Located atop the Naina hillock near northern shore of the Naini Lake, the Naina Devi Temple is one of the most revered temples in Northern India. It is a famous Shakti Peeth of Hindu religion and draws devotees from all over the country. It is believed this was the place where eyes of Sati’s corpse fell when Lord Shiva carried her.
There is a huge peepal tree and across it there is an idol of Lord Hanuman. The inner sanctum has sculptures of three deities, Naina Devi (represented by two eyes in the center), Mata Kali Devi to the left and Lord Ganesha to the right. The temple organizes a big fair during Nanda Ashtami which runs for 8 days here. During other holy occasions like Navratri, Chaitra etc, a large number of devotees pay a visit to this sacred temple.
The temple complex spreads around an area which is 1567 yard long, 167 yard wide and a 93 feet profound lake. A stupendous statue-immersion ceremony has been occurring here, on the occasion of Bhadrapad Shukla Ashtami since 1918. Naina Devi Temple fills in as a noteworthy vacationer spot of Nainital. It is said that the present temple at Nainital r replaces the first fifteenth century sanctuary, which was worked amid Kushan tradition reign and got demolished in 1880 due to a landslide.
The temple remains open for devotees from 6 am to 10 pm.
Location: Ayarpatta, Nainital, Uttarakhand
