Bhimtal

Bhimtal | Nainital | Uttarakhand

Bhimtal is Situated in the green lap of the Kumaon Hills and perched at an altitude of 1,370 metres, Bhimtal is a small town in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand. It is named after Bhim, one of the five Pandavas mentioned in the Hindu epic, the Mahabharata. With its intimate association with history and interesting tourist spots, Bhimtal is a popular tourist destination, with the most prominent attraction being the ‘Bhimtal Lake’, which is larger than the famous Naini Lake. The emerald green waters of the Bhimtal Lake mirror the lovely greenery that abounds and conjures a striking vision. Spread over a vast area, Bhimtal Lake is home to a rich diversity of aquatic life, and during the winter months, the lake is visited by migratory birds. Boat cruises are an excellent way to soak in the beauty of the place.

Not only can tourists enjoy boating in the lake, they can also take delight in enjoying a meal on an island right in the middle of the alluring lake, 90 metres away from the shore. Located on the banks of the lake is the famous Bhimeshwara Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is believed that Bhim actually constructed the temple himself. However, the temple was reconstructed in the 17th century by Baz Bahadur of the Chand Dynasty. Close to the temple lies a small hill called the Garg Parvat, which is the source of the Gargi River. Another famous spot in Bhimtal is the hill of Karkotaka, known for its ‘Nag Temple’, visited by devotees on Rishi Panchami to seek the blessings of ‘Nag Karkota Maharaj’. About five kilometres from city is a small hill known as ‘Hidimba Parvat’, named after Bhim’s wife, Hidimba. Today, the hill houses a beautiful wildlife sanctuary, known as Vankhandi Ashram.

Within a range of two kilometres from Bhimtal, lies a small natural lake called Nal-Damyanti Tal and locals consider this place to be sacred. Apart from that, the lake is also known for being a popular picnic spot.

How To Reach Bhimtal/Bhimtal Lake :-

The closest railway station is Kathgodam lies at a distance of 30 kilometers from the Bhimtal town. Traveler can also get the train from Delhi which is at 276 kilometers from the town of Bhimtal. Especially there are two trains which run on a regular basis fro Delhi to Kathgodam and Kathgodam to Delhi. There are several other trains available along this route, as Kathgodam is the doorway of the well known Kumaon region. From Kathgodam railway station, you can hire taxis as well as buses are also availed for the pilgrims and tourists.