Nal Damyanti Tal is a small and beautiful high-altitude lake located at a distance of 6 km from Bhimtal in Nainital district of Uttarakhand. This lake is on the way Sattal, just one km ahead of it. Situated at an altitude of around 1370 meters, this stunning lake is surrounded by lush green forests, making it a perfect destination for nature lovers, couples, and adventure enthusiasts. It is one of the seven lakes of Sattal cluster.
Nal Damyanti Tal Overview
| Entry Fee: | Free |
| Kayaking: | No |
| Boating: | No |
| Best Time to Visit: | Any time of the year except monsoon but summers are recommended |
| Exploration Time: | 15 minutes |
| Famous For: | Sightseeing |
| District: | Nainital |
| Nearest Railway Station: | Kathgodam (31 km) |
| Nearest Airport: | Pantnagar (65 km) |
Best Time to Visit Nal Damyanti Tal
The best time to visit Nal Damyanti Tal is during the summer months of April to June and the post-monsoon months of September to November when the weather is pleasant and the skies are clear.
If you are looking for snowfall, December and January are the best months to visit. But keep in mind that during the winter months, the lake and its surroundings are covered in snow, making it difficult to reach.
Things to do at Nal Damyanti Tal
- This lake is surrounded by lush greenery which makes it perfect for sightseeing.
- Bird Watching is one of the most popular activities at this place. Pangot is only 35 km from here, which is home to thousands of local and migratory birds. Nal Damyanti Tal an Sattal are home to many resident as well as migratory birds.
- Swimming and fishing is strictly prohibited in the lake.
Two Popular Legends of Nal Damyanti Tal
1st Legend
The mythological legend of Nal Damyanti Tal is associated with the King Nala and Queen Damyanti, who were well-known for their love and devotion to each other. The legend goes that Nala, the ruler of the kingdom of Nishadha, was a skilled charioteer and a great warrior. He was also known for his love for gambling and often played dice games with his friends.
One day, a serpent named Karkotaka approached Nala and offered to be his friend and protector. Nala accepted the offer and promised to help the serpent whenever he needed it. However, Nala’s gambling habit led him to lose all his wealth and kingdom to his rival, Pushkara. He was forced to leave his kingdom with his wife, Damayanti.
During their exile, Nala and Damayanti came across the serene and beautiful Nal Damyanti Tal, where they spent some time in each other’s company. It is believed that the lake was named after the couple and that they shared their love and devotion here. The area around the lake is also believed to be the site where Nala was cured of his snake bite by Karkotaka, who he had promised to help.
The story of Nala and Damayanti is considered to be one of the most beautiful and romantic tales in Hindu mythology. Their love and devotion to each other have been an inspiration for generations, and the lake where they spent some time together is revered as a sacred site. Today, the lake and its surroundings are a popular destination for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts, who come to experience the beauty and tranquility of this serene location.
2nd Legend
According to this legend, Nala’s palace was situated near the Nal Damyanti Tal. One day, the palace was cursed by a sage, causing it to submerge into the lake. It is said that the ruins of the palace can still be seen at the bottom of the lake, and local divers claim to have seen its remains.
The legend further goes on to say that during the submergence of the palace, a tunnel was formed between the Nal Damyanti Tal and the nearby Sattal, which is another popular lake in the region. It is believed that the tunnel connects the two lakes, and the water level in both the lakes remains the same.
This mythological legend has added to the mystical and enchanting aura of Nal Damyanti Tal, and the area around the lake is considered to be a sacred site. Visitors often come here to witness the beauty of the lake and to explore the ruins of Nala’s submerged palace, which adds to the allure of this scenic destination.
How to reach Nal Damyanti Tal
By Road
This area is well-connected to all the major cities of India by private as well as government buses. One can take a bus from Delhi to Haldwani and book a shared/private cab from Haldwani. Nal Damyanti Tal is 38 km away from Haldwani, which takes more than an hour to reach depending on the traffic. The route gets moderate to heavy amount of traffic during weekends.
By Train
The nearest railway station to Nal Damyanti Tal is Kathgodam, which is at a distance of 36 km. This is the last railway station after which the hilly region of Kumaon starts. This railway station is very well connected to major cities by regular trains. Tourists can find many taxis from this station to reach the destination.
By Air
Pantnagar Airport is the nearest domestic airport to Nal Damyanti Tal, which is 66 km away. Indira Gandhi Airport at a distance of 333 km in New Delhi is the nearest international airport. Both airports are active and frequent flights are available. There are many taxis available just outside the Pantnagar Airport to reach here. Or one can take a cab from Pantnagar airport to Haldwani from where many shared and private taxis are available to reach the destination.
