Naina Lake

Naina Lake is a 3.5 km stretch of stagnant water, which is surrounded by seven mountains. This pear-shaped lake is divided into Mallital in north and Tallital in south. The two ends are connected to each other by a lake bridge, which is called Danth. This bridge features a post office, which is the world’s only post office that is located on a lake bridge. Besides, statue of M.K. Gandhi, bus stand, taxi stand and railway reservation counter can also be found on the bridge.

According to Hindu mythology, this lake is one of the 64 Shakti Peethas, which is believed to be the eye of the charred body of Sati (Parvati) that fell on this site, while being carried by Lord Shiva. The goddess Shakti is worshipped at the Naina Devi Temple, which is situated on the northern shore of the lake.

Another mythological story attached to the lake is mentioned in the Manas Khand of the Skand Purana. In the epic, Nainital Lake is referred to as Tri-Rishi-Sarovar, where three sages, Atri, Pulastya and Pulaha, dug a large hole and filled it with water from the holy lake Manasarovar in Tibet. As per the belief, a dip in Naini Lake earns merit equal to the dip in the Manasarovar Lake.