Nainital is a popular hill station in the Indian
state of Uttarakhand and headquarters of Nainital district in the Kumaon foothills of the outer Himalayas. Situated at an altitude of 2,084 meters(6,837 ft) 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 located at 29.38°N 79.45°E. The slopes of the nearby mountains are most populated, with an elevation ranging from 1940 mts to 2100 meters. The highest point nearby is Naina Peak or China Peak, with an elevation of 2619 mts. Nainital has temperate summers, maximum temperature 27 °C (81 °F); minimum temperature 7 °C (45 °F), during which its population increases more than fivefold with an annual influx of tourists predominantly from the plains of Northern India. In the winter,
Nainital receives snowfall between December & February with the temperatures varying between a maximum of 15 °C (59 °F) and a minimum of −3 °C (27 °F)
As of the 2001 Indian census Nainital had a population of 38,559. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Nainital has an average literacy rate of 91%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 98%, and female literacy is 86%. 1% of the population is under 6 years of age. Kumaunies form the major part of the town’s population along with people from all over India.
Planning a trip to Nainital
Irrespective of the season you are planning to visit this small picturesque hill station in Uttarakhand with a perennial lake, Nainital is one of the best destinations in India which can welcome tourists any time in a year.Summers during March to May are very pleasant with temperature never crossing 27°C and minimum is about 7°C. Winters during November to February offer a chilly climate with a maximum of 15°C and minimum going below -0°C. Heavy snowfalls are common during winters.
If you are an adventure freak, hit for Nainital in the monsoons. For it is monsoons, when you can truly live with the nature, feel it with every rain drop, see the greenery of the valley at its best and get the adrenaline rushing with the treacherous landslides. While you would not like to miss spots in closer proximity during your stay, depending the days you have at hand, you could plan trips to well-connected tourist places within range of 50 Km or beyond.
Nainital & Sports
The town has a long association with various sports at national and international levels. The Trades Cup Hockey tournament is one of the oldest in the hockey palying world. It is supposed to be a unique obesince it is played on gravel. A Monsoon Marathon is organized every year by a group called ‘Run to Live’. A number of cricket, football and hockey tournaments are held all through the year on the Flats that becomes a major attraction during the tourist season.