Seek Peace And Blessings From The Eyes Of Goddess
Naina Devi Temple sits in a quaint location on the edge of Naini Lake, which makes a tour to this temple worthwhile, both for devotees and tourists alike. The temple derived its name from the legend that the eyes of Goddess Sati had fallen at this site when Lord Shiva was carrying her burnt body and different parts of her body fell at different locations. The temple currently stands at the spot where eyes of Goddess Sati fell. In fact, not just the temple, the lake (Nainital Lake) and the town (Nainital), all borrow their name from the legend. Devoted to Goddess Sati’s eyes, the Naina Devi Temple receives devotees from around the country every year in large numbers. The temple is a renowned place for Hindus who come here to seek Devi’s blessings. The Naina Devi Temple is also adorned and regarded as on out of the 51 Shakti Peetas across India.
As per a legend, Mata Sati, wife of Lord Shiva, burnt herself alive. This distressed Lord Shiva greatly. So, he took the corpse of Goddess Sati on his shoulders and began doing Tandava dance. It horrified all the deities in heaven as it could result in the holocaust. Seeing this, Lord Vishnu used his Chakra to cut Sati’s body in 51 pieces. And Naina Devi Temple is where the eyes of Goddess Sati had fallen.
The temple boasts a magnificently large and well-built complex. Inside the Naina Devi Temple’s premises stands an old, majestic Peepal Tree that shelters the visitors. An idol of Lord Hanuma is present across this tree, guarding the Goddess and showering his blessings. The temple’s main entrance has statues of two lions posed outside. The two eyes of Goddess Sati are present on the roof of this temple and are depictive of Goddess Naina Devi, accompanied by Lord Ganesha on the right and Kali Maa on the left
Constructed in 15th Century AD, the Naina Devi Temple’s idol was installed in 1842 by Moti Ram Shah, a sincere devotee. The temple also has its mention in the Kushan Period. The temple is known to have got completely destroyed following a dramatic landslide in 1880. Soon, it was built again in 1883 by the locals since they have great faith in Goddess Naina Devi. The locals think that it is Goddess Naina Devi who has been guarding them against any calamities since then.
You can come and enjoy a big fair at the Naina Devi Temple during Nanda Ashtami when devotees come to offer their devotion and take her blessings. This festival is held for 8 days in the temple’s premises. A status immersion ceremony is also held on the last day of this festival. In the immersion ceremony, the status of Goddess Nanda Devi along with her sister Naina Devi is immersed in holy water. A big and overwhelming crowd of highly religious people can be witnessed at this temple on this occasion. Other holy and sacred occasion celebrated vibrantly and full enthusiasm at this temple include Chaitra Fair and Navaratri. Devotees can be seen celebrating these occasions with great fervor and zeal at the Naina Devi Temple.
