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Naina Devi Temple
Naina Devi · Shakti Peetha of the Eyes · Nainital, Uttarakhand
॥ ॐ नैना देव्यै नमः ॥
The Naina Devi Temple stands at the northern end of Naini Lake in the hill town of Nainital, Uttarakhand, and gives both the lake and the town their name. Revered as a Shakti Peetha linked to the eyes — the naina — of Sati, it is among the most visited shrines of the Kumaon Himalayas, set against still water and wooded slopes that draw travellers and pilgrims alike.
The Shakti Peetha of the eyes
Tradition holds that the eyes of Sati fell at this spot, and the Goddess is worshipped here as two netra, or eyes. The word naina means eyes, and from it come the names of the goddess Naina Devi, the lake Naini and the town Nainital itself.
The temple by the lake
The shrine sits at the lake’s northern edge by the flat of Mallital, shaded by an old peepal tree. Within the sanctum the form of Naina Devi is flanked by Mata Kali and Lord Ganesha, and the open lakeside setting gives the darshan a rare calm.
History
The site is anciently revered, but the temple seen today was rebuilt after the great Nainital landslide of 1880 swept away the earlier shrine, and has been cared for and restored in the years since.
The setting
The emerald Naini Lake, ringed by ridges such as Naina Peak and Tiffin Top, made Nainital a beloved hill station that grew around the sacred water — so a visit naturally joins pilgrimage with a stay in the hills.
Festivals
Nanda Ashtami and the Nanda Devi fair in late summer are the chief celebrations, when the temple and the town fill with devotees; Navratri also brings pilgrims to the shrine.
Darshan timings
The temple is generally open from about 6:00 am to 9:00 pm, with morning and evening aartis. The lakeside location makes early-morning darshan especially peaceful.
How to reach Naina Devi
- By train: Kathgodam is the nearest railhead (~35 km).
- By air: Pantnagar airport is about 70 km.
- By road: about 300 km from Delhi by car or bus.
Tips for your visit
- Combine darshan with a boat ride on Naini Lake.
- Early mornings are serene; weekends and the summer season are busy.
- Carry a warm layer for the hill chill.
- Walk the Mallital lakefront after your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Naina Devi a Shakti Peetha?
Tradition holds that the eyes (naina) of Sati fell here, and the Goddess is worshipped as two eyes; the town and lake take their name from her.
Where is the Naina Devi temple?
At the northern end of Naini Lake, in the Mallital area of Nainital, Uttarakhand.
What are the temple timings?
Generally about 6:00 am to 9:00 pm, with morning and evening aartis; busiest during the Nanda Devi fair and Navratri.
When is the main festival?
Nanda Ashtami and the Nanda Devi fair in late summer are the chief celebrations at the temple.
How do I reach Naina Devi?
Kathgodam is the nearest railway station (~35 km), Pantnagar airport is ~70 km, and Nainital is about 300 km from Delhi by road.
Is this the same as Naina Devi in Bilaspur?
No — this is the Naina Devi temple at Naini Lake in Nainital, Uttarakhand, a separate shrine from Shri Naina Devi in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh.
॥ जय माता दी ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Temple Name | Naina Devi Temple |
| Primary Deity | Naina Devi (eyes of Sati) |
| Location | Nainital |
| District | Nainital |
| State | Uttarakhand |
| Significance | Shakti Peetha (eyes) |
| Architecture Style | North Indian Shikhara |
| Approximate Period | Rebuilt after 1880 |
| Key Festival | Nanda Ashtami |
| River / Body Nearby | Naini Lake |
| Special Features | Worshipped as two eyes (netra) |
| Darshan | 6:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Nearest Railhead | Kathgodam (~35 km) |
| Coordinates | 29.3919° N, 79.4542° E |
| Entry | Free |