Pines Old Cemetery
| Pines Old Cemetery | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Details | |
| Location | |
| Country | India |
| Coordinates | 29°23′14″N 79°28′35″E / 29.3873°N 79.4763°E |
| No. of graves | ≈150+ |
The Pines Old Cemetery, also known as Kala Khan Cemetery or Nainital Sensorium, is a British-era burial ground[1] situated approximately 3 kilometers from Nainital on the Bhowali Road. Established in the mid-1850s, it served as a final resting place for British and European settlers, including missionaries, soldiers, and administrators.[2][3][4]
The cemetery is notable for being the resting place of many victims of the catastrophic landslide on September 16, 1880, in Nainital, India which claimed around 150 lives.[5] The cemetery is located in the middle of a pine forest, near the Kailakhan military cantonment in Nainital hill station. It is accessible via the Bhowali Road, approximately 3 kilometers from the Talitaal Bus Terminal.[6]
Restoration
[edit]As part of the restoration, a sensorium was created at the cemetery. A sculptural extension was added to the original gate to mark the entrance.[7] A natural stone trail passes through the pine forest and graves, featuring installations based on the five senses: vision, touch, taste, smell, and hearing.[8] These include a mirror cabin, wind chimes, deodar wood louvers, a garden with apples, malta, and buransh, and tactile elements such as natural stone and bark. A culvert was designed as a seating area, and the trail ends with an installation related to the cycle of life.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ "New lease of life for British-era cemeteries in Nainital".
- ^ "The Pines Cemetery of Nainital will now be called Memorial Park, soldiers killed in World War are buried here". 10 June 2022.
- ^ "History of the Pines Old Cemetry in Nainital, India" (PDF).
- ^ "Some lesser-known properties in India where you can ring in the New Year". The Indian Express. 2020-12-30. Retrieved 2025-02-18.
- ^ Info, Nainital (2016-01-14). "British Era Cemeteries in Nainital". Nainital.Info. Retrieved 2025-02-17.
- ^ CWGC. "Kala Khan Cemetery, Nainital | Cemetery Details". CWGC. Retrieved 2025-02-17.
- ^ "Sensorium Component – Compartments4: Exploring Embodied and Sensory Knowledge". compartments4.com. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
- ^ "A step towards heritage! The historic cemetery of Pines is being developed as a tourist destination, basic facilities for tourists will be taken care of". Breaking news latest News Fact Check Politics Bollywood Hollywood Heritage Inspiration - Awaaz24x7. Retrieved 2025-05-18.
- ^ "After tireless efforts, the renovation of the British-era Pines cemetery of Nainital has started, a tourist spot will be developed here at a cost of Rs 143 lakh".