Naukuchiatal Lake in Uttarakhand State is 26 Kms from Nainital and 4 Kms from Bhimtal at 1220 mts above sea level. A pretty deep clean lake with its nine corner is a captivating site. Length of lake is 983 mts. ,breadth is 693 mts & depth 40.3 mts. It is within an enchanting valley offering an opportunity of angling and bird watching. There is ample scope for rowing ,paddling or yachting
Nakuchiatal as the name suggests ‘lake of nine corners is a picturesque hill station adorned in the “City of Lakes” Nainital. The 175 feet deep, the placid lake is idyllically situated at an elevation of 1,220 metres above sea level. It is fed by an underground perennial spring. Nakuchiatal is considered as one of the deepest lakes in Nainital, having a length of 983 metres, breadth of 693 metres and a depth of about 40.3 metres. The lake is surrounded by enchanting flora and fauna, making it a pleasant sight to savour.
Naukuchiatal Lake in Uttarakhand State is a small nine cornered lake situated about 4 km from Bhimtal. We visited this lake one evening and walked around it as the sun was going down.
This is a very quiet lake with relatively small commercial activity at two ends of the lake. I wanted to walk around the lake and count its 9 corners but that was not possible as at one place the road going around the lake was closed. Still, whatever part was available we walked around. The best thing about this walk is that because of the irregular shape of the lake, every few steps the scene changes. Now you see the hill, now you see water peeping from behind the hill, now you see the sun and now you see the colorful boats. At some places, the triangular hills created a lovely geometric pattern with their reflections in the water.
Lotus Pond at Naukuchiatal
There is a small lotus pond next to Naukuchiatal. It was full of Lotus plants. I missed visiting it in the morning, when it must be full of flowers – most of them looked like pink or white lotus but then who knows. Colorful kingfishers added to the mystique of this pond. A poster near the lake clearly said – No plucking of flowers.
Since it was evening time, we saw visitors boating and zorbing in the Naukuchiatal. However, what I enjoyed the most was after sundown the operators were carefully deflating their zorbing balloon. Some visitors were taking horse rides while others were enjoying hit Maggie plates.
As per legends, Naukuchiatal is associated with Lord Brahma and even has a temple dedicated to him.
Roads around Naukuchiatal are relatively free of traffic so you can walk easily in the shadow of thick trees all around the lake.