Maa Naina Devi Temple

Maa Naina Devi Temple is a well-known Shakti Pith of the Hindu religion. The Temple is a sacred place of great devotion in Nainital. Goddess Naini Devi, the deity of Maa Naina Devi Temple, is located at the northern end of the famous Nainital Lake. Goddess in this holy temple is represented by her two eyes only. Devotees from faraway places come here to take blessings of Maa Naina Devi.
The temple is located atop the ‘Naina hillock’ near the Naini Lake. It draws thousands of devotees from every corner of India every year. There are many shops in close proximity to the Temple from where you can buy the Prasad as well as pooja items.

Attraction

Nainital city in Uttarakhand offers enormous places of traveler interest to its tourists and to watch these attractions is a real accomplishment. Naina Devi temple is among one of the main traveler attractions in Nainital and is a highly respected place for pilgrim travelers. The lake region is the place where all the main attractions of the city are to be easily found.
Naina Devi temple is positioned on the top of the ‘Naina hill’ at the northern shore of Naini Lake in Nainital. The lead god of the temple is Maa Naina Devi represented by two ‘Netras‘ or eyes. Nainital is one of the 64 Shakti peethas also known as religious places of Hinduism and that is why this temple gains much attention.

History

According to mythology, in the olden days of history when Sati (the wife of Lord Shiva), unable to accept the insult when her father King Daksha refused to call Sati and Lord Shiva (for a yajna), tragically burnt herself to death. Devastated and grief-stricken Lord Shiva was returning to their abode with her body in His arms. Meanwhile, her body parts fell on various places on earth. The temple of Naina Devi is built on the place where the eyes (Naina means eye) of the Goddess are assumed to have fallen, while Lord Shiva was carrying her body.

This temple is a very old temple and is believed to have been built in the 15th century A.D. which was restructured in 1883. There is a beautiful lake 167 yards wide and 93 feet deep behind the temple. The entrance gate to the temple is marked by an enormous ‘Peepal’ tree to the left. On the right, there are idols of ‘Lord Hanuman’ and ‘Lord Ganesha’. Inside the temple, there are 3 deities Mata Kali Devi, Maa Naina Devi, and Lord Ganesha. Every year on Bhadrapada Shukla Ashtami, a statue immersion ceremony similar to that celebrated in Maharashtra and in West Bengal has been done here since 1918-19.

Inside/Outside Views

Nestled amidst the picturesque and majestic hills of Nainital, the Naina Devi temple is a revered ‘Hindu pilgrimage’ site dedicated to Goddess Naina Devi (an incarnation of Goddess Parvati). Steeped in history and mythology, the temple is believed to have been built in the 15th century making it an old temple. It is famous for its captivating architecture as well as its serene atmosphere.
One of the Shaki piths of Durga, this is where the eyes of Sati fell on earth according to mythology. Many people say that Maa Naina Devi fulfills all blessings. From the parking, you have to go straight to the enchanting cable car counter from where you will reach uphill. Once there, you will still be required to climb a few steps (100 or 150) to reach the main shrine. As it is on the hilltop.

Once you reach there, the view is something to brag about. A lovely Gobind Sagar Lake (which is a large man-made reservoir of Bakhra Dam) can just be seen down from the top. Also, the wind is always so cool and fresh. It’s a beautiful view as you feel a little scared seeing a lake surrounded by majestic mountains from all sides and you will wonder how deep that can run!

Opening Hours

Friday 6 AM–10 PM

Saturday 6 AM–10 PM

Sunday 6 AM–10 PM

Monday 6 AM–10 PM

Tuesday 6 AM–10 PM

Wednesday 6 AM–10 PM

Thursday 6 AM–10 PM

How to Reach

By road: It is situated in Nainital’s ‘Ayarpatta Range’ area. From the busy area of Nainital, Naina Devi Temple is only 500 meters away. Nainital is well connected with other major cities like Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, etc. of the country. And from Nainital city, you will get local transport to reach the site.

By air: The closest airport, ‘Pant Nagar Airport’ (which is a domestic one), is almost 70 kilometers away from this area and is in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand. You can visit this place from India. Apart from that, there are airports in Delhi or Lucknow with direct flights to Pant Nagar. From the airport, you can easily get local transport to reach the site.

By train: The closest railway station from the Naina Devi Temple is 36 km away at the ‘Kathgodam railway station’. This station is well connected with major areas of the country. From the station, you will get local transport so that you can reach the site.

Tips for Travellers

Please wear suitable and comfortable clothes according to both culture and seasons.
Don’t forget to follow the code of conduct.
If you are visiting Nainital for the first time, try to visit in a group for safety purposes.
Avoid theMonsoon, it’s better to avoid visiting during the monsoon season (from July to August) due to heavy rainfall, which can lead to landslides and difficult travel conditions.
May and June are the best months to visit the temple.
Take off your shows before you enter the temple complex.
Once you are down, just drive for 25-30 kms and you will reach Bakhra Dam which is another lovely spot. (Though the management of Bakhra won’t let you stay for long)