Also known as lake district of Uttarakhand, Nainital, itself named after lake Naini- Nainital, is a major tourist destination of the state. Situated in the Kumaon division of Uttarakhand, 1938 meters above sea level on the foothills of beautiful Himalayan ranges, Nainital district attracts thousands of tourists every year with beautiful lakes namely Bhimtal, Garuntal, Harishtal, Khurpatal, Lakshmantal, Malwatal, Nainital, Nal-Damayanti tal and Naukuchiatal, Ramtal, Sadiyatal, Sitatal, Sukhatal. Most of the names appear in Hindu mythology deriving their stories and connections to the ancient era.

The lake Nainital is surrounded by seven hills namely- Ayarpata (2,235 mts.), Deopata (2,273mts.), Handi bandi (2,139mts.), Cheena (2,611mts.), Alma (2,270mts.), Laria Kanta (2,481mts.) and Sher-ka-danda (2,217mts.). You must be imagining the beauty of Nainital, do visit and your heart will be scream out with joy.

Floral diversity in Nainital District

Rhododendron flower is famous in Nainital. Fruit orchards like Apple, apricot, banana, big lemons, kafal, lichi, peach, pears, oranges, strawberry and deciduous flora akhrot, angu, burus, chinar, deodar, hill papal, hisalu, kilmora, kunj, pine, surai, weeping willow cover the beautiful hills of Nainital district adding to the splendid beauty of the place.

Nainital District – Administrative Setup

Nainital district is divided into 8 tehsils and 8 development blocks. It has 1082 villages. There are four degree colleges, one government university and many government and private schools. There are five large scale industries in Nainital. Tourism is best flourished in Nainital. Other major economic activities of the state are bakery and confectionery, namkeen industries, flour mill, jam and jelly, pickle, spices industries, diamond cutting, artificial diamond polishing, beauty parlor, embroidery works, soap, readymade garments, cyber cafe, printing press, electrical tube chock, paint, wooden furniture, fiber glass industries, steel industries, oil extraction, rickshaw assembling, candle industries and leather works.

The tourists must have a longer tour package to explore Nainital to the most. Once visited, the tourist feel it was worth her/his time and investment. You will definitely recommend Nainital for your friends and family to add to their wish-list in travelling.

Legend and History of Nainital District

The district gets its name from the lake Naini- Nainital, where naina stands for eyes. There is a legend about the formation of Nainital (Naini lake)- Satidevi’s eye fell while Lord Shiva carried her dead body in his shoulder and wandered round the Himalayas after Satidevi jumped into the yagya kund (lake of fire) when she could not tolerate her father’s ill words towards her husband Lord Shiva. Eye shaped structure of the lake draws the line between the legend and its existence. Another mythological story relates to sages Pulatsya, Atri and Pullaha. The myth says these sages dug up lake in this place when they didn’t find any water to drink and filled the lake with water from holy Mansarovar. Nainital is also called ‘the lesser Mansoravar’.

In 1841, a british sugar merchant P. Barron reached Nainital, the lake and he was so much attracted by the lake surrounded by forests filled mountains. Mr. Barron made the city so popular that, by 1846, the district developed into highly populated town. The 1880 landslide submerged major buildings like Naina Devi temple, Bell’s shop, Victoria Hotel, Volunteer orderly room of Nainital. Till 20^th century, Nainital was populated with Birtish and there were schools for English children. From 20^th century, Inidan bureaucrats, civil administrators and other professionals starting inhibiting the place and now it is Inida’s best sought tourist spot visited by thousands of national and international tourists every year.

Population of Nainital District

According to the national census 2011, The Himalayan jewel Nainital has a total population of 954,605 with 460,939 female and 493,666 male where the child population aged 0-6 is 124,272 with 58,935 girls and 65,337 boys. The urban population is 38.94% of the total population, 371,734 in number. 61.06% of the population is rural, 582,871 in number.

83.88% people in Nainital are literate.