[Tapish]

Hi Friends,

After many years, I got a chance to visit Nainital during the ongoing Nanda Devi festival.
The festival celebrates the visit of Nanda Devi to her mother’s home.
Nanda Devi is one among the numerous forms of Shakti and there are numerous legends in folklore about her. There is a widespread belief that Nanda Devi is Yoga Maya, the baby girl who replaced Krishna in the prison and escaped from the hands of Kamsa and warned him that Krishna, the son of Devaki, is already born and he will put an end to the terror of Kamsa.
She is also the Goddess of the Kumaon region and is believed to be Shiva's wife whose eyes form the Naini Lake today.
This time of the year also celebrates autumn in Nainital. There are very few tourists and the rains have subsided leaving behind lush greenery. The following photos celebrate the feeling.

Clouds on the lake. Heavenly Feeling


The Bagpipe. The personis part of the Choliya bands that play traditional kumaoni music


Goddesses Nanda and Sunanda


The lights


The fireworks


The glory


The Environmentalists. Prof. Yashpal Rawat teaches youngsters swimming and kayaking and also cleans the lake regularly.


The solitary boat


One key feature of NAinital. The Temple, Gurudwara and Mosque are together. The church is also pretty near.


(contd.)

[Tapish]

(contd)
The vast expanse of the lake.


The procession is taken around the city before the idols are immersed in water.


Watching the changes around. A local looks at all the revelry.


The CRST College. My dad's alma mater.


Daytime image


Early evening


Night image. Shutter speed is 13 seconds.


The Clouds.


Camera: Panasonic FZ35
Location: Nainital
Time: 08 Sep 2011- 11 Sep 2011

[sachinj12]

Thanks for the thread. Brings back memories of my visit around 5 years ago. I had visited the place when the season had just began and the rush was maddening! The whole idea of 'hill station' and 'relax' went for a toss. It was like a busy railway terminal.

Looking forward for more pics.

[kaushik_s]

Lovely photographs there .Thanks for sharing. but I think this thread should be in the Travelogue section as that's the rightful place for this nice photolog.

[Tapish]

Thanks Sachin and Kaushik,
@Sachin: You are right. The rush during the peak days is maddening for us locals and the tourists alike.

[mayankjha1806]

Lovely pictures @Tapish, we have never been to Nainital looks like we surely need to plan a trip. For the sake of southers could you also post as to what time is a good time to plan a trip to this beautiful place.

Is the fog there only in winters or it stays like that all through (excluding summers)?

[lordofgondor]

Originally Posted by mayankjha1806

Is the fog there only in winters or it stays like that all through (excluding summers)?

I guess fog in Nainital is a perpetual thing. Even in summers you could find good amount of fog, especially around the lake. Come monsoons, and the intensity of the fog increases.

[shajufx]

Originally Posted by Tapish

.....I got a chance to visit Nainital during the ongoing Nanda Devi festival......

Thanks for sharing Tapish, its a beautiful place to be in the 'Must See' list. The location is too good for photography as clear from your images. The best I liked, bit cropped, hope you dont mind

[Tapish]

@mayank: the best time to visit nainital is in Sept-Oct. Lots of greenery around and fewer tourists than summer. Also, early feb marks the spring and the entire region blooms.
@lordofgondor: rightly said sir. there is definitely some fog even in summers but is then restricted to early mornings.
@shajufx: well done sir. the colors are accentuated and the pic looks better now. Shall do this in the future

[chethan.ram]

Some very nice pics there. Thanks for sharing the information. As Shaju said this place should go as the "place to visit" for any photographer.

[sathya_nars]

Originally Posted by Tapish

Hi Friends,

After many years, I got a chance to visit Nainital during the ongoing Nanda Devi festival.
The festival celebrates the visit of Nanda Devi to her mother’s home.
Nanda Devi is one among the numerous forms of Shakti and there are numerous legends in folklore about her. There is a widespread belief that Nanda Devi is Yoga Maya, the baby girl who replaced Krishna in the prison and escaped from the hands of Kamsa and warned him that Krishna, the son of Devaki, is already born and he will put an end to the terror of Kamsa.
She is also the Goddess of the Kumaon region and is believed to be Shiva's wife whose eyes form the Naini Lake today.
This time of the year also celebrates autumn in Nainital. There are very few tourists and the rains have subsided leaving behind lush greenery. The following photos celebrate the feeling.

