Naina Devi Mandir, Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, IN

Deities: Goddess Naina Devi
Location: Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh
Built in: 1880
Built by: Raja Bir Chand
Importance: One of Shakti Pithas
Best time to visit: July to September
Altitude: 3,995m
STD Code: 01978

“O! Mother, you always prevail in heart of every individual in form of Wisdom, Wealth and Strength. Please shower your blessings on us."

The most notable place of worship in the district is the temple of Shri Naina Devi. It is one of the 51 'Shakti Pithas'. Situated 60 km from Bilaspur district in Himachal Pradesh, Naina Devi Temple is one of the highly venerated Shakti Temples in India. The charming hill resort of Nainital gets its name from the Goddess Naina Devi. A temple dedicated to the deity stands here. The Naina Devi temple is situated atop Naina hillock in Nainital.

The word Naina is synonymous with Sati's eyes. Since then, devotees started visiting this temple. On the right side of the temple there are idols of Lord Hanuman Ji and Ganesh Ji. After reaching the main entrance of the temple, there are two statues of lions. Inside the temple, devotees have darshan of three deities. On the extreme left is Mata Kali Devi, the centre representing two Netras or eyes is Maa Naina Devi and to right side is idol of Lord Ganesh.

History:
There was a peepal tree which is existing even today in the temple premises. Naina often observed that milk would flow down from the breast of cows which have not given birth to the babies when they stand under that papal tree, Naina wondered over this incidence. One day Naina went under that tree and saw that there was an idol of durga beneath the leaves of the tree. The same day Durga Maa appeared in the dreams of Naina at night and said to him "I am Adishakti Durga” you should build a temple at this place under the peepal tree and I will become famous with your name. Naina was a staunch devotee of Durga and in the morning the next day he laid down for the temple. Very soon the information and importance of this place went around in all directions and devotees started powering in for darshan. This beautiful temple is known as Naina Devi Temple since then. There is also a cave near the temple which is known as the cave of Naina Devi.

Legend:
The attractive lake of Nainital is said to be the eyes of Sati, wife of Lord Shiva. Sati had jumped into the sacrificial fire to escape the humiliation of her husband by her father, King Daksh. Then Lord Vishnu unleashed. His Chakra and cut the Sati’s body into fifty one pieces to save the earth from Shiva’s wrath. All the fifty one places - where parts of Sati's body fell.It is believed that Sati’s eyes fell at the place where this temple is situated. Therefore, this temple is called Naina Devi.

To mourn the death of his beloved wife, Shiva carried her mortal remains across the country. The parts of her body fell at various places which today are sacred places of worship for Hindus. It is said that the shimmering green waters of the Naini Lake is a reflection of the emerald green eye of Sati. 'Naina' means eyes which symbolizes the eyes of Sati. On the northern side of the lake is built a temple dedicated to Sati and is called the Naina Devi temple.

Festival:
Naina Devi welcomes one and all throughout the year. There are 3 festivals Navratris, Shravani & Chaitra.

The Navaratri celebration in Sept -Oct is the largest fair and two more annual melas i.e. Shravani Mela in July-August & Chaitra mela in March-April , attract lakhs of people of divergent religious faith, caste, creed and culture. The colourful melas become the melting pot of Hindus, Sikhs and others-a unique sight of real Unity in Diversity.

Other important temples in Himachal Pradesh:
Baijnath Temple
Jwalamukhi Temple
Bajreshwari Devi Temple
Masroor Rock Temple
Kathgarh Temple
Lakshami Narayan Temple
Chaurasi Temples of Bharmaur
Hadimba Temple
Bijli Mahadev Temple
Prashar Temple
Bhima Kali Temple
Hatkoti Temple

How to reach:
by Air: The nearest airport is at Shimla, 85 km away.
by Rail: The nearest broad gauge railhead is at Kiratpur Sahib (65 km), while the closest narrow gauge railway station is at Shimla.
by Road: Well-connected by the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway-21, Bilaspur can be reached by bus conveniently from New Delhi, Chandigarh, Shimla, etc.

Visit www.eTirth.com for more information on Temples, Ashrams, Gurus, Festival and Daily Panchangam (Hindu ephemeris).

If you love to read visit www.KathaVarta.org for Religious stories.

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