Historical Background of Nainital
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.
Nainital is a glittering jewel in the Himalyan necklace, blessed with scenic
natural spledour and varied natural resources . Dotted with lakes
, Nainital has earned the epithet of 'Lake District' of India . The most prominent
of the lakes is Naini lake ringed by hills . Nainital has a varied topography
. Some of the important places in the district are Nainital , Haldwani , Kaladhungi
, Ramnagar , Bhowali , Ramgarh , Mukteshwar , Bhimtal , Sattal and Naukuchiatal
. Nainitals unending expense of scenic beauty is nothing short of a romance
with awe-inspiring and pristine Mother nature.
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).