If you’ve been following my previous articles you might be well aware of the fact that I Work at a public sector bank as assistant manager and currently posted at Nainital, a beautiful hill station of beautiful hill state Uttarakhand. I belong to Haldwani and Nainital is roughly 50 Kms from my Home. Since my childhood, I along with my family frequently visited Nainital for a picnic or paid visits to my relatives at Nainital. During those visits, I was not able to embrace the beauty of this beautiful scenic place called Nainital.

Now, I am posted at Nainital and currently residing here. After this long god has given me a chance to explore and embrace this marvel. I work roughly 10 AM to 6 PM at the bank and dealing with various people throughout your day tires you mentally. after I finish my work I try to explore the city. I straightly walk my way to Naini Lake and enjoy the calmness and serenity. lights reflecting at Naini lake look so mesmerizing that you can spend the whole night looking like this only.

Nainital is the only reason that made me a mountain lover. I bought myself a bike and went ahead to explore the place.

Before proceeding further, I think I must tell you some history of Nainital.

Brief History of Nainital

Nainital was founded by Mr. P. Barron a British mountaineer in 1841. the locals were aware of this place for a very long time but they didn’t want Britishers to know of this place. but Peter Barron somehow managed to find Nainital and introduced this place to rest of the world. In 1842 he published an article on major English daily of Bengal writing about the beautiful lake between the 7 mountain ranges popularly known as Ganganchal. Britishers first rejected the claim of P Barron and didn’t believe if such a place exists. But later they believed. Then started the urbanization of Nainital. Nainital was among a handful of municipalities in British India and totally governed by Britishers.

Britishers Felt like home at Nainital, because of its resemblance with Britain itself. during that time Britishers were facing problems of plague, cholera, malaria and other diseases that were widespread in plains. They were having hard times raising their children in India. Soon as they found Nainital they realized that this place is cold enough to resist the growth of deadly bacteria and viruses. They opened boarding schools at Nainital. Try searching for top 10 schools in India you’ll definitely find 2-3 schools of Nainital as well.

Britishers built their big bungalows/ Mansions here and made efforts to beautify the Naini lake, developed Naina Devi Temple for the locals here. Their joy in finding this place didn’t last for long. In 1881, a huge landslide from adjoining mountain killed hundreds of Britishers and destructed their homes. They studied the cause of this landslide and found out that due to the construction of mansions and huge buildings the water stuck and mountain soaked this water and slid down. Britishers then built a proper drainage system in the mountains and let the water flow to the Naini lake.

During British times there was set rule of allotment of land for construction and place was not crowded at all. After India gained independence private construction went up exponentially due to poor laws and lack of supervision.

Reasons Why I love Nainital

1.The Lake

As I grew up in Haldwani and has seen only Nainital as a hill station. During my childhood, my mind has the Nainital model of Scenic Beauty. When my friends told me about other hill stations like Mussoorie, Shimla, Mukteshwar, and others, it was hard for me to imagine them without a lake. when I grew up and went to a few places I missed the presence of a lake and I still miss it and all I remember how beautiful Nainital is. Lake is the best part of Nainital and that is the reason why Britishers settled here and why Nainital got its name.

When you are sad or tired, come to the lake, its serenity will cheer you up and you’ll forget your sorrows.

2. The Mountains

Mountains bring stagnation into your speedy life, they make you closer to yourself. They bring alienation from worldly sorrows and make you feel and enjoy the sound of silence. Sometimes I just take my bike and go into the wilderness. Laying in the top of Lonely mountain while experiencing sun rays appearing through the tree leaves and pouring into your face.

You’ll hear, Birds chirping,  wind blowing and sound of tree leaves, Just be silent and listen to the Music of Nature

3. Fresh Air

According to the latest research by American Geophysical Union Pollution reduces the age of individuals living in Delhi by 6 precious years. Below is the chart of the states affected by the rise in pollution.

It’s my advantage to live in such a place that doesn’t kill me. The fresh air of Nainital even found to have increased the age because it prevents you from diseases. Bhowali city which is nearly 10 km from Nainital has a sanatorium which heals patients suffering from TB(tuberculosis). This sanatorium was built by Britishers because Bhowali’s environment has this perfect temperature that halts the growth of TB bacteria and heals the patient.

One can safely assume that he can earn precious 10 years of life if he leave Delhi and live at Nainital or its vicinity.

4. Liberal Society

People living in Nainital, still preserve British legacy by maintaining a liberal and progressive society. This is maybe because of the fact that after independence Nainital was developed as a tourist place. One thing that history has taught us that society becomes liberal and progressive when different cultures meet. so, people here don’t have prejudices about others. They don’t stick their foot on other’s matter until they are invited. You can have your own way of living, No one will question you.

5. Lively Place

This is the single reason that differentiates Nainital from other hilly places. Nainital celebrates every major festival, be it Dussehra, Diwali, Holi, Eid, Christmas or New year or local festivals like Nanda Devi Mela, Harela, etc. You can enjoy Melas and events every month. Since the British period, different sports are being organized at DSA stadium (the Flats) throughout the year, like, hockey, football, basketball, and cricket. On the other side, one can enjoy open theatre Drama being organized at BM Shah Open theatre in English, Hindi, and Kumauni.

Nainital is a blend where you can enjoy the calmness of lake and mountains and can enjoy the liveliness of the city. If you are planning to visit Nainital Don’t forget to notice the facts I have mentioned.