Nainital is a beautiful place of Uttrakhand Kumaon that attracts visitors with its Maa Naina Devi Temple