Nainital
The district of Nainital lies in the Kumaon division. To its north is Almora district and to its south lies the Udham Singh Nagar district. Champawat district flanks it in the east and district of Pauri Gahwal is in the  west. On the northern side lies the Himalayan ranges while on the southern side lies the plains making the resultant climate of the district enjoyable one.The total geographical area is 3422 sq km.
Geographically the district is divided in to 2 zones viz. Hilly and Bhabar. The hilly region in outer Himalayas is known to geologist as Krol. The highest peak of the district is Baudhansthali 2623 m high near Binayak adjoining Nainital town.The hilly region of the district. The hilly region of the district used to have big and small lakes. Bhimtal, Sattal, Naukuchiatal, Khurpatal, Nainital, Malwatal, Harishtal, Lokhamtal etc. are known lakes of bigger size.
The foothill area of the district is known as Bhabhar. The name Bhabhar is derived from a tall growing grass growing in the region. The underground water level is very deep in this region.
Kosi is the main river of the district. River Kosi arises out of Koshimool near Kausani flows on the western side of the district. There are number of smaller rivulets like Gaula, Bhakra, Dabka, Baur etc . Most of these have been dammed for irrigation purposes. Nainital district has good received good rainfall in recent years. As per 1999 records total average rainfall of district was 1338 mm while total average rainfall up to August 2000 was 1602 mm. Nainital is referred to in the ‘Manas Khand’ of the ‘Skanda Purana’ as the Tri-Rishi-Sarovar, the lake of the three sages, Atri, Pulastya and Pulaha who were reputed to have arrived here on a penitential piligrimage and finding no water to quench their thirst dug a hole and siphoned water into it from Mansarovar the sacred lake in Tibet.
The Second important mythological reference to Nainital is as one of 64 ‘Shakti Peeths’. These centres were created wherever parts of charred body of Sati fell, when Lord Shiva was carrying around her corpse in grief. It is said that the left eye (Nain) of Sati fell here and this gave rise to patron deity of town Nainital. It is said that the lake is formed in the emerald eye shape. Naina Devi temple is located at the northern end of the lake. Thus name of Nainital derivated from Naina and the tal (Lake).
Nainital Lake
The nucleus of the exquisite beauty Nainital is the beautiful lake. In the day, mirrored in its waters stand seven proud hills, dotted with pretty cottages and villas. This reflection alone holds one spell bound. More beautiful than this however is the lake at night when the myriads of bulbs from the hill sides and quite a large number hanging near the lake’s edge stab their magic light into its waters. The lake offers the holiday makers ample opportunity for yachting, boating or paddling the boat. Rowing as well as paddling boats are available at both ends of lake. The north end of lake is called Mallital while the southern one is called Tallital. Here is a bridge (popularly named Danth), having Gandhiji's statue and post office on its sides.There is Bus Station, Taxi stand and Railway reservation counter on the same lake bridge. Both ends have well laid out shopping centres, with beautifully laid off marts, stores and luxury shops.
The Mall
On one of side of the lake runs the Mall road which is named Govind Ballabh Pant Marg these days. It is lined up by many hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, shops, banks and so on. In summer months of May and June the Mall road is closed for vehicular traffic in evening hours to facilitate Mall strolling which is the famous attraction for all the tourists. This road is the main link joining Mallital and Tallital. On the other side of the lake lies the Thandi Road. It is comparatively less busy and have Pashan devi temple. Vehicles are not allowed on Thandi Road.
The Flatts
At the northern side of the lake there is a place of rendezvous for people from all walks of life. Here evenings are heavily crowded. There is a statue of Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant and a beautiful fountain. There is a band stand. The Flats has playing ground used for sports games and cultural activities during festivals. There is Chat Bazar,Bhotia Market in the flatts. In Bhotia Market vendors sell their fancy items. There is a Mosque, a Gurudwara and Naina Devi temple. The Capitol cinema and Rink theatre which is used for roller skating are also situated in flatts. A portion of the flatts is used for car parking. New club, Boat House club, Masonic Hall are in the periphery of the flatts for recreation.
Zoo
Around one km away from bus stand at an altitude of 2100 meters in sprawling open  area there is Govind Ballabh Pant High Altitude Zoo. Now a days it has Monkeys, Himalayan black bear, Leopard, Siberian Tiger,Palm civet cat, Wolf, Silver Pheasants, Rose ringed Prakeet, Hill Fox, Ghoral, Barking Deer, Sambhar. The zoo remains closed for visitors on Monday, all national holidays, Holi and Diwali.
