Naina Devi Temple | History, Timings & Festivals

Naina Devi Temple is located in Nainital and is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas. The Temple houses the deities of the Hindu and Sikh community. Naina Devi Temple timings are from 5:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Naina Devi Temple Overview:

The Naina Devi had named after the famous mythological story about Sati Devi. As this Temple is one of the Shakti Peethas, it signifies the place of Strength, which means Shakti in Hindi. It had situated on a triangular hillock, also known as Naina Dhar hill, at an altitude of 3535 feet above sea level.

The Temple attracts many devotees as this place was considered a famous shrine of Goddess Sati. The popular hill resort in Himachal Pradesh, known as Nainital, is named after the famous Naina Devi temple. 

People from every area of the country come here to seek the blessings of Naina Devi Maa. It is about 20 km from Anandpur Sahib and had surrounded by famous places like Bhakra Dam, Anandpur Sahib and Govind Sagar Lake. 

History of Naina Devi Temple:

Naina Devi Temple had built based on many mythical stories, and one of the interesting stories is that of Shiva and Sati. Sati, also known as Parvati, is the consort of Lord Shiva. 

Sati burned herself alive in a yajna (sacrificial bonfire), which offended Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva started his Tandava dance across the country, carrying his wife’s corpse, Sati, on his shoulder.

It angered all the gods in heaven. Vishnu, seeing this, decided to act on the ongoing situation, which would lead to a holocaust, so Vishnu unleashed his chakra on Sati’s body, which broke her body into 51 pieces. 

These pieces fell in different parts of the country, and the places where these pieces fell are now known as Shaktipeethas. Hence there are a total of 51 Shaktipeethas all over the country. Sri Naina Devi Temple is the place where Sati Devi fell. 

Another Story of Naina Devi Temple:

Another story related to this Temple is that of a Gujjar boy named Naina. Once, while tending his cattle, he saw a cow pouring milk from her udders on a stone. It continued for a few days. 

One night when he was sleeping, Devi appeared in his dream and told him that the stone was her flour. Naina tells Raja Bir Chand about the whole situation and her dream.

When the king saw this was true, he built a temple and named it after Naina. Sri Naina Devi Temple is also known as Mahisha Peetha because Devi defeated the demon Mahishasura. 

According to the Puranas, Mahishasura became immortal with the power given by Lord Brahma, but there was a condition that only an unmarried woman could defeat him.

Because of this boon, he started spreading fear on the earth and the gods. All the gods combined their power to combat the demon and created a devi (Goddess) to defeat him. 

When Mahishasura was mesmerized by Devi’s immense beauty, he proposed to marry her. Devi says she will marry him only if he wins over her in battle.

And Devi took out both her eyes and defeated the demon. As “Naina” means eyes in Hindi, this Temple is named “Naina Devi”. 

Another famous story about the great Sikh Guru Gobind Singh is associated with the Temple. When he set out on his military campaign against the Mughals in 1756, he performed a yajna for the deity’s blessings. 

After being blessed, he eventually defeated the Mughals in battle; hence, the place had known as the “Temple of Strength”.

Significance of Naina Devi Temple:

The Temple had situated on a triangular hillock offering a great view of the nearby mountains of Naina Dhar hill and the beautiful Govind Sagar Lake, which created the Bhakra Nangal Dam. 

The Temple had dedicated to Naina Devi, where according to Puranas, the eyes of Goddess Sati fell and thus got its name.

It had situated at the end of Naini Lake, and its surroundings are truly serene, positive and peaceful, perfect for a vacation with your spiritual side. The moment you join the vicinity of this Temple, you have a peaceful aura.

 A place that engages your senses and a certain lightness and calmness had experienced. Also, the temple premises offer an unobstructed view of Nainital Lake.

The best part of this Temple is that there are no “holy men” to distract you, no beggars, and a peaceful environment conducive to meditation and prayers. 

Naina Devi Temple Timings:

Naina Devi Temple gates are open on all days of the week. The visiting hours of this Temple are from 5:00 am to 7:00 pm. 

Day	Timings
Monday	5:00 am to 7:00 pm
Tuesday	5:00 am to 7:00 pm
Wednesday	5:00 am to 7:00 pm
Thursday	5:00 am to 7:00 pm
Friday	5:00 am to 7:00 pm
Saturday	5:00 am to 7:00 pm
Sunday	5:00 am to 7:00 pm

Harati at Naina Devi Temple:

Mangala Harati:

This is the first-morning Harati, which starts at 4:00 am when the priests open the temple gates and toll the bell to wake up the deities as part of the daily ritual. 

