Five Secret Hangouts at Nainital

Let’s face it – Nainital is no mountain hideaway. Unless you visit it in off season, it is crowded, noisy and dirty, milling with the very people you wanted to escape when you drove off from your urban abode. But don’t be disheartened, the good thing about Nainital is that it offers all the trappings of civilization while nestled in the beautiful Himalayan landscape. Simply follow these six golden rules and you will come back relaxed and happy. 1. Boating If you stand facing the Naini lake and filter out the honking of the cars, you will be enchanted by the splendour of the landscape. The sapphire lake lies at the foot of verdant mountains, dotted with psychedelic sail boats. Hire a boat for yourself and set sail. You might prefer the paddle ones if you like privacy but there’s nothing like sailing in the company of oars with a boatman regaling you with ancient anecdotes. Sail boats are another option. 2. Thandi Sadak The Thandi Sadak runs opposite the Mall, on the other side of the lake and is everything the cluttered mall is not – quiet, scenic, pictorial. It offers a quiet walk by the dappled lake, little joys of beautiful Kumaon. 3. Kilbury Get away from the crowds and head towards this beautiful region that offers picturesque treks, amidst thick groves of pines and deodars, offering a great view of the snow peaks. This is maidenly Nainital, which the British made their summer capital and which Jim Corbett talked about so fondly in his books. Pack a picnic lunch and indulge in some bird watching. 4. Heritage Visit the church of St. John in the Wilderness. Built in 1844, the church showcases typical Victorian architecture, built in stone with thick walls and stained glass windows. The altar inside the church is inscribed with names of the 1880 landslide victims. When at the Flats visit the Gurudwara here, resounding with the peaceful strains of the Shabad Kirtan, an oasis of tranquility in the teeming Tibetan market. The Naina Devi temple at the edge of the lake is where the lake and the town get their names from. It has thousands of bells strung all over the complex by the devotees. 5. Nainital at Night Get away from the mall as dusk falls and stand facing the lake from Thandi Sadak, or even the Tibetan market. The opposite hill looks strung with fairy lights and the twinkling is reflected in the lake, making the place look like a fantasy world. The picture will always stay with you, long after you have left Nainital.