Ropeway
The ropeway is one of the main attractions of Nainital. This ropeway connects Snow-View Point (at 2270 m.) with Nainital near flats. The aerial ropeway starts at Mallital, there are two trolleys to carry passengers. It takes approx. 151.7 seconds to cover one way journey by trolley. Cabin capacity is 10+1 or 825 kg.
Horse Riding
Horse riding is another important attraction for tourists in Nainital. Horses can be hired at Barapatthar. Several tourist use horses as their transport mode to visit the different peaks of Nainital. Horse Riding is now strictly prohibitted inside the Nainital town.
Governor’s House (Raj Bhavan)
 Raj Bhavan was built by British as residence of Governor of North West Province. Now Raj Bhavan is the official accommodation of Governor (Uttarakhand). State guests coming to Nainital also use it for their stay. It consists of a marvelous garden, golf links, swimming pool. Jhandidhar Modi Heights, Munshi heights are the other places in the complex worth seeing. The Governor’s House was built in the line of Buckingham Palace having double storied 113 rooms. For visiting this place prior permission is needed. 
Hanuman Garhi
It is around 3.5 Kms away from the bus stop at an altitude of 1951 Mts. Hanuman Garhi is a religious centre and famous for its sun set view .One can go to Hanuman Garhi by taxi, bus or even on foot from Nainital .It has a temple complex presiding deity being Lord Hanuman besides Ram and Shiva. At the instance of Neem Karoli Baba around 1950 these temples were built. On the other side of the hill there is Shitala Devi temple and Ashram of Lila Sah Bapu.
Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences
Situated on Manora peak and about 1 km from Hanumangarhi if some one prefers to visit it on foot . By road it is about 9 km from Nainital. It is a centre of astronomical studies and optical tracking of artificial satellites. For night viewing of stars and planets some days are fixed on moon lit nights and permission is necessary.
The observatory was established at Nainital in 1955 and shifted to present location of Manora Peak in 1961. The primary objective of the observatory has been to develop facilities for modern astrophysical research in stellar, solar and theoretical branches of astrophysics.On some selected clear nights the visitors are also shown some celestial objects through the telescopes.
Tel No. 05942-235136/235883.
Snow View Point
It is the most easily accessible hill top, at a height 2270 m and at a distance of 2.5 Km from the town. The spot is accessible through ropeway. This peak is also connected by motor able road. Snow view as the name suggests offers an indescribably beautiful and breath taking picture of the glittering snows of Himalyas. It has a temple and there are teastalls.
Kilbury
At an altitude of 2194 m and 10 km from the town this place is accessible by a motorable road. There is a forest rest house for night stay. Kilbury is an ideal spot for a quiet and peaceful holiday.
Adventure and Sports
To sailors all over the country, the Nainital Yatch Club has been an embodiment of tradition & repository of sailing heritage. The Lake the fountain-head of yatching, has promoted through the club, the keen interest India has in the sport. Every year national & zonal races are held in Naini Lake.
Swimming competetion are also organized in Nainital in summer months. Beside this Canoeing, Kyaking competetion are organized in Naini Lake. Parasailing facility is available near Naukuchiatal. One can experience this sky adventure in the company of experienced parasailors .
In adventure sports Hotbalooning is another attraction at Nainital. Hotbalooning camps are organized at Sukhatal. Golf Tournaments held every year in Golf Course of Raj Bhavan.
Hockey, Football, Cricket, Boxing tournaments take place in Nainital annualy in their respective seasons at Flatts.
Nainital mountaineering club at Nainital is pioneer in the area of mountaineering & rockclimbing training. Rock Climbing training takes place at BaraPathhar & Camels back .