Shringar Harati:

The next Harati takes place at 6:00 am. All the rituals and pujas, sanas are performed by the priests who offer themselves in front of the devotees and daily without fail in the premises.

Madyan Harati:

It had followed by afternoon Harati performed by all in the Melam at noon.

Evening Harati:

It is best to attend the Harati in the evening as the surroundings and atmosphere become serene, and the worshipers get a spiritual experience. The Temple is beautifully decorated and lit up in the evening and night. The devotees run two bells, and those loud bells enchant everyone. The evening Harati takes place at 6:30 pm and is the last Harati of the day.

Festivals Celebrated at Naina Devi Temple:

Makar Sankranti: 

At Naina Devi Temple, Makar Sankranti had celebrated in various cultural forms in almost all the country’s states. People take baths in holy rivers like Ganga Sagar and Prayaga for the blessings of the Sun. 

Vasantha Panchami: 

Dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, Vasantha Panchami spreads yellow colour around. The deity is yellow and had worshipped with pooja and yajna. 

Maha Shivaratri: 

Also known as the amazing night of Lord Shiva, Maha Shivaratri had dedicated to worshipping Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati. Some people fast on this daytime, while others celebrate it by reciting hymns and singing bhajans. 

Rama Navami: 

This festival celebrates the birth of Lord Vishnu’s seventh incarnation; Sri Rama was born on the 9th day of Chaitra month. Sri Ramachandra killed the wicked Ravana. The festival falls in April. 

Raksha Bandhan: 

In Naina Devi Temple, The festival of Raksha Bandhan symbolizes and strengthens the bond of brotherhood. Still celebrated traditionally, a sister expresses her love by tying a rakhi on her brother’s wrist. In return, the brother promises to protect her forever and offers her gifts. The festival falls in August. 

Sri Krishna Janmashtami: 

Also known as Sri Krishna Jayanti and Krishnashtami, this day had celebrated as Lord Krishna’s birthday. The festival falls in August. 

Ganesh Chaturthi: 

This festival had celebrated in honour of Ganesh, one of the most famous Hindu gods and a symbol of good fortune. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated by offering laddoos and milk to the Lord. The festival falls in September. 

Dussehra: 

Also known as Vijaya Dashami, Dussehra had celebrated as the day of Lord Rama’s victory over Ravana during Satya Yuga. Goddess Durga also defeated Mahishasura on the same day. The festival falls in October.

Karva Chauth Vrat: 

On Karva Chauth, married women observe a strict fast without food and water to pray for the long life of their husbands. Nowadays, young women also observe this fast to get a good life partner. This festival had mostly celebrated by North Indians and fell in October. 

Diwali: 

Deepawali, or Diwali, marks the return of Lord Rama after 14 years of exile from Ayodhya. Diwali night had celebrated with lights and fireworks. The festival falls in November. 

New Year Celebrations: 

New Year celebrations were celebrated in the Temple with great enthusiasm every year. The entire complex had decorated with a special Sri Naina Devi Ji pooja.

Navratri: 

It marks a 9-day & night festival and allows worshipping of the divine Goddess. Navratri is celebrated every day in honour of the nine deities. The various forms of Goddess Durga are as follows: 

• Sailaputri
• Brahmacharini
• Kushmanda
• Katyayni
• kaalratri
• Mahagauri. 
• Skandamata 
• Chandraghanta
• Siddhidatri

Nearby Attractions around Naina Devi Temple:

Bhakra Dam: 

Located 226 meters above sea level, Bhakra Dam amazes visitors with its height. The 90 km long dam covers an area of ​​168 sq km and combines the Bhakra Dam and Nangal Dam.

Govind Sagar Lake: 

Govind Sagar Lake on the Sutlej River is a huge reservoir resulting from Bhakra Nangal, the second-highest gravity dam in the world. 

Mansa Devi Temple:

Mansa Devi Temple is a famous temple located in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, dedicated to Goddess Mansa Devi, who is considered a form of Shakti and had believed to have emanated from the mind of Lord Shiva. 

Garjiya Devi Temple:

It is a holy Shakti Kshetra where Goddess Garjiya had worshipped as the presiding deity. The Temple is situated on a large rock in the river Kosi and is one of the most famous temples in the Nainital district, visited by thousands of devotees. 

Purnagiri Temple:

Purnagiri Temple had an altitude of 3000 meters at Tanakpur in Champawat district of Uttarakhand (Northern Himalayan state of India), above sea level and just 20 km from Tanakpur. 

Tungnath Temple: 

It is the second in the order of Panch Kedar Temples. It is also the tallest Shiva temple in the world. Moreover, the Tungnath Mountains form the Mandakini and Alaknanda river valleys. Tungnath is where it found the bahu (hands). 

