Places to visit in Bhimtal: Hypnotic Beauty in Uttarakhand

My childhood was full of the various stories and tales of the epics- Mahabharata and Ramayana. I grew up listening to the stories of the ancient Indian warriors and their illustrious wars. Thus, I love to travel to places of historical significance. One such place that I always wanted to visit was the famous Bhimtal Lake in Uttarakhand. It is said that the famous Pandavas used to stay in this area of northern India during their exile.

Although I plan all my trips way before traveling, this time I was a bit lost. My visit to the Bhimtal town was not exactly planned, and it happened all of a sudden. I was supposed to go and meet my friend in Nainital last winter. But as fate had it, I was stranded in this small town of Uttarakhand. I had to stay for two days before I could restart my journey to Nainital.

Initially, I got a bit upset, but then I decided to utilize this opportunity to see this marvelous town of the Pandavas. I didn’t get much help from the internet, and so I decided to take the help of a local guide for sightseeing within these two days. I will forever be thankful for this visit as it turned out to be one of my most memorable trips ever.

So, next early morning, I took a cab from the nearby stand and went off to discover the historical remains of our Indian epics. Along the journey, I heard the stories of this town and how the different places got their names from various ancient events.

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About Bhimtal, a State in Uttarakhand

Bhimtal is a small town in the Kumaon area of Nainital district. This town is set at an altitude of more than 1500m above sea level. This place is neighboured by Udham Singh Nagar, Pauri Garhwal, Almora, and the Champawat districts. The Himalayan mountain range borders the northern area of this town. Bhimtal is about 22kms away from the Nainital district.

Bhimtal town has gained popularity among avid travelers for its unique historical sites and beautiful locations. One of the most famous attractions of this place is Bhimtal Lake located bang in the middle of the town.

History of the Town

The Mahabharata is a famous Indian epic, and Bhim was one of the main characters of this epic. He was one of the Pandavas. He is renowned for his great powers and for killing his enemies, the Kaurava brothers, in the famous Kurukshetra war.

Bhimtal city is named after this famous character of the Mahabharata, Bhim. There is a belief that during their exile, Bhim visited the banks of the Bhimtal Lake. An old Shiva temple, called Bhimeshwar Mahadev Temple is present on that location near the lake. The present temple dates back to the early 17th century, built by the famous Raja of Kumaon. Thus, Bhimtal is much older than the city of Nainital.

Nainital is around 200 years old, but this place has been here from the times of the Mahabharata or even longer. The old roads of this place connect the Kumaon region to Kathgodam. The old roadways were a part of the renowned ancient silk route.

How to Reach Bhimtal Town?

The town of Bhimtal is well connected to its nearby cities and states via both air and road. You can take a flight or a train to reach this place.

By Air: The nearest airport is the Pantnagar airport, located around 56 km away from the town. You would need about 2 hours to travel to the city from the airport. You can get flights operated by Air India to this place.

By Road: This town is around 313km from Delhi, and there is a regular bus service from the capital. You would require around 7-8 hours to reach this place, depending on the traffic. The town is well connected by NH 9. You can also take cabs or private car to reach your destination.

By Rail: Kathgodam is the nearest railway station to Bhimtal town. This station is around 8kms away from the city.

Places to Visit in Bhimtal

I made a long list of places that I wanted to visit in the Bhimtal town. So, when visiting this place, do your homework and prepare well for the areas you wish to see. Some of the major attractions of this town are:

Bhimtal Lake: This is one of the most renowned lakes in our country. It forms a C-shaped structure and stretches over an area of 47 hectares. This place is located at around 4500 feet and is the habitat of few exquisite species of both flora and fauna.
Victoria Dam: The best places to visit in Bhimtal include the Victoria Dam. Located on one end of the lake, this place and its surroundings provide the best panoramic view of the lake.
Bhimeshwar Temple: This temple is very famous in its worship of Lord Shiva. People from all over the world come to celebrate the festival of Shivratri here.
Folk Culture Museum: This museum which was constructed in 1983 is the perfect place to study the historical significance of Uttarakhand. Also known as the Lok Sanskriti Sangrahalaya, this museum has some rare collections of wooden antiques.
Hidimba Parvat: Hidimba Parvat is a beautiful hill, located around 5km from the town. This mountain is named after the wife of Bhim, Hidimba. This area has become a shelter for many animals and plants. Clean air and stunning mountains would surely make your visit a memorable one.
Nal Damyanti Tal: Another remarkable place near the vicinity of the Bhimtal Lake is the Nal Damyanti Tal. Just sit around and let your soul wander in the serenity and calmness of this place.
Butterfly Research Centre: The scholars who have an interest in the field of entomology can visit this place for its rare butterfly collection. There are different guided tours available for viewers to know the details of the various types of winged creatures.
Pines Old Cemetery: Go for a leisure walk through the old gravestones which date back to the early 1800s.
Naina Peak: The most distinguished place to visit when in Nainital is Naina Peak. This place gives the perfect view of the mighty Himalayan range and the entire Nainital town. Do not forget to capture the spectacular snaps of the city along with the marvelous views of the mountains.

The Bhimtal Lake

This lake and the town both got their names from the legendary Bhim of the Mahabharata fame. After the Anglo-Nepal war, the British government constructed a dam on this lake in 1883. The ruler of the Kumaon kingdom, Raja Baz Bahadur Chand, built the temple on the banks of this lake. Initially, this dam was built for irrigation purposes, but later it was used for drinking water.

Different researchers have diverse opinions on the origin of this lake. However, the popular one is that the shifting of the numerous plates of the Earth’s crust created this lake. But the continuous pollution and sewage disposal are worsening the quality of the lake very severely.

Activities to Do In Bhimtal Town

This small town offers lots of different kinds of activities for diverse groups of travelers. You can go hiking or trekking in the nearby mountains and the hilly region of Bhimtal city. Camping is a great option to consider if you are traveling in a group. You can also opt for paragliding and enjoy the view of the town from the Naukuchiatal region. Another sport to try out is the horse riding which is found near the Bara Pathar route in Bhimtal.

Bhimtal Lake provides suitable conditions for practicing boating in the lake. When around the lake, you can sit around the banks and gaze at the mesmerizing views of the sun setting along the horizon. You can capture some of the breath-taking pictures of nature from this area.

Do not forget to try out their local cuisine at the nearby hotels by the lake. The people in this town are amicable and provide the best services to travelers. So if possible, meet new people and hear the folklore of this town from the locals.

Few Tips to Keep In Mind

The following tips are useful to keep in mind if you are planning to visit this town and the lake.

Take proper permission from the Deputy Commissioner if you wish to do fishing in the Bhimtal Lake.
You can get the local food from the kiosks which sell street food around the lake.
Carry something warm as it tends to get a bit cold in the evening.
Do not pollute the water or the surroundings.
If you want to avoid the crowd and noises around the lake, do visit the lake in the early hours of the morning.
If you ever get confused, it’s better to take the help of a local guide.

I understood a simple fact of life from this trip. The unplanned things often turn out to be the biggest surprises of your life. At least, that’s what happened to me on this unexpected trip of mine. After two days, I left for Nainital with lots of sweet memories and experiences of the Bhimtal town in my heart.

Rebecca John