British Settlement
The british occupied Kumaon and Garhwal in 1815. After the British E.Gardiner was appointed as the commissioner of Kumaon Division on May 8 1815. In 1817 the second commissioner of Kumaon Mr. G.W. Traill has conducted the second revenue settlement of Kumaon, Mr.Traill was the first European to visit Nainital but he did not popularize his visit in respect for the religious sanctity of the place.In the year 1839 an English businessman from Rosa, Mr. P. Barron a sugar trader and his friend an avid hunter strayed into the hills while hunting they got lost and while finding there way back chanced on the wondrous spot. So enamored was Barron with the vision of the placid lake that he left the sugar business and build a European Colony on shores of the lake. In 1841, Nainital appeared in issue of the ‘Englishman Calcutta’ announcing the discovery of a lake in the vicinity of Almora. According to the earliest data available on tourist in Nainital by 1847, it had become a popular hill resort. On 3 October 1850, the Nainital Municipal Board was formally constituted. It was the second Municipal Board of North Western Provinces. To catalyse the formation of a town the administration transferred land to the wealthy Sah community of Almora, on condition that they build houses on the land. In 1862, Nainital became the summer seat of the North Western Provinces. After it was made the summer Capital, a remarkable expansion of the town occurred with the growth of magnificent bungalows all around and construction of facilities such as marketing areas, rest houses, recreation centres ,clubs etc together with the secretariat and other administrative units. It also became an important centre of education for the British who wanted to educate their children in the better air and away from the discomforts of the plains.
Social System
District Nainital has rich cultural traditions and heritage. The main towns of the district are cosmopolitan and its people are associated with various religions and sets living through generations. Broadly eighty percent of population follows Hindu religion, the rest part belongs to Sikh, Muslim, Christian, Buddha, etc. religions. The major part of population follows Kumouni traditions. Marriages are mostly arranged by the parents after tallying horoscopes. The main functions of marriages are Ganesh Pooja, Suwal Pathai, Dhuliargh , Kanya-daan, phere, vida. The traditional kumouni barat take a lively colour in presence of Choliya Nritya (Dance) and playing of turais (trumpets) ,dhol ,damua. But now a days people are seen dancing on the tunes of bands in Barat.
Cuisines
 People are mostly rice eating in habit but wheat, maduwa and other grains are also consumed. In pulses, people prefer Urad, Gahat, Bhatt, Masur . Meat is also common among the people. Ceremonial food consists of Kheer, Singhal, Poori, Pua, Bada, Kapa made of Palak, Raita, Khatai etc. The other typical Kumaoni foods are Chudkani and Bhattiya made of bhatt and Soya been, Gautras made of Gahat, Jholee made from mattha, Gaba vegetable. In towns restaurants provide general food along with Chinese amd South Indian dishes. There are people who enjoy fish, Tharus and Bengali settlers come in this class<
Fairs and Festivals
After harvesting season people mostly relax, rejoice, dance and sing thus a festival is generated. At the transition of sun from one constellation to another Sankranti is observed. Each Sankranti has a fair or festival connected to it somewhere in Kumoun.
Fooldeyi, Bikhauti, Harela, Ghee Sankranti, Khatarua, ttaraini are the mostly observed Sankranties throughout the region. Other festivals have the bearings in the moon and the dates changed frequently in Gregorian Calendar. Basant Panchami, Shiv Ratri, Holi, Samvatsar Parwa, Ram Navami, Dashra, Batsavitri, Rakshabandhan, Janmastmi, Nandastmi, Deepawali etc are some of the auspicious occasions.
Fairs are organised on these occasions on certain places. The Uttaraini Mela at Chitrashila near Ranibag is observed on Makar Sankranti Day (approx. 14 th January). Kumaoni people feed the crows on Uttaraini day by saying ‘Khale Kaua khale Ghughuti Bada Khale’. On Buddha Purnima Day, in the month of May there is festivity near Budhansthli, while Bhimtal observes Harela Mela on 16 or 17 of July. Baishakhi Purnima day brings rejoicing near Lokhamtal while Kainchi temple premises is gay on 15 June. Kakrighat has Somnath Fair on the last Monday of Baishakh, Garjia is full of festivity on Kartik Purnima day in the month of November. Nandashtami Festival is observed with full devotion in the district, fairs are organised at Nainadevi temple Nainital and Bhowali.The Kumaoni people use the fortnight of Shradha in late September or early October to remember their passed away ancestors.
Life Style
At all auspicious occasions tilak made out of processed turmeric with akshat (Pithya) is put on the forehead. Village ladies are seen with a long pithya starting from the upper nose up to forehead. Various superstitions exists as common throughout the country. A black spot is put on the forehead of a child to ward away from evil spirits.
Courtesy calls are made on days other than Tuesday and Saturday. Mourning calls are made exclusively on Tuesday and Saturdays. Visit to sick persons are not made on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Females do not pay visit to their mothers on Thursday. Elders are greeted by touching their feet with ovation of pailagon and responded by chirinjivi bhav or saubhagyavati bhav.