Madhyamaheshwar Temple: 

Following the order of Panch Kedar temples, it is the fourth after Kalpeshwar Temple. Peaks like Chaukhamba, Neel Kanth and Kedarnath surround the Temple. Madhyamaheshwar Temple is where there found Lord Shiva’s navel. 

Lakhamandal Temple:

Lakhamandal Temple had dedicated to Lord Shiva. It had located in the Dehradun district of Uttarakhand. Lakhamandal Temple timings are from 07:00 am to 06:00 pm. The name of the complex has roots in words ‘lakha’ meaning ‘many’ and ‘mandal’ meaning ‘temples or lingam’. 

Kalpswara Temple: 

It comes last in the order of Panch Kedar Temples. Kalpswara Temple would help if you visited Kedarnath, Tungnath, Rudranath and Madhyamaheshwar temples before Kalpeshwar temple. 

Also, it is a small temple, and devotees must pass through a cave to reach it. Kalpswara temple is the place where Shiva’s Jata (tress) appeared.

Gangotri Temple:

Gangotri Temple is an ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Ganga. This Temple had located in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand state. It had situated at an altitude of 3,100 meters in the Himalayan Range on the banks of the Bhagirathi River.

Badrinath Temple: 

This Temple is a Hindu temple devoted to Lord Vishnu in the Garhwal area of Uttarakhand. Alaknanda river flows next to the Temple. Devotees believe that the idol of Lord Vishnu is Swayambhu in nature.

Kedarnath Temple:

Kedarnath Temple had Located in the Garhwal Himalayan field in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, India. The Kedarnath Temple is one of the most prestigious and sacred Hindu temples, as it is part of the Chhota Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand. It is near Mansa Devi Temple. it is near Naina Devi Temple.

Hemkund Sahib:

Hemkund Sahib (formerly Gurudwara Sri Hemkund Sahib Ji) is a Sikh worship area in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It had also called Hemkunt Sahib. This place is devoted to the tenth Guru of Sikhism, Sri Guru Gobind Singh.

Chandi Devi Temple: 

Chandi Devi Temple had located on top of Neel Mountain in Haridwar. This Temple is in honour of Chandi Devi. It is also one of the Panch Theerthas in Haridwar. Devi Chandi is a state of Goddess Parvati and is always close to Mansa Devi. People can also reach Chandi Devi Temple by cable car.

Maya Devi Temple: 

Among the three oldest temples in Haridwar, this Temple is still intact. The other two are the Narayan-sila and the Bhairava temple. The deities of the Temple include Maya and Kali, as well as Kamakhya. 

Har Ki Pauri:

It means ‘Steps of Shiva’. Har Ki Pauri is a sacred bathing ghat. It leaves the Gangetic Mountains at a point on the banks of the Ganges and enters the plains. A person who bathes in the river Ganga washes away all his sins. It is also a part of Char Dham Yatra destinations in Uttarakhand. 

Nileswara Temple:

This Temple had situated at the foot of Nile Mountain near Kushavarta Ghat. This Temple had dedicated to Lord Shiva. Neeldhara and Ganges flow near the Temple. Here, devotees bathe before visiting the Temple. The Temple had located at a distance of 500 meters from Har Ki Pauri.

Hotels to stay near Naina Devi Temple:

Free Accommodation at Temple:

The Trust has built Patiala Dharamshala, Langar and another motel near the Langar area providing free accommodation to 1,000 devotees. 

Paid Accommodation at Temple:

The temple trust has also constructed Matri Anchal, Matri Chahya and Matri Saran lodging shelters with 45 rooms and 14 dormitories. The price of staying at these places is very nominal and affordable.

Private hotels and lodges are available near Naina Devi Temple.

• Hotel ChanniRaja
• Nature Hotels and Resort
• Hotel Lake And Woods
• Maple Residences
• The Palace Belvedere
• Aroma Hotel & Resorts
• Hotel Cloud 7
• The Naini Retreat, Nainital

Naina Devi Temple Address:

Ayarpatta, Near Naini Lake, Nainital, Uttarakhand 263002

How to reach Naina Devi Temple:

By Air: 

The nearest airport is Chandigarh International Airport, which is 100 km from Naina Devi Temple. 

By Rail: 

Anandpur Railway Station is 30 km away and is the nearest railway head to Naina Devi. Devotees can lease taxis from there to reach the Naina Devi bus stand, where they can take palkis to their destination. 

By Road:

The Temple is connected by National Highway 21. Punjab and Haryana Government provides transport bus services from all important cities. The Temple can also reach by bus from Delhi, 350 km away.

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