Visit to Maa Naina Devi Temple, Nainital, Uttrakhand.

Situated on the northern end of the famous Nainital Lake, stands the Naina Devi Temple. It is one of the prominent Hindu pilgrimage sites in Uttrakhand. It is one of the 51 Shakti Pithas.

According to legends,

It is said that Goddess Sati visited her father with her husband Lord Shiva to attend a 'yagan' uninvited. As her father didn't like Lord Shiva, he insulted him which was unbearable for Goddess Sati! She felt highly humiliated and then committed suicide. Lord Shiva held her body in his arms and won't cremate her. Days passed but he stood adamant. Some legends say that he performed Tandav which has the power to destroy the entire world. On seeing this threat, Lord Visnu releases his Sudhershan Chakra which cuts the body of Goddess Sati into 51 parts, wherever her part fell, that place came to be known by that part and a temple came up. Here her eyes (Naina) fell so it is named Naina Devi Temple and place was called Nainital!^[source]

Maa Naina Devi Temple, idol placed inside this temple

View inside the temple complex

How to Reach

Naina Devi temple is located on the northern bank of Naina Lake in the city of Nainital.

By Railways: The nearest railway station is Kathgodam, which is 35 km from the city. From Kathgodam you can take a private cab/taxi or bus to Nainital.

By Road: You can easily take the buses from some of the major northern cities like Chandigarh and Delhi.

By Air: The nearest airport is Pant Nagar airport which is still 60 Km away.

History

Build in the 15th century, the Nanda Devi idol was installed by a devotee Moti Ram Shah in 1842. A landslide in 1880 completely damaged the temple but the locals built the temple again in 1883 as they have deep faith in Maa Naina Devi. ^[source]

Naina Devi temple is also mentioned in the Kushan period. (30AD - 375AD)^[source]

Architecture and Design

Two lion statues are placed on the walls outside the main entrance of the temple.

Entrance of temple complex

Lion head placed outside the entrance gate wall.

Many idols other than Maa Naina Devi were placed inside the temple complex. Just inside the main entrance, on the right side, a huge idol of Lord Hanuman is placed along with Lord Ganesh.

Lord Hanuman idol placed on the right from the main entrance

Idol of Lord Ganesha placed right next to Lord Hanuman's idol

One of the interesting things about Hindu temples are, they have bells installed at the gate and devotees ring bells before entering the temple and during the prayers. Sometimes devotees come with a wish and after their wish or work is successfully done with God's grace, they in return sometimes donate bells to the temple. You can see the no. of bells hung inside the temple complex potentially donated by devotees all around the world.

Bells hung in the courtyard of temple complex

Devotees ringing the bells

In the courtyard, a place is dedicated to Lord Shiva. You can see the Shiva Lingum is placed on what seems like a lotus flower.

Lingum placed inside the temple complex to worship Lord Shiva

Close-up view of Lingum

Nandi, the bull-vahana of Lord Shiva

Thousands of travellers come to visit the temple, Aarti takes place every evening in the temple. During the festivals like Navratri and Chaitra a massive crowd can be seen.

Unfortunately, photography of the main idol of Maa Naina Devi was prohibited, there are three sculpted deities, two eyes that represent Naina Devi is placed in the centre and on the right is Lord Ganesha and to the left is Mata Kali Devi.

Beautifully crafted piece of Artwork placed on one of the walls

Mata's chunri, an alter cloth piece, hung by devotees

There is a market outside the temple where you can get prasad and pooja samagri for offering prayers.

I visited this temple last week during my trip to Uttrakhand's Nainital. I will strongly advise everyone coming to Nainital to pay a visit here, preferably during the evening time so you can catch the Aarti as well. You will enjoy the serene beauty of the place.

I will leave you with the shots of Naini lake.