Just a short, scenic drive from Blessed Aura, tucked away from the main tourist trail, lies a small, serene lake known as Nal Damyanti Tal. While smaller than Bhimtal, this lake holds perhaps the most evocative and sacred folklore in the entire Kumaon region. The Tale of the Two Lovers The lake is named after the legendary figures from the Mahabharata: King Nal and his Queen, Damyanti. Their story is one of love, separation, and extreme hardship. It is believed that during their 12 years of exile, the couple lived in a magnificent palace on the very spot where the lake now stands. When the gods finally granted them their return, the palace, by divine will, sank into the earth, and the crystal-clear waters of the lake rose to cover it forever. The Golden Guards What makes Nal Damyanti Tal "sacred" in the eyes of locals are its residents. The lake is home to a unique species of golden-hued fish. According to the lore, these are no ordinary fish; they are the guardians of the sunken palace and are considered sacred manifestations of King Nal’s lost wealth. To this day, fishing is strictly prohibited in this lake. It is a quiet, meditative experience to sit at the edge, feed the fish, and watch them glide through the water, as if patrolling the ramparts of their sunken home. The Architectural Connection As a 6-room retreat, Blessed Aura is designed to celebrate the quiet, contemplative side of Bhimtal. We encourage our guests to visit Nal Damyanti Tal not as a sightseeing stop, but as a place for reflection. The legend of the crystal palace is a powerful reminder that sometimes, the most magnificent architecture is not what is built on the hills, but what is hidden within them.