Bhimtal Tourism

This is a secular religious spot where devotees throng the place of worship irrespective of the religion. The best time to visit it on Thursdays when the mazar is visited by Muslims, Hindus and Christians alike. What makes this a remarkable tourist destination is the view of the Bhimtal Lake and the island from the mazar.

The town of Bhimtal does not have a large number of places to visit but one of the popular spots which allow you to peak into the history of the town is the Folk Culture Museum. Also known as the LokSanskritiSanghralaya, the museum displays rare artefacts such as photographs and paintings that date back hundreds of years. Also, the museum has a rare collection of rock arts and items from different regions of Uttarakhand. You will also be able to view some rare idols of various Hindu Gods and Goddesses and some rare manuscripts. 

Also known as Sat Tal which literally means the ‘seven lakes’ this is basically a group of seven inter-connected lakes. Located at an altitude of 1370 meters, the Sat Tal are freshwater lakes (Sita Tal, Ram Tal,Purna Tal,Panna Tal,Laxman Tal, Nal-Damyanti Tal, and Sukha Tal or Khurdariya Tal) which are a paradise for a number of migratory birds which also manage to attract bird loving enthusiasts from across the world.

Few of the avian fauna which will enthral you at Sattalare kingfishers, barbets (lineated, crimson-fronted, plum headed and brown-hearted), woodpecker (grey-capped, yellow-crowned, rufus-bellied, and stripe-breasted), Indian tree pies, leaf birds, pheasants, sunbirds, flower-pecker, buzzard, rose-finch and many more. Apart from the birds, there are much more that will capture the attention of tourists. There is a wide variety of fish in the freshwaters of the lakes. 

Not far from the town of Bhimtal is one of the most popular hill stations in the country – that is Nainital. Overlooking the Kumaon Hills, the hill station is famous for housing Jim Corbett’s home and the Naini Lake. There is much to do in Nainital such as visiting the Sher-ka-Danda Ridge, Nanda Devi Temple, St. John in the Wilderness church, Gurney House, Naina Lake and many more.

Originally called the Hailey National Park, the national park is located not far from Bhimtal. The park is renowned for being the background of the famous Rudyard Kipling’s Jungle Book but that is not all. The park is a wildlife enthusiast’s haven as it allows you to spot the tiger.

The town has a decent number of restaurants and eateries which offer all kinds of cuisines inspired from across the country. Few of the best restaurants in Bhimtal are Gravity of the Lake, Southern Delights, Italiano and George’s Wild Orchid. 

While at Bhimtal, always try out the simple but tasty Garhwal cuisine which is known for its usage of hash seeds also known as bhang. The presence of bhang in the Garhwali cuisine along with tomatoes makes it different and absolutely delicious. Few of the best dishes in the region which is served in the restaurants of Bhimtal are bhang-jeera chutney and other rice dishes. Also, do not miss an opportunity to taste juices made of the local fruits such as burash or rhododendron juice and malta juice. Few, other Garhwali fruits which can be tasted in Bhimtal are are kaafal or bayberry) and kilmudi, mekauti or (malta). If you are visiting the town during the festival season, do not forget to taste the special desserts such as Roat, Arsa, Sei, Gulgula, Kesar Halwa, Jhagora ki Kheer, and Rwatna.

For a shopping experience head to the Mall Road at the town centre which is dotted with small shops and kiosks that offer a rare opportunity to buy statues and carpets from the region. Also, it offers an opportunity to buy Garhwali paintings and woodcrafts which are intrinsic to the culture of Uttarakhand. The town shops also sell organic products in and around the region.

Walking and trekking around the jungles surrounding the town is probably the most popular activity in Bhimtal. Also, there is the opportunity to boat in the many freshwater lakes of Bhimtal. If you are not into any of these then capture some of the rare species of birds and butterflies in and around the lake area. Bird watching is very popular activity in the region. 

The Bhimtal Lake is one of the most popular lakes in the country and draws more than a million tourists every year. The lake is spread over an area of 47 acres, with a huge dam and an aquarium built on an island at the center of the lake, making it a major tourist attraction in Uttarakhand. It is the largest lake in the Kumaon region of the state, which is known for having numerous lakes.

The best thing about the lake is its tranquility and serenity, which make it ideal for nature lovers who like to spend some quality time in such places. A walk along the lake, boating and exploring the local food stalls are just some of the many activities you can indulge in. 

