Naina Devi Temple

Overview

The Naina Devi Temple is located in Ayarpatta and is dedicated to Goddess Naina Devi. This temple is one of the Shakti Peethas and is situated on top of the Naina hillock. One of the most prominent places of worship in Nainital, it is believed that Sati's eyes fell at this spot.

About the temple

The Naina Devi temple is said to have been built in the 15th century A.D., which was affected and marginally destroyed by a landslide in the later years. It was in 1842, Moti Ram Shah set up the idol of Naina Devi along with other idols of God and Goddesses, after settling in Naintal. The temple was resurrected in 1883, after the temple fell victim to a landslide in 1880. Within the temple of Naina Devi, the devotees are treat to the darshan of three deities. To the on entering the temple, to the left is Mata Kali Devi, the centre represents the two Netras (eyes) of Maa Devi and to the extreme right is God Ganesha.

Legend

According to legend, Sati, Prajapati Daksha's daughter, killed herself when her father insulted her husband, God Shiva and on hearing the news, God Shiva, mad with grief, kept pacing all the three worlds. Scared of Shiva's wrath, the Gods approached God Vishnu for help. God Vishnu sent a burst of arrows, striking Shakti's body and cutting it into several pieces. As various parts of Sati's body had fallen on the earth, these various places came to be known as Shakti Peethas. Since Sati's eyes fell at this spot, this temple is called Naina Devi. Another story identified with the sanctuary is of a Gujjar Boy named Naina. When he was munching his dairy cattle and watched that a white bovine is showering milk from her udders on a stone. He saw the same thing for next a few days. One night while resting, he saw Goddess in her fantasies that let him know that the stone is her Pindi. Naina told about the whole circumstance and his fantasy to Raja Bir Chand. At the point when Raja saw it happening in actuality, he based a sanctuary on that spot and named the sanctuary after.

Other Information

Darshan timings: 05.00AM to 21.00PM

Significance

This temple is visited by devotees for marriage and longevity of husband's life.

Festivals

Some of the major celebratory occasions in the temple include Navratras. This festival is celebrated three times over the course of the year. The first time is dedicated for Mata Durga for destroying the vices, impurities and defects. The next period of three days are dedicated to Lakshami Mata who is known to be the mother of wealth. And the last period of time Navartri is dedicated to Mata Sarawati who is referred to as the mother of knowledge. Makar Sankaranti is a one of the renowned festivals in the nation. Thousands of devotees dip the diyas in Ganga Sagar in this specific day. Vasant Panchami is celebrated in remembrance of Saraswati Mata. She is considered as the Goddess of learning. This day attracted thousands of devotees from all over the region. On this day, the Goddess is adorned with yellow clothes and then worshipped. To be spiritually inclined and in sync with the mother goddess, all the devotees dress up in yellow attire. Maha Shivaratri is a highly renowned Hindu festival dedicated to no other than God Shiva. On this day, people sing bhajans, recite Shlokes in Sanskrit, offer prayers, and also keep fast on this day. This festival is also celebrated with joy in Bhaijnath Temple of Himachal Pradesh. The players for Lord Shiva continue for late nights. Also, some special food is prepared for the honor of Lord Shiva.

Accommodation

An Ayurvedic clinic has been handed over to Government of Himachal Pradesh after construction by Shri Naina Devi Ji Temple Trust. The Trust provides Rs. 3,000 worth medicines to the Health Department .It also provides Rs.50,000 worth medicines to the volunteering organizations and treatment services to the devotees during the fair. Medicines are provided during any fair or occasion according to the requirement. During the fair at Shri Nain Devi Ji, additional medicine camps and teams of doctors are made available at different spots. An ambulance is also made available for emergency situations. Few additional vehicles are also provided by Distt Administration.

Festivals

Navratri, means 'nine nights' .It is the most celebrated Hindu festival devoted to Goddess Durga .Each day of Navratri is celebrated in honor of Nine Goddesses:

Shailputri
Brahmacharini
Chandraghanta
Kushmanda
Skandamata
Katyayni
Kaalratri
Mahagauri
Siddhidatri

Mela Ashwin Navratri- October 16 to October 24.

Makar Sankranti is celebrated in grand manner in almost all places of India in different cultural forms. It is celebrated as Pongal in South India,Maghi in Punjab ,Uttarayan in Gujarat and Magh Bihu in Assam.On this day people take dips in holy rivers like Ganga Sagar and Prayag to get blessings of Lord Sun. Vasant Panchami is celebrated in honor of Goddess Saraswati. Vasant Panchami comes in the February and spreads yellow color all around. On this day Goddess is dressed in yellow and is worshipped with Puja and Yajna. On this auspicious day people wear yellow clothes and share yellow hue sweets with their friends & relatives. Maha Shivaratri is dedicated to worship of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati. People observe fast on this day and celebrate it by reciting Shlokas and singing bhajans. The celebrations and worship continue till late night when devotees offer fruits, coconut, Ganga Jal and Bilva leaves to Lord and Goddess. The festival of Holi denotes the triumph of good over evil. According to the legends, the demon Hiranyakaship wanted to kill his son Prahlada as he was a devotee of Lord Vishnu. So, the demon made a plan with his sister Holika to kill the son. Holika tried to kill Prahlada and sat with him in fire. She died in fire and Prahlada rescued. Ram Navami celebrates the birth of Shri Rama who was born on the 9th day of Chaitra month. Shri Ramchandra killed the evil king Ravana. The festival of Raksha Bandhan denotes the great bond and relationship between a brother and sister. On this day sister ties Rakhi on wrist of her brother and expresses her love. In return, brother promises to protect her forever and offers her gifts. This festival usually falls on August month. Shri Krishna Janamashtami is also known as Sri Krishna Jayanti and Krishnaashtami is celebrated as birthday of Lord Krishna. Ganesh Chaturthi is dedicated to Lord Ganesh, one of the most popular Hindu Gods and a symbol of good luck. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated by offering laddoo and milk to the Lord.

