Photologue: Nainital

[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.