Others are greeted with folded hands using Namaskar. Married women put round ingoor or sindoor on their forehead . On special occasions married women wear huge golden nose ring called nath. Black beaded garland on their neck is considered to be the pious symbol of leading a married life for a woman. Golden necklace is commonly used but poor people use silver in the neck known as Hansuli.
So far as the usual dress is concerned females wear sari but there is still a longing for the conventional dress of ghaghara-pichora . Every lady keeps it ready for ceremonial occasions.
People live in houses made out of stone or bricks. Few old constructions are made out of wood also. Wood carvings which was very common in the past are now very rare.  In hilly area, roofs have slopes and roofing is done with the help of tin or slates of stone.
In villages, animals live in ground floor called Goth and human beings in first floor.
Hill temples are the monuments having mixture of deep sense of art and culture. Sculpture varies with the time of inception of the temple. The mode of worship is also different in many aspects from that of plains. These temples act as the nucleus of the social and cultural activities. Hill people orgnise Jagars to please local deities. Golu, Bholanath, Sam, Aidi, Gangnath are some of the local deities.
Cultural Traditions
The tradition of colorful ornamentation on Aanchal cloths is a unique Kumouni tradition, rooted deep in its long history. In all ritual ceremonies women wear pichora, also known as Rangwali. It is a piece of muslin cloth, 3 mts. in length and one and half meters in width. It is dyed yellow, and is then printed with design with a padded wooden stick using red colours. At the centre is the sign of Swastik, and the motifs of sun, moon, bell and conch shell . The style of painting is locally known as Aipan. During ceremonies and festivals the women set themselves to decorating the floor & walls of their houses with designs & patterns . The material used is the paste of rice mixed with ochre.
The floor of the worship room and the seat of Gods and Goddesses, are decorated with specific tantrik motifs called Peeth or Yantra. A Yantra is a diagrammatic representation of the deity, and consists of linear or septal geometrical permutations of patterns considered as the plan of the terrestrial places where the deity resides.
For Namkaran Sanskar, the Aipan on the wooden chauki comprises motifs of sun, moon, bell etc. In the Janeu, the Aipan shows the zodiacal sign of Great bear arranged in hexagons, to invoke the blessings of Sapta-Rishis. In marriage ceremony, the Dhuliargh Chauki bears a design of big water-jar, symbolising primordial water from which the universe emerged.
Flora and Fauna
 District Nainital is a unique district of Kumaon having tropical type, subtropical type, temperate, sub alpine and alpine zones in its lap. On one side its Terai and Bhabhar belt contains the climate resembling with plain areas on the other the deep valleys having an elevation unto 1000 Mts. rear plants of hills as well as plains. The middle Himalayan ranges unto 2000 m are temperate zones growing a number of typical temperate climate plants. The sub alpine unto 2500 m. grow high altitude plants an have the capacity to rear plants of alpine zones as well. Alpine zone is referred to the land between snow line and above 2000 Mts. This is a typical high Himalayan belt.
District Nainital contains all the zone except the alpine one. The soil structure and texture also varies from high sandy soils having 70 to 80% sand to clay soils in which the clay percentage is unto 20% . In between vast tracts possess sandy lome soils which are neither heavy nor very light. The hilly region is covered with Sal ,Pine, Oak, Buruns, Kaphal and other trees growing unto 6000 ft. along with Deoda, Surai etc. at higher altitudes .There are small tracts of cultivated lands and fruit orchards etc. in between the forests in this region.
The Bhabhar region has Babul, Kikar etc. in abundance besides sal , Khair, Shisham as big trees. The Bhabhar grass and lantana form the undergrowth. These are considered to be the vegetation of dry and arid zones. Haldu is also common in Bhabhar region.
Horticulture
Apple orchards are found mainly in Ramgarh Mukteshwar belt. Beside this Peach, Pears, Apricot, Citrus fruits, Kafal, Strawberry, Hills Banana grown in the hilly track. Lichi of Ramnagar makes Nainital a main fruit growing district. Tea plantation work is alsoin progress in the slopes of Niglat and Ghorakhal. Now a days a number of floriculture farm have mushroomed in the district due to its favorable climate for growing flowers.