Dussehra, also known as Vijaya Dashmi is celebrated as the day of victory of Shri Rama over Ravana in Satya Yug. Demon Mahishasura was also defeated by Goddess Durga on the same day. On Karva Chauth, married ladies observe a rigorous fast without meal and water from morning so as to pray for long lives of their husbands. Young girls can also observe this fast to get good life-partner. The festival is celebrated mostly by North Indians.

Diwali signifies the return of Lord Rama after 14-years of exile from Ayodhya. The night of Deepawali is celebrated by lights and fireworks. Every year, the first day of the year is celebrated with great zeal in the temple. The entire temple is decorated in grand manner combined with special Pooja of Shri Naina Devi Ji. Tara Ratri is also known as Shri Maha Tara Jayanti or Das Mahavidya Jayanti. There are a total of 10 jayantis of Shri Mata Ji, which are celebrated round the year. these are as following:

Shri Maha Tara Jayanti
Shri Matangi Jayanti
Shri Bagulamukhi Jayanti
Shri Chindmastika Jayanti
Shri Dhoomawati Jayanti
Shri Mahakali Jaynati
Shri Bhuvaneshwari Jayanti
Shri Kamla Jayanti
Shri Tripurbhairavi Jayanti
Shri Lalita Jayanti

Mandir Darshan

Inside the temple, devotees can worship three deities. On the extreme left is Mata Kali Devi, the center representing two Netras or eyes is Maa Naina Devi and to right side is idol of Lord Ganesh. The Prasad is distributed in the hill top at various shops.

Best time to Visit

April to Oct Temple Timing: 5:00 Am to 9:00 Pm

Puja Archana

Puja archana of Shri Naina Devi Ji is done 5-times a day. Different type of “Bhog” is offered to Shri Mata Ji in each puja accompanied by 5 different aarties. These include Mangal Aarti.

Aarti

Jai Ambe Gauri, Mayya Jai Shyama Gauri
Tumko Nish-Din Dhyavat, Hari Brahma Shivri [1] Jai Ambe Gauri
Maang Sindoor Virajat, Tiko Mrig-Mad Ko
Ujjwal Se Dou Naina, Chandra Vadan Niko [2] Jai Ambe Gauri
Kanak Samaan Kalewar, Raktaambar Raaje
Rakt Pushp Gal-Mala, Kanthan Par Saaje [3] Jai Ambe Gauri
Kehri Vahan Rajat, Kharag Khapar DhaariSur Nar Muni Jan Sevat,
Tinke Dukh Haari [4] Jai Ambe Gauri
Kanan Kundal Shobhit , Naas-Agre Moti
Kotik Chandra Divakar, Sum Rajat Jyoti [5] Jai Ambe Gauri
Shumbh Ni-Shumbh Vidare, Mahisha Sur Ghati
Dhumra-Vilochan Naina, Nish-Din Mad Mati [6] Jai Ambe Gauri
Chandh Mundh Sangh-Haare, Shonit Beej Hare
Madhu Kaitabh Dou Maare, Sur Bhe Heen Kare [7] Jai Ambe Gauri
Brahmani Rudrani, Tum Kamla Rani
Aagam Nigam Bakhani, Tum Shiv Patrani [8] Jai Ambe Gauri
Chon-Sath Yogini Gavat, Nritya Karat Bhairon
Baajat Taal Mridanga, Aur Baajat Damaroo [9] Jai Ambe Gauri
Tum Ho Jag Ki Maata, Tum Hi Ho Bharta
Bhakto Ki Dukh Harata, Sukh Sampati Karata [10] Jai Ambe Gauri
Bhuja Chaar Ati Shobhit, Var Mudra Dhaari
Man Vaanchit Phal Pavat, Sevat Nar Naari [11] Jai Ambe Gauri
Kanchan Thaal Virajat, Agar Kapoor Baati
Shri Maal-Ketu Me Rajat, Kotik Ratan Jyoti [12] Jai Ambe Gauri
Shri Ambe-Ji-Ki Aarti, Jo Koi Nar Gaave
Kahat Shivanand Swami, Sukh Sampati Paave [13] Jai Ambe Gauri

Accessibility

The nearest airport is in Chandigarh and the distance from there is near about 100 km. The nearest railway station is in Anandpur Sahib and the distance from there is near about 30 km. This famous temple is connected with National Highway No. 21.

Address

Bilaspur,
Himachal Pradesh 174029