Interesting facts about Bhimtal Lake:

• The town and the lake are named after Bhima of the Pandavas. 
• The old Bhimeshwar Mahadev Temple is believed to be built when Bhima visited the land during Pandavas banishment. 
• The old pedestrian trail near the lake area was once part of the Silk Route. 

About Bhimtal Lake:

Bhimatal Lake is one of the most beautiful and well-maintained lakes in the country that offers multiple activities for you to enjoy. The Bhimtal Dam was built during British rule in 1883. The 150m long and 14m high dam has 12 gates in it, making it a sight to behold. Once used for irrigation purposes in the village, it is now majorly used as a source of drinking water for the locals. 

Another major attraction is the availability of boating activities, which give you a glimpse of some of the most stunning landscapes in the backdrop. Furthermore, if you are interested in exploring the aquarium, the only way to do that is by traveling to it via boat. People who know how to ride canoes or kayaks will find many options for them as well, allowing them to explore the lake on their own. 

How to get to Bhimtal Lake:

The nearest airport to the lake is the Patnanagar Airport. You can avail a taxi or a cab to reach the lake within 2 hours as it is just 55.5 kms away from the airport. 

The nearest railway station is the Kathgodam Railway Station, which is just 25 kms away from the lake. 

You can visit the lake by a cab or bus from pretty much all the nearby towns as Bhimtal and Nainital. 

Best time to visit Bhimtal Lake:

The best time to visit Bhimtal Lake is during the months between March to June and September to December. Since the lake is at an elevation of 4500 ft, it can get quite chilly during the winter. This is why people who love the cold weather should visit the lake during the months of December, January and February.

Timings and entry fees:

The Bhimtal Lake stays open between 9 AM and 6 PM every day of the week. You can easily spend 2-3 hours here so you should plan your visit accordingly.  

The entry to the lake is absolutely free but you will have to pay Rupees 150 per person if you want to indulge in boating. 

Bhimtal Lake is one of the most picturesque lakes in North India with a beautiful hill range in the backdrop. To get the best deals to visit this tranquil lake, get in touch with Thomas Cook. 

Located in the outskirts of the town, this is a hillock which is named after another character from the epic Mahabharata –Hidimba who was actually a demoness. According to mythology, Hidimba transformed herself as a beautiful lady to attract the Pandava brother - Bhima. Today, the hillock is known to harbour a large number of wildlife species and an environmentalist by the name of Vankhandi Maharaj has taken upon himself to preserve the area. He has established the Vankhandi Ashram which is surrounded by a wildlife sanctuary known for its rare flora and fauna. This is a great opportunity for many to view wild life in their natural habitat.

An Approximately 2 kilometer from the town of Bhimtal is another natural lake which is comparatively smaller than the Bhimtal Lake and is called the Nal Damyanti Tal. The lake gets its prominence for being the lake where King Nala, one of the famous kings of the region drowned. This has made the lake not only famous but also sacred among the locals of the region.

Named after the mythical cobra called Karkotaka, the hill houses a temple dedicated to the cobra popularly known as the Nag Karkotaka Maharaj. The temple manages to attract thousands of devotees from across the town and the country for being the one of the rare Nag Temples in the state of Uttarakhand. The temple is especially popular during the Hindu festival of Rishi Panchami. 

Kids will love Bhimtal because of its lake and for the opportunity to boat across the blue waters of the lake. Though there is not much to do in Bhimtal, you can take long walks along the lake with kids who can see a variety of flora and fauna which will make them feel excited. The jungles around the town also make it a good space for wildlife species; hence, keep a look out for the deers that roam about.

This is the most prominent places to visit in Bhimtal and dates back to the 17th Century. Like the town, the temple derives it names from Bhima, the Pandava brother. Built by BazBahadur from the Chand Dynasty, the temple is dedicated to Hindu Lord Shiva and attracts hundreds and hundreds of devotees during the famed Hindu festival of Shivratri. 

This is a secular religious spot where devotees throng the place of worship irrespective of the religion. The best time to visit it on Thursdays when the mazar is visited by Muslims, Hindus and Christians alike. What makes this a remarkable tourist destination is the view of the Bhimtal Lake and the island from the mazar.