Pines Old Cemetery

The Pines Old Cemetery, also known as Kala Khan Cemetery or Nainital Sensorium, is a British-era burial ground 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.

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. 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.

Restoration

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. A NATURAL stone trail passes through the pine forest and graves, featuring installations based on the five senses: vision, touch, taste, smell, and hearing. 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.