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Naina Devi Temple, Bilaspur
Naina Devi · Shakti Peetha · Himachal Pradesh
॥ ॐ दुं दुर्गायै नमः ॥
The Naina Devi Temple is a hilltop Shakti Peetha in the Bilaspur district of Himachal Pradesh, where the eyes of the goddess Sati are said to have fallen. From her shrine high above the Gobind Sagar reservoir, the goddess Naina Devi watches over the surrounding hills, drawing pilgrims from across north India. The temple is reached by a stair climb or a ropeway, and its great fairs at Shravan Ashtami and Navaratri fill the hilltop with worshippers.
A Shakti Peetha of the hills
Naina Devi is counted among the Shakti Peethas, the sacred sites linked to the goddess Sati. Tradition holds that her eyes, naina, fell at this spot, and the goddess is worshipped here as Naina Devi, the watchful mother of the hills.
The temple crowns a hilltop in Bilaspur district, and the climb to her shrine is itself part of the pilgrimage, rewarded by the sight of the goddess and sweeping views over the valley below.
Above the Gobind Sagar
From the hilltop the temple looks out over the Gobind Sagar reservoir, formed by the Bhakra dam on the Sutlej, its broad waters spreading through the hills. The setting gives the shrine a commanding outlook and adds to the sense of ascent that marks the pilgrimage.
Pilgrims reach the temple either by climbing the stone steps or by taking the ropeway that carries visitors up the hillside, a convenience welcomed especially by the elderly and by families with children.
Fairs and worship
The temple is one of the most visited goddess shrines of Himachal Pradesh, busy through the year and thronged during its great fairs. Devotees offer prayers, coconuts and chunnis to the goddess and seek her blessings for protection and well-being.
The Shravan Ashtami fair and the two Navaratris bring the largest crowds, when the hilltop is alive with pilgrims, stalls and continuous worship, and special arrangements are made for the great influx of visitors.
How to reach Naina Devi Temple
- By road: Naina Devi is in Bilaspur district, reached by road from Bilaspur, Una and Anandpur Sahib, with buses and taxis to the base of the hill and the ropeway.
- By train: Anandpur Sahib and Nangal in Punjab are among the nearest railheads, with taxis onward to the temple hill.
- By air: Chandigarh Airport is the most convenient, roughly 100 to 120 km away, with taxis to Naina Devi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Naina Devi Temple?
It is on a hilltop in Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh, overlooking the Gobind Sagar reservoir.
Why is Naina Devi a Shakti Peetha?
Tradition holds that the eyes, naina, of the goddess Sati fell at this spot, making it one of the sacred Shakti Peethas.
How do pilgrims reach the shrine?
The temple is reached by climbing the stone steps up the hill or by taking the ropeway from the base.
What are the main fairs?
The Shravan Ashtami fair and the two Navaratris are the temple’s greatest occasions, drawing very large crowds.
Which reservoir does the temple overlook?
It overlooks the Gobind Sagar reservoir, formed by the Bhakra dam on the Sutlej river.
How do I reach the temple by air?
Chandigarh Airport is the nearest, about 100 to 120 km away, with taxis to Naina Devi in Bilaspur.
॥ जय माता दी ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Primary Deity | Naina Devi (Shakti Peetha) |
| Location | Bilaspur district |
| State | Himachal Pradesh |
| Significance | Shakti Peetha (Sati’s eyes) |
| Setting | Hilltop above Gobind Sagar |
| Access | Stair climb or ropeway |