Bhimtal Lake

Bhimtal Lake is a lake in the town of Bhimtal, Uttarakhand, India. There is an island at the centre of the lake. It is the largest lake in the only real lake district of India. It a perennial lake which not only supports a large variety of aquatic life but is a winter stopover for Trans Himalayan birds. The town though ancient was never prominent because of nearby Nainital which was the summer capital of erstwhile United Province of India and contained all the amenities to be found in any European town. But over time Nainital became crowded and ugly and the lake so polluted that people do not drink directly from it.

Bhimtal Lake is named after the second Pandava brother Bhima in the Mahābhārata who was known for his prodigious strength. The lake, which is larger than Naini Lake, is approximately 22 km (14 mi) from Nainital at an altitude of 1,370 m (4,495 ft). There is an island in the lake with a popular restaurant on it. There is also a 17th century temple complex, the Bhimeshwar, alongside a 40 ft (12 m) high dam at one end of the lake.
source: www.rediff.com