Hi Tapish, thanks for wonderful pics. Can you give more details? I am exploring what places to visit for upcoming long weekend Oct 2nd-4th. Nainital is one among the list.

- what kind of hotels to stay
- food options (I'm pure veggie)
- what all places to visit within Nainital (mainly I see boating as an option)?
- commute options within Nainital for sightseeing
- any other places nearby to visit
- I want to make it through flight from Bangalore/Chennai

Thanks in advance!

[arun_josie]

Originally Posted by sathya_nars

Hi Tapish, thanks for wonderful pics. Can you give more details? I am exploring what places to visit for upcoming long weekend Oct 2nd-4th. Nainital is one among the list.

- what kind of hotels to stay
- food options (I'm pure veggie)
- what all places to visit within Nainital (mainly I see boating as an option)?
- commute options within Nainital for sightseeing
- any other places nearby to visit
- I want to make it through flight from Bangalore/Chennai

Thanks in advance!

For stay, you can consider KMVN, they are good. You can book online as well. They have two hotels in Nainital, one is lake facing.

I have also stayed in Hotel Himalayas, which is good. Lake facing rooms are available.

For sightseeing, apart from boating, you can consider ropeway - cable car ride.

Since this is a long weekend, Nainital will be very crowded.

[Tapish]

Originally Posted by sathya_nars

- what kind of hotels to stay
- food options (I'm pure veggie)
- what all places to visit within Nainital (mainly I see boating as an option)?
- commute options within Nainital for sightseeing
- any other places nearby to visit

Hi Sathya,

Please find my answers below:

1. Nainital will be crowded in that particular weekend, so if you plan to go there, I would suggest book early.
2. KMVN Sarovar overlooks the lake (~3000 per night for Super Deluxe room), Himalaya hotel has lake facing rooms (3-4k). On the higher side, Alka (10k) and Manu Maharani (15k) are nice. Prices are indicative, check with respective hotels.
3. Vegetarian food will not be a problem at all. Purohit & Annapurna on the Mall are pure veg in addition to numerous Vaishno Dhabas in Tallital/ Mallital market.
4. Places to see in Nainital: China peak (go on horseback)/ Dorothy seat, tibetan market, mall road, Khurpatal area, snow view (take the cable car) etc.
5. You would not really need a car inside Nainital. Maybe a day of all sightseeing around Nainital. Taxis are easily available (~1000 per day for all random sightseeing)
6. If you are inclined, I would actually suggest you to stay at Naukuchiyatal (~22 kms from Nainital) There is a beautiful KMVN property called Parichay over there, its a really nice & tranquil place away from all madness. Lake Resort is good too.
7. Another good option may be to go to Binsar, KMVN has a beautiful property there in the middle of a wildlife sanctuary. This is around 100 kms from Kathgodam and 60 from Nainital. Really nice tranquil place where the rooms open up to a fabulous Himalayan view.

Let me know.

Tapish

[arun_josie]

Originally Posted by sathya_nars

Nainital is one among the list.

How many days are you planning for this trip? I don't think there is much in Nainital for more than 2 days. You can also consider places like Ranikhet, Binsar, Munsyari, Kausani, Almora etc. You may not be able to cover all these places but at least you can cover couple of places apart from Nainital. Also, it depends on whether you want to just relax or site-see as much as possible.

As mentioned by tapish, it would be better to stay in Naukuchiyatal considering the crown in Nainital.

[sathya_nars]

Yes, I was going to ask the same - 3 days may be overkill for Nainital alone?

Do all these places (Ranikhet, Binsar, Munsyari, Kausani, Almora) have a good scenary - anything specific to prioritize first..