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SATTAL :- Literally meaning seven lakes all the group
of small lakes nested together, about 23 kms from Nainital at
an altitude of (1370 MT) still untouched by modernisation -
one can see the natures beauty at its best.
Seven Lakes Of Sattal :-
* Panna Tal or Garud Tal
* Nal-Damyanti Tal
* Purna Tal
* Sita Tal
* Ram Tal
* Laxman Tal
* Sukha Tal or Khurdariya Tal
Sattal is comparable with Westmoreland of England
Sattal is an interconnected group of seven freshwater lakes
situated in the Lower Himalayan Range near Bhimtal, a town of
the Nainital lake district in Uttarakhand, India. During the
British Raj, the area had a tea plantation, one of four in the
Kumaon area at that time. The lakes sit at an altitude of 1370
metres, below lush orchards in the Mehragaon valley. Set amongst
dense forests of oak and pine trees, Sattal is one of the few
unspoiled and unpolluted freshwater biomes in India. These lakes
are a paradise for migratory birds. It is home to a few camps
being operated mostly by local people catering to tourists looking
for outdoor vacations.
History Of Sattal
Religious beliefs pertaining to the Sattal lakes go back to
the times of the Mahabharata. The Nal Damayantital is named
after King Nal. King Nal, one of the most famous kings of Hindu
mythology, was sentenced to a fourteen year exile by his brother,
Pushkar. Penniless and ostracised, he and his wife Damayanti
sought refuge in Sattal, among other places.
Saat Tal Lake, 1895
View of Sattal Lake, Sath Tal is a conglomeration of seven lakes
in the Kumaon hills in the Nainital district, an area which
came under British rule after the Anglo-Nepal War (1814-16).
This is a view looking down on a lake at Sat Tal (Seven Lakes)
surrounded by thick forested hills.
Photograph of Sath Tal from the Macnabb Collection (Col James
Henry Erskine Reid): Album of views of 'Naini Tal' taken by
Lawrie & Co in 1895.
Biological Diversity of Sattal
Sattal is unique for its biodiversity and ecological amplitude.
It has 500 species of resident and migratory birds, 20 species
of mammals, over 525 species of butterflies and over 11,000
species of moths, beetles, bugs and other insects. The flora
covers a wide and diverse range of plants ranging from Bryophytes,
orchids, rare climbing plants, ferns, lichens, fungi, medicinal
herbs and shrubs. Each individual lake has its own unique Diatom
index. The Trophic Diatom Index uses the composition of freshwater
diatom assemblages to assess water quality and ecological status.
Birds of Sattal
The unique avian fauna of Sattal includes red-billed blue magpie,
kingfishers, blue-throated and brown-headed barbets, lineated
barbet, golden-throated barbet, crimson-fronted barbet, coppersmith
Barbet plum-headed parakeet, slaty-headed Parakeet, chestnut
bellied rock thrush, titmouse, babblers, jungle Owlet, fish
eagle, pied woodpecker, brown-capped pygmy woodpecker, grey-capped
pygmy woodpecker, brown-fronted woodpecker, stripe-breasted
woodpecker, yellow-crowned woodpecker, rufous-bellied woodpecker,
crimson-breasted woodpecker, Himalayan woodpecker, lesser yellownape
woodpecker, greater yellow-naped woodpecker, streak-throated
woodpecker, grey-headed woodpecker, scaly-bellied woodpecker,
common flameback woodpecker, Indian tree pies, blue whistling-thrush,
lammergeier, Himalayan Griffon, crested serpent eagle, flycatchers,
cheer pheasants, Kalij pheasant, Koklas pheasants, dollarbird,
leaf birds, flowerpecker, purple sunbird, brown headed stork-billed
kingfisher, stork-billed kingfisher, crested kingfisher, white-throated
kingfisher, pied kingfisher, common kingfisher, blue-eared kingfisher,
Himalayan kingfisher, Mrs. Gould’s sunbird, green-tailed sunbird,
black-throated sunbird, black-breasted sunbird, Crimson sunbird,
fire-tailed sunbird, thick-billed flowerpecker, plain-leaf flowerpecker,
fire-breasted flowerpecker, russet Sparrow, rufous Babbler,
black-headed Jay, scaly-breasted wren-Babbler, black-capped
sibia, blue whistling thrush, finches, mountain hawk eagle,
black eagle, eurasian jay, white-rumped needletail, black-headed
jay, black-lored, black-throated tits, black bulbul, ashy-throated
warblers, black-chinned babbler, rufous-breasted accentor, red-billed
blue magpie, grey-winged blackbird, Eurasian griffon, common
buzzard, black-chinned babbler, pink-browed rosefinch, common
wood pigeon, slaty-headed parakeet, laughingthrush, chestnut-tailed
minla, lemon-rumped warblers, and many more.
Photograph of a Tea Plantation at Sath Tal from the Macnabb
Collection (Col James Henry Erskine Reid): Album of views of
'Naini Tal' taken by Lawrie & Co in 1895. Sath Tal (Seven Lakes)
is in the Kumaon hills in the Naini Tal district. During the
Colonial period, the British found tea imported from China was
too expensive to satisfy the large demand so they began tea
plantations in India, halving the cost. The hill-stations had
an ideal climate for tea-growing and the most famous areas were
Assam and Darjeeling. Experiments to develop these particular
varieties of tea were carried out at the Botanical Gardens in
Calcutta. In the Kumaon area there were four plantations producing
good quality tea.
