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Naina Devi Temple,Bilaspur,Himachal Pradesh
Locality/village : Bilaspur
State : Himachal Pradesh
Country : India
Nearest City/Town : Bilaspur
Best Season To Visit : All
Languages : Hindi& English
Temple Timings : Naina Devi Temple is open from 6.00 am to 10.00 pm
Photography : Not Allowed
Naina Devi Temple,Bilaspur,Himachal Pradesh
Naina Devi Temple is one of the most famous temples of 9 divine powers in Himachal Pradesh. Naina Devi Temple is a holy shrine that is dedicated to Shri Naina Devi, one of the forms of Goddess Shakti. Located on the top of a hill in Bilaspurdistrict of Himachal Pradesh, Naina Devi Mandir is one amongst the fifty two Shakti Peeths.
Naina Devi Temple is a sacred place especially for the Hindus. Pilgrims come to visit this temple to pay their homage to the Goddess. According to the legends, the different body parts of Sati fell on the earth during the time of self-sacrifice. It is believed that Sati’s eyes fell at this point and subsequently, a temple was built here to commemorate the goddess. The term ‘Naina’ suggests ‘eyes’, so the goddess came to be known as Naina Devi.
In the Naina Devi Temple complex, there is huge Peepal tree that is acclaimed to be present from past many centuries. On the right side of the entrance to the main shrine, idols of Lord Hanuman and Lord Ganesha are placed. After crossing the main gate of the shrine, two striking statues of Lions are visible. The main shrine reveals the images of three deities. Goddess Kali can be traced on the extreme left. In the centre, image of Naina Devi is visible, while Lord Ganesha is on the right side.
The Naina Devi Temple is perched over a small yet scenic hill. From the suburbs of the temple, one can spot the picturesque Govind Sagar Lake. Close to the main shrine, there is a small cave, which is known as Shri Naina Devi Cave. In the earlier days, people used to trek the steep path of 1.25 kms to reach the temple at the hill-top. Now, the facility of cable car has been launched to make to journey easy and enjoyable.
It is about 1219 Mt. height from sea level. The temple of Naina Devi is situated on the top of a triangular hill commanding and unparalleled view of the Holy Anandpur Sahib Gurudwara on one side and Gobindsagar on other. The Govind Sagar Lake and Bharka Dam is situated near this temple. The popular hill resort located in Himachal Pradesh known by the name of Nainital has been named after the famous Naina Devi Temple.
Naina Devi Temple,Bilaspur,Himachal Pradesh
This ancient temple is understood to have been built in the 15th century A.D., which might have destroyed in a landslide. Later, 1842 Moti Ram Shah, while settling in Nainital had installed the idol of Naina Devi along with other idols of Gods and Goddesses, which is said to have been re-established in 1883 after the landslides in 1880. Amidst the 1567 yards long, 167 yards wide and 93 feet deep lake, the temple attracts a number of tourists. Every year a statue immersion ceremony is celebrated here since 1918-19, similar to that in Maharashtra and West Bengal on the Bhadrapad Shukla Ashtami.
Several mythological stories are associated with the establishment of the temple. According to a legend, Goddess Sati burnt herself alive in Yagna, which distressed Lord Shiva. He picked the corpse of Sati on his shoulder and started his Tandava dance. This horrified all deities in the heaven as this could lead to holocaust. This urged Lord Vishnu to unleash his Chakra that cut the Sati’s body into 51 pieces. Shri Naina Devi Temple is the place where eyes of Sati fell down.
Another story related to the temple is of a Gujjar Boy named Naina. Once he was grazing his cattle and observed that a white cow is showering milk from her udders on a stone. He saw the same thing for next several days. One night while sleeping, he saw Goddess in her dreams who told him that the stone is her Pindi. Naina told about the entire situation and his dream to Raja Bir Chand. When Raja saw it happening in reality, he built a temple on that spot and named the temple after Naina’s name.
Naina Devi Temple is open from 6.00 am to 10.00 pm
Devi Mahishasurmardini is worshipped during navratri in a grand way. Durga puja is one of important festivals celebrated at Mahishamardini temple. During Navaratri, Devi is worshipped in a new form during the 9 days.
A four day theerth yatra is celebrated in April when people from different parts of the world attend the yatra. Also on Shravan Ashtami, a big fair is held annually at this temple.
Shri Naina Devi Temple is also known as Mahishapeeth because of defeat of demon Mahishasur by the Goddess. According to the legends, Mahishasur was a powerful demon who was blessed by the boon of immortality by Lord Brahma, but the condition was that he could be defeated only by an unmarried woman. Due to this boon, Mahishasur started spreading terror on Earth and Gods. To cope with the demon, all Gods combined their powers and created a Devi to defeat him. The Devi was gifted different types of weapons by all Gods. When Mahishasur got mesmerized by the immense beauty of Devi and proposed her to marry him. Devi told him that she will marry him if he would overpower her. During the battle, Devi defeated the demon and took out both his eyes. This urged Gods to happily applaud “Jai Naina” and hence the name.
Maa Durga is known as the slayer of the demon Mahishasur, who was originated from a buffalo which represents the animal nature in us in this form of Maa Durga is called Mahishasura Mardini. Means Maa Durga slayed down a demon named Mahishasura who represent the animal features in human like ego, ignorance, greed & selfishness. The lord Shiva is worshipped as Krodhish.
In this form Mahishasura Mardini, the Mother Goddess shows us the path to defeat the animal nature in human beings with her divine help. The lion, the steed of the Maa Durga, represents man’s virility.
One can easily reach Naina Devi Temple by taking regular Buses or by hiring taxis from Chandigarh or Shimla. The temple is connected with National Highway, NH-21 through Anandpur Sahib. It’s just 7 miles from Anandpur Sahib. Another way to reach the temple is via Nangal and Bhakra Dam route, which will let you to explore the magnificent scenery of Bhakra dam and its surroundings on way to one of the most important Shaktipeeths. As the temple is on the hills, you have to travel around 2km. by foot. However, the rope-way or cable car facility is also available for the devotees.
