Bhimtal Lake
भीमताल
The largest lake in the Kumaon region. An aquarium café on an island in the lake makes it quieter than Naini Lake.
Bhimtal Lake is about 22 km southeast of Nainital and is the largest lake in the Kumaon lake district. Its name comes from Bhima, one of the Pandava brothers in the Mahabharata. An aquarium and café sit on an island in the lake, which you can reach by boat. On the lakeshore are a 17th-century Bhimeshwar Shiva temple and an old dam. You can go boating and kayaking on the lake, and the surrounding hillsides offer paragliding. The small town of Bhimtal is peaceful and has plenty of accommodation. It is often combined with Naukuchiatal and Sattal in a one-day loop around the lakes.
Opening hours
All day (cruises approx. 08:00–18:00)
Nearby sights
- Sattal
- Naukuchiatal
- Kainchi Dham
- Pt. G. B. Pant High Altitude Zoo
- Hanuman Garhi
- Lok Bhavan (Raj Bhavan), Nainital
- The Mall Road
- Snow View Point & Nainital Ropeway