Fish in Sattal
Sattal has many different varieties of fish. Mahseers (Tor tor
and Tor putitora) are found here in large numbers. Labeo rohita,
Cirrhinus mrigala, Schizothorax richardsonii and Catla catla
are some of the other fish found in the lakes.
Butterflies in Sattal
Some of the butterflies found at Sattal includes Indian fritillary
(Argynnis hyperbius), peacock panzy, blue peacock, Paris peacock,
red-base Jazebel, red lacewing, yellow pansy, tawny Rajah, red
Helen, large silverstripe and thousands of others.
Butterfly Museum in Sattal
There is a rich butterfly museum built by Frederic Smetacek
at Jones Estate, which has over 2,500 butterfly and moth specimens
and 1,100 species of insects that are found in this region.The
museum was established by Federic Smetacek, better known as
‘the butterfly man’.
Sattal Mission Estate and Methodist Ashram
The Sattal Christian Ashram was established by E. Stanley Jones
(1884-1973), the evangelist and missionary. This Christian Ashram
is situated on the banks of Sattal lakes, on a former tea estate.
St. John's Church is part of this ashram and showcases a mixed
colonial architecture. There is also a Sattal Christian Ashram
chapel situated nearby. It was established in 1930 to introduce
Christianity into the Kumaun region of Uttarakhand. Revered
Stanley Jones was a friend of Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther
King. Earl Denman, who attempted Mount Everest alone and secretly
with Tenzing Norgay in 1947, stayed in this Ashram for many
years.
Subhash Dhara
There is a spectacular and gorgeous natural spring of fresh
water arising out of dense oak forest west of Sattal.
This is a natural spring that mesmerises people with its crystal
clarity and beautiful location.
Things to Do in Sattal
An interconnected group of seven freshwater lakes, Sat Tal can
be christened as one of the best places to enjoy natural beauty
and bird-watching in Uttarakhand. Sattal is applauded for its
biodiversity and is famous for being the abode of approx.
Sattal
Weather
Akin to other places in the Himalayan region, Sattal experiences
pleasant climate round the year. The summer months of April,
May and June also observe pleasant climate, making it an ideal
getaway for the people from plain lands.
How
to Reach Sattal by Air :-
The nearest airport at Pantnagar. The closest International/National
airport is New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport -
Palam Airport (320 kms from Sattal)
How
to Reach Sattal by Rail :-
Take your train from Old Delhi railway station or from Nizamuddin.
Nearest Railway Station is at Kathgodam. Kathgodam Railway Station
is about 34 km away from Sattal. The distance from the railway
station to Sattal can be covered in nearly 1 hour.
|
STATION
NAME (FROM-TO)
|
DEP.
TIME
|
ARV.
TIME
|
TRAINS
NAME AND CLASS |
| DELHI
- KATHGODAM |
2245
HRS
0600 HRS
|
0445
HRS.
2040 HRS.
|
RANIKHET
EXPRESS
1A, 2A, SL,II |
| AGRA
FORT - LAL KUAN |
2200
HRS
0835 HRS
|
0615
HRS
1910 HRS
|
KUMAON
EXPRESS
2A, SL, II |
| LUCKNOW
- LAL KUAN |
2110
HRS
0625 HRS
|
0605
HRS
2050 HRS
|
Nainital
EXPRESS
2A, SL, II |
| HOWRAH
- KATHGODAM |
2145
HRS
0845 HRS
|
1155
HRS
1930 HRS
|
BAGH
EXPRESS
2A, SL, II |
|
SHATABDI
EXPRESS:- Runs
between New Delhi-Kathgodam-New Delhi twice a week (Friday
& Sunday) during summer vacations.
NOTE:- For precise details of dates,
timings and fares of all the above trains, we request
you to kindly confirm with the Indian Railways before
making reservations.
From Kathgodam the drive to Sattal takes approx One
Hour and from Lal Kuan the drive to Nainital is approx
85-95 minutes.
Kindly
Note :- Though
time varies to reach Nainital as it depends on the traffic,
time of the journey (morning daytime or evening) and
the mode of Transportation.
| Kausani
by road from nearest Railhead |
| Kathgodam |
34
Kms |
| Lalkuan
(via Almora) |
54
Kms |
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How
to Reach Sattal by Bus :-
Sattal is well connected by state owned bus services. Bus services
connect Kausani to other hill stations like Almora, Ranikhet,
Nainital and Pithoragarh. Many overnight buses owned by private
companies ply between New Delhi and Kausani. Take the correct
bus from I.S.B.T. it is a 10 hour journey which connects the
route including other hill resorts-Ranikhet, Almora, Gwaldam,
Pittoragarh and Nanital. Kindly Note : Private Bus service mostly
operate during the season period.
Distance
of Sattal
Sattal is about 23 kms from Nainital, 320 kms
from Delhi and 13 kms from Bhimtal.
You Can Visit Sattal By Taxi Or By Tours & Travel Packages.
Nainital
Tourism offers Transport & online booking Luxury
- Deluxe and Budget in various Camps - Hotels & Resorts
in Sattal.
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For
Hotel Booking or Package related enquiry please
Contact
Here
Or Talk to us at 09536-1182-78 or
09027-1555-78
Office Landline Number: 05942- 237476 (10.30
am - 6 pm) |
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Bhimtal
Sattal
