Shri Naina Devi Ji temple is one of the famous temples in North India. Located in district Bilaspur of Himcahal Pradesh, this temple is located close to the border of Himachal and Punjab. Pilgrims from Himachal, Punjab, Delhi, UP and other areas visit the temple throughout the year. However during festival seasons like Navratris, Shravan and Chiatra (months of Indian calendar) there is huge inflow of pilgrims to the temple.
Shri Naina Devi temple is located on a hill which is in triangular form. The hill is known as Naina Dhar and is approximate 3535 feet above sea level. Until the year 1987 local priests and partners used to operate the temple. Now temple is operated by “Shri Naina Devi Ji Temple Trust” formed under the Hindu Public Act (1984). The SDM Sadar of Bilaspur district is the president of the trust while the Tehilsdad Sadar Bilaspur is the Secretary. Remaining members of the trusts are district education office, medical office, village head etc. You can check the updated list of Trustees here.
Facilities for devotees at Naina Devi Temple:
Temple offer various services to the devotees that are mostly free or at subsidized costs like:
History of Temple: -
Naina Devi Mandir is one of the 51 shakti peethas in the world. Shakti Peethas are the place where parts of goddess Sati fell on the earth. As per Hindu legends Mata Sati (wife of Lord Shiva) burnt herself alive in Yagna organized by her father Dakhsa Prajapati. It’s believed that Dakhsa organized the Yagna and invited all the lords and Devatas except Shiva. But still Sati insisted to visit the Yagna, on reaching Daksha insulted Shiva and distressed Sati fell in the Yagna Kunda and burnt herself. Lord Shiva then took corpse of Sati on her shoulder and start roaming around the universe. To get Lord Shiva out of this stage, Lord Vishnu used his chakra that cut the Mata Sati’s body into different pieces. Each place where the pieces fell one Shakti Peeth was built later. It’s believed that the eyes of Sati fell at this place, thus the name Naina Devi.
Temple was later built at this place. As per the legends a local shepherd, used to graze his cattle one day saw one of his cow showering milk on a stone. This continued for few days and later that shepherd saw Goddess in his dream and told him that stone is her pindi. Shepherd shared this with the king Bir Chand, who when saw this happening in realty built a temple at that place.
How to Reach: -
If you want come from Chandigarh simply you can arrive in temple by Bus. Distance between Chandigarh and Shri Naina Devi temple near about 108 kilo meter and 20 km from Anandpur Sahib. You can visit by bus or your own vehicle for Shri Naina Devi temple. Nearest airport is at Chandigarh around 110 km away. Anandpur Sahib is the nearest Railway station which is around 30 km from the temple.
Normally you can visit the temple all days of the year however you can avoid the winters as its very cold and foggy during that times.
Other facts:
Ancient cave: Very few pilgrims know that there is an ancient cave near the temple. This cave is near the point where ropeway reaches uphill. It is a narrow cave and people enter the cave one by one in small groups.
Few other places to visit includes: Kripali Kund, Khappar Mahishasur, Kala Johar and Kolan wala Toba. All these places are sacred and of religious importance.
Kolan wala Toba is the first halt and popular for lotus flowers in the lake. Many people take bath here and begin the journey.
Kala Johar also known as Chiksu Kund is the area where the skull of Chiksu the main commander of demon Mahihsasur fell. Person with skin problems get cured by taking bath here. Also married women without children are believed to be blessed with children after taking bath here.
Shri Naina Devi temple is located on a hill which is in triangular form. The hill is known as Naina Dhar and is approximate 3535 feet above sea level. Until the year 1987 local priests and partners used to operate the temple. Now temple is operated by “Shri Naina Devi Ji Temple Trust” formed under the Hindu Public Act (1984). The SDM Sadar of Bilaspur district is the president of the trust while the Tehilsdad Sadar Bilaspur is the Secretary. Remaining members of the trusts are district education office, medical office, village head etc. You can check the updated list of Trustees here.
Facilities for devotees at Naina Devi Temple:
Temple offer various services to the devotees that are mostly free or at subsidized costs like:
- Langar: Langar is offered to the pilgrims free of costs in the lnagar bhawan. Breakfast, lunch and dinner meals are offered daily.
- Dharamshala for free stay: Dharmashala with a capacity of stay for 1000 people been constructed by temple trust. Stay is Dharamshala is free but one can also opt for rooms and dormitories in nearby staying shelters at nominal costs.
- Shop: One shop is run by trust for Prasad and sweets etc. The shop is a non-profit shop located near the main entrance gate of the temple.
- Toilets & Bathrooms
- Medical facilities
- Free cloak room services near bus stand
History of Temple: -
Naina Devi Mandir is one of the 51 shakti peethas in the world. Shakti Peethas are the place where parts of goddess Sati fell on the earth. As per Hindu legends Mata Sati (wife of Lord Shiva) burnt herself alive in Yagna organized by her father Dakhsa Prajapati. It’s believed that Dakhsa organized the Yagna and invited all the lords and Devatas except Shiva. But still Sati insisted to visit the Yagna, on reaching Daksha insulted Shiva and distressed Sati fell in the Yagna Kunda and burnt herself. Lord Shiva then took corpse of Sati on her shoulder and start roaming around the universe. To get Lord Shiva out of this stage, Lord Vishnu used his chakra that cut the Mata Sati’s body into different pieces. Each place where the pieces fell one Shakti Peeth was built later. It’s believed that the eyes of Sati fell at this place, thus the name Naina Devi.
Temple was later built at this place. As per the legends a local shepherd, used to graze his cattle one day saw one of his cow showering milk on a stone. This continued for few days and later that shepherd saw Goddess in his dream and told him that stone is her pindi. Shepherd shared this with the king Bir Chand, who when saw this happening in realty built a temple at that place.
How to Reach: -
If you want come from Chandigarh simply you can arrive in temple by Bus. Distance between Chandigarh and Shri Naina Devi temple near about 108 kilo meter and 20 km from Anandpur Sahib. You can visit by bus or your own vehicle for Shri Naina Devi temple. Nearest airport is at Chandigarh around 110 km away. Anandpur Sahib is the nearest Railway station which is around 30 km from the temple.
Normally you can visit the temple all days of the year however you can avoid the winters as its very cold and foggy during that times.
Other facts:
Ancient cave: Very few pilgrims know that there is an ancient cave near the temple. This cave is near the point where ropeway reaches uphill. It is a narrow cave and people enter the cave one by one in small groups.
Few other places to visit includes: Kripali Kund, Khappar Mahishasur, Kala Johar and Kolan wala Toba. All these places are sacred and of religious importance.
Kolan wala Toba is the first halt and popular for lotus flowers in the lake. Many people take bath here and begin the journey.
Kala Johar also known as Chiksu Kund is the area where the skull of Chiksu the main commander of demon Mahihsasur fell. Person with skin problems get cured by taking bath here. Also married women without children are believed to be blessed with children after taking bath here.
