest are Naina (2,615 m (8,579 ft)) on the north, Deopatha (2,438 m (7,999 ft)) on the west, and Ayarpatha (2,278 m (7,474 ft)) on the south. 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.
Nainital is 34 Km from Kathgodam, the gateway of Kumaon and the terminus of North Eastern Railway. It is 304 km from Delhi, capital of India, and 388 km from Lucknow. According to the District Gazetteer Nainital is situated at 29 degree 24' north latitude and 79 degree 28' east longitude, in a valley of the Gagar range running east and west, which is bounded on the north by the peak of China, which rises to a height of 8.568 feet, continued by the Alma peak (presently known as Snow-View) and the Sher-Ka-Danda to the eastern extremity, where the ridge descends almost to the level of the lake. On the west the rugged hill of Deopatha rises to a height of 7,987 feet, and on the south Ayarpatha attains an elevation of 7,461 feet diminishing gradually towards the east. While the intervening portion between these two hills is a mass of rocks piled up loosely together which goes by the name of Handi Bandi, and is formed of the transition limestone of Mussoorie. exhibiting every where vast rents, fissures and boulders of all sizes and shapes. The eastern boundary is the pass through which the surplus water of the lake find an exit, forming the principal source of the Ballia river, which falls into the Gola near Ranibagh. The western end of the valley consists of a series of gentle undulations formed by the debris of the surrounding hills. Thus Nainital is situated at a height of 1939 metres from sea level & is surrounded by some outstanding peaks and hills.
The town has the famous lake to which it owes its name. The surface of this lake has an elevation of 1.935 m above sea level. Maximum length & breadth being 1,434 m & 463 m.respectively. The depth of this lake is said to range between a maximum 28 metres and a minimum of 6 metres. Most Important Characteristics of the town Nainital has some unique features and physical characteristics. By far the greatest attraction is provided by the lake Naini. Flowing on the base of rising peaks. Cheena, Laria-Kanta, Deo- patha, Snow view and others, the lake presents a view which lingers in memory. All around the lake is wide road, the Mall, now known as G. B. Pant Marg, which is crowded by pedestrian and rickshaw traffic. All this is mirrored up and brightly reflected in the glittering blue waters of the lake.