Medicinal Flora
In its Terai and Bhabhar belt a number of medicinal trees, shrubs and herbs grow like Vijayasar, Arjun, Bhilwa, Varun, Gambhari, Kutuj, Tejpatra, Priyangoo, Danti, Sarivah, Shwet Sarivah, Brahmi, Satwahi, Patha, Bhringraj, Punarnava, Kamal & Kamalni, Gokhru, Anatmool, Marodfali, Talwarfali, Ashok, Kaliyali, Pipli, various species of Mentha and so on. There is potential to grow Mulhatti, Aswagandha, Saptaparna and so many other plants of various zones of India. These plants can also grow in the deep valleys of hills. In the middle Himalayan range we find  Daruharidra, Timoor, Manjishtha, Sugandhabala, Samayava, Manduparna, Dhooplakkar, Talish, Devdaru, Padam, Vidhangabhed, Kakoli, Ksheerkakoli, Lahsuniya and so many other plants. This range has the potential to grow plants like Saffron, Vindhanga, Ghritkumari and so on.The sub alpine zone of this district grows Fern, Deodar , various other species of Daruharidra, Sugandhabala, Banapsa. It has the potential to grow plants like Gandhanarain, Kutki, Kooth, Bhootkesi, Junipers, Abies which is called Fern.
Herbs are widely used in indigenous system of medicines like Ayurveda, Yunani, Aamchi (Tibetan System) for skin diseases, stomach disorder, nervous disability, liver diseases. Many of these are used in heart and brain tonics. Some are blood purifiers and strengthen the immunity mechanism. At present crores of this herbal raw material is supplied to Haldwani, Ramnagar, Dehradun andother mandis of plains. Bheshaj Sanghs and K.M.V.N. has the official authority to collect these medicines.
Animals
Presbytis schistaceous (Himalayan Langoor), Invus rhesus (Monkey), Urssus Tibetans (Rich), Martes flavigula (Black capped Marten), Hysrix leucura (Indian Porcupine) ,Sus Indicus (Wild pig), Cervulus aurens (Barking deer), Pteromys petaurista (Brown flying squirrel), Nemorhoedus goral (Gural).
Birds
Corvus macrohynchoes (Jungle crow), Corvus splendens (house crow) , Parus monticolus (green backed tit), Trochalopteron lineatrum (Streaked laughing Thrush), Turdus boulboul (Grey Winged Black Bird), Passer domesticus (House Sparrow), Certhia himaayana (The Himalayan Tree Creeper), Acridotheres tristis (Common Myna), Pericrocotus brevirostris (short billed minivet).
Fish in Nainital Lake
The fish belong to one group commonly known as carps. Generally cat fishes are not found in the lake. Among carps both major and minor fishes are present in the lake. The major fishes have three important classes , Mahaseer the so called hill trout and the mirror carp.  Two species of this fish are found in the region.Tor tor : The red finned mahaseer. Tor putitora : The yellow finned mahaseer. It is highly valued as a food fish, and normally grows to a large size from 20 to 60 cm.
Hill Trout
Commonly known as Asela or Rasela. This fish comprises three species.Schizothorax sinuatusSchizothorax richardsoni Schizothorax plagiostornus
Mirror Carp
Cyprinus carpis, it has been imported and is bred on a large scale in Nainital.The common carp fishes such as mahaseer and hill trout have been found to breed several times during one spawning season from May to September.
Industries In District Nainital
Nainital has achieved a special status in industrial development. HMT watch Factory Ranibag, Century Pulp & Paper Lalkuan, IOC bottling plant Motahaldu are the main industries of the district.Soyabeen Factory Halduchaur, Eureka Forbes , APIC ,Usha Rectifier Bhimtal ,Hartico Ramgarh are other important industries .
Transport
Kathgodam is 35 km away and is the last terminus of broad gauze line of North East Railways connecting Nainital with Delhi, Dehradun and Howrah.
Tourist coming by rail mode can take Taxi or Buses from Kathgodam or Haldwani. Taxis are available on shared seat basis at Haldwani Taxi stand & as well as at Kathgodam, Haldwani & Lalkua railway stations. While most of the buses starts from Haldwani roadways bus stand.
Computerized railway reservation counter is situated near Bus Stand at Nainital. This facility is also vailable at Kathgodam and Lalkua railway stations.
Road
Nainital is connected to National Highway No. 87. Regular roadways buses run from Delhi, Agra, Dehradun, Haridwar, Lucknow, Kanpur & Bareilly daily . Beside this luxury coaches are available from Delhi for this place .Distances of some nearby cities from Nainital are as follows.
Air: Pantnagar 70 Kms from Nainital is the nearest airport. The other nearest air ports are at Delhi and Lucknow.
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