10 Lakes in Lake District of India And Their Fables That Lure You To Travel

This article on Feeding Trends tells you about the beautiful and mesmerizing lakes in India, which all are found in Uttarakhand, Nainital is called as the lake district of India as it includes Bhimtal, Naukuchiyatal and Sattal, the latter one being the interconnection of seven lakes in one.

We all are aware of Nainital – the famous hill station of Uttarakhand surrounding the deep green lake is called Nainital. Do you know Nainital is just one of the many lakes in Kumaon Valley? The area where the hills just begin in Kumaon when you approach from the plains of Haldwani or Kathgodam is full of big and small lakes like the famous Bhimtal.

Somehow, Nainital lake has captured the hearts the most, the most famous one of course! It is a blissful experience to walk around these lakes. Uttarakhand comprises many other lakes too, but these 10 Lakes mentioned in the article are a must watch and a must-go-to place.

As these are pleasing to the eyes, they capture one’s heart and soul along with giving a relaxed and soothing effect to your mind - all at the same time! Now let us have a brief description of the lakes in the lake district of India one by one, beginning with Bhimtal.

1. Bhimtal

This lake is named after Bhima, a mythological character in the Mahabharata. Bhimtal is an ancient town in the hills of Kumaon. The town also holds religious significance because of the Bhimeshwar Temple. Situated at the banks of Bhimtal lake, the old Bhimeshwar Mahadev temple is believed to have been built when Bhima visited the place during the period of Pandavas banishment.

The present temple was built in the 17th century by the King of Kumaon whose name was Raja Baz Bahadur Chand. Bhimtal has been a place of stoppage for travellers of the region for a long time and is much older than the town of Nainital. The traditional beliefs say that the lake was formed by Bhima’s “Gada” (Mace).

As the talks go, when the Pandavas were travelling all over Kumaon during their exile period, one warm day, Draupadi asked for water. Bhima looked for it but was not able to find some. Frustrated and angry, he hit his mace to the ground with such force that it created a crater, which was miraculously filled with water.

It is the largest lake in the Kumaon region and centre of attraction as well.

2. Naukuchiatal

Situated in the lap of Kumaon hills, it is believed that Naukuchiatal was created as a blessing by Lord Brahma (the creator in Hindu Mythology) after a hard penance or Tapasya by the locals. A small shrine dedicated to Lord Brahma is situated close to KMVN guest house.

According to a local belief, performing a circumambulation or parikrama of Naukuchiatal Lake brings you a good fortune by the grace of Lord Brahma. It is also believed that no one can ever see all the nine corners of Naukuchiatal in a single stretch on the foot.

If someone tries to take a glimpse of all the nine corners at once, the person will either die or will attain nirvana (if viewed in a specific time).

3. Sattal

Sattal is a cluster of mysteriously interconnected seven freshwater lakes located in the Nainital district of Kumaon region. Sattal that literally suggests the ‘Seven Lakes’ is a scenic place which exhibits pleasing surroundings which are made more prominent by the delightful atmosphere that could even tempt the lazy ones to have a rendezvous.

The British used to compare the eye-catching beauty of Sattal with the Westmorland of England. During the colonial era, Sattal had a tea plantation area which was among the four tea plantation estates of Kumaon region. The dazzling Sattal meaning the ‘seven lakes’ is linked with a popular legend that is related to the epic Mahabharata.

According to the famous mythology, King Nala drowned in the water of one of the seven lakes of Sattal with his wife Damayanti, during his fourteen year-long exile given by his brother. Hence, the lake came to be known as Nal Damyanti Tal.

The names of the other six lakes are Purna Tal, Laxman Tal, Sita Tal which are named after the lead character of Ramayana; Sukha Tal or Khurdariya and Garud or Panna Tal are named after the phoenix-like creature that carries the chariot of Lord Vishnu.

Here it was about the Lake districts of Kumaon, Bhimtal, Sattal and Naukuchiatal which are 5 km from each other. These lakes are those scenic beauties that offer green surroundings, wooded walks, excellent views and where guests can do a bit of boating too!

4. Nainital

Nainital is mentioned in scripture as Tri-Rishi-Sarovar, the lake of the three sages i.e. Atri, Pulastya and Pulaha who were reputed to have arrived here on a penitential pilgrimage, and, finding no water to quench their thirst dug a hole and siphoned water into it from Mansarovar the sacred lake in Tibet.

The Second important mythological reference to Nainital is as one of 64 ‘Shakti Peethas'.These centres were created wherever parts of the 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 this 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 the name of Nainital derived from Naina and the tal (Lake).

This brings us to the end of this article. All these lakes in the lake district of India are exceptionally beautiful, and their stories will come true before your eyes once you visit them. But before you set out to travel, please check out the right season to visit this place.

Don’t miss eating the delicious dishes of the area while on the way and buying the local famous articles as gifts for your dear ones. So dear readers, this was it! Go and explore these beautiful lakes in the lake district of India!
Why do we need to go outside India to explore beauty? We have a lot to see here. Don't we?

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