Bhimtal Tourism
Bhimtal, named after the mythological Bhima of the Mahabharat, is close to Nainital in Uttarakhand. The town has come up around one of a group of many natural lakes in Nainital, the Lake District in the state.
The small green town at an altitude of 1370 meters in the Kumaon Hills in the lesser Himalayas, is at a lower elevation than Nainital, but is a pleasant all the year round destination. In summer it can get hot and the winters are not as cold at the hill stations. As it is closer to Delhi than Nainital, it is fast becoming a popular weekend getaway from the city.
Dotted with small temples atop the green Kumaon hills, and natural fresh water lakes in close proximity, Bhimtal is a serene town, good for relaxation and an enjoyable destination. Most visitors stop here en route to Nainital, but one can stay at the numerous hotels in Bhimtal and make excursions to the nearby lakes and temples. Boating in the lake is a favorite pastime, as this lake is bigger than the Nainital Lake and not as crowded.
As Bhimtal is a quiet town, you can enjoy the solitude, the beautiful natural setting, take walks around the lake and trek to the other lakes, which are a few kilometers away. Dense oak, pine trees and shrubs surround all the freshwater lakes.
Nature lovers can watch the migratory birds and butterflies around the lakes. There are many species indigenous to the area. The lakes also have fish in them, but fishing is prohibited. The local people have also set up private camp sites near the lakes.
Best Time to visit
Bhimtal is a year round destination, though the best time to visit is from March to June in summer and September to November in winter. In the months of December and January, it is cold in Bhimtal but not as cold as in the surrounding hill stations of Uttarakhand. In Monsoons in July and August, the hill roads are not very good to travel and are landslide prone.
Places to see in and around Bhimtal
- Bhimtal Lake- The Lake is larger than the Nainital Lake. The small island (91 meters from the shore of the lake) is in the center of the lake and a popular tourist attraction. You can visit the island by a boat.
- Satvik Sadan- An ashram offering yoga and Vedic philosophy training is close to the Lake.
- Bhimeshwara Temple- The 17th century temple dedicated to lord Shiva is on the bank of the Bhimtal Lake.
- Sattal (2 kilometers from Bhimtal)- A group of seven interconnected beautiful lakes. The lakes have pristine clear water and are surrounded by green forests and orchards. Many migratory birds are seen around the lakes.
- Subhash Dhara- A fresh water natural spring west of Sattal.
- Sat Tal Mission Estate- a colonial Christian Methodist ashram is on the bank of the Sattal Lake. There is church and a chapel here.
- Butterfly Museum- The museum at the Jones estate has a large collection of butterfly specimens found in the area.
- Hidimba Parvat- The hill near the lakes in Sattal is named after the mythological Hidimba of the Mahabharat.
- Vankhandi Ashram- The forest on the Hidimba hill is a sanctuary and has an Ashram.
- Naukuchiya Tal- A Lake with nine corners is at a peaceful location (4 kilometers from Bhimtal). The lake is said to be the deepest of all the lakes.
- Garg Parvat- the source of a small river called Gaula in the local language.
- Nal Damyanti Tal- A natural lake held sacred by the local population. It is 2 km from Bhimtal.
- Nag Temple at Karkotaka hill- The temple is one of the famous nag temples in Uttarakhand.
- Golu Devata Temple- The temple is at Gorakhal near Bhowali. Golu Devta is the main deity of the Kumaon region.
- Khurpa Tal- This Lake at an altitude of 1635 meters is close to Nainital. It is surrounded by terraced fields and is a popular angling destination.
- Nainital- The district headquarter and major tourist spot is 20 km.
- Bhowali- Only 11 kilometers away. The town is a gateway to the Hill stations in the Kumaon region and famous for its fruit market.
- Kathgodam- The town with closest the rail head is 21 km. The temples of Sheetla Devi and Kalichaud are the local attractions.
- Pant Nagar- An industrial township which houses India's first Agricultural University and the closest airport to Kumaon.
- Haldwani- The historic trading town is an important transit point and a very crowded city.
- Corbett National Park (50 km away)- India's oldest national park and also a tiger reserve. There is a wide variety of wildlife such as elephants and tigers and many species of birds.
- Rudrapur- The industrial capital of Uttarakhand is developed on the fertile terai plains. Gurudwara Nanak Matta a Sikh pilgrimage is located here.
- Delhi- the capital is 300 kilometers away.
How to Reach Bhimtal
Nearest Airport
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