When you think of Nainital, the first thing that comes to your mind is the crowded but famous 'Mall Road' always filled with tourist and locals, shops, eating joints and the Lake during peak seasons and snow during winters. It is a point of union between Mallital with Tallital that makes it the busiest places in Nainital especially during peak seasons from May to end of June. Now it has been renamed as the Govind-Ballabh Pant Marg by the government and vehicles are strictly prohibited to enter this road except rickshaws are allowed to carry passengers from one end of the town to the other.
The Mall Road stretches over 1 km up to the Nainital Boat Club and acts as the point of entry and exit for Nainital which remains closed at different times during the year. Peak seasons during May, June and October, light vehicles like cars and bikes cannot enter from 0800 hrs to 1100 hrs and 1430 hrs to 2000 hrs and from November to April, vehicles are prohibited from 1800 hrs to 2000 hrs. As you arrive here from the main road close to the Bus Stand, you are welcomed with the lovely Naini Lake on your left set amidst seven hills and towards the right; you will find many hotels, shops and restaurants. On the other side of Mall Road is the 'Thandi Sadak' which means 'Cool Road' where you can take quite strolls and enjoy time in solitude as it not crowded at all and vehicles are also strictly prohibited here. You can also visit the Pashan Devi Temple located here to offer your prayers.
You can start your journey of the Mall Road from any point. As you walk by you will find many shops selling imported items like Belts, Bags, Wallets and many more including exquisite candle shops that homes beautifully designed candles for which Nainital is very famous so do buy one for your home or to gift your loved ones. Banarasi Gift Centre is one of the famous One Stop Shop where one can purchase anything from gifts, wooden items, candles, betel nut, Soft Drinks, Ice creams and other items of daily need and use.
Eating stalls are very famous along this road that offers tourist a variety of cuisines ranging from continental to Mughlai, Punjabi and Bengali. The Mountain Trail Lodge in Mukteshwar situated 45 km east of Nainital is known by few tourists where local Kumaoni cuisines are served on special request but it is better to call first and ask before you land up there disappointed.
Another delight in Mall Road is the Nainital Tibetan Market that can be very addictive especially when you have so many ready to sell at bargain price. As you enter, you are welcomed with smiling faces of the Tibetans and few locals offering items ranging from duplicate designer colognes and perfumes, bags, shoes, jackets, sweaters and many more all sourced from China. Even customers wearing the best original colognes and clothes shop here. So imagine the variety that it offers you that fits your budget.
After shopping, you can stop by at the entrance of the Tibetan market to enjoy delectable and famous Chinese momo or dim-sums with the hot red chilli sauce. After eating, visit the Naini Lake for a good boat ride by either paddling or rowing though rowing will be less likely after the tiring shopping spree; however, yachting can be a far more superior experience than boating especially for those who already enjoyed boating in the past. Tickets can be booked from the Nainital Boat Club and Yacht Club for an hour at a reasonable rate depending on the peak and non-peak months.
Apart from shops and restaurants, you will also find that the Mall Road is well equipped with Banks, ATMs like HDFC, ICICI and State bank of India to name a few should you run short of money though it is highly recommended that you carry enough cash during peak seasons as these ATMs could run out of cash too. Travel Agencies are also available to help you with any tours.
The Mall Road forms the main link between Mallital and Tallital also dotted with shops and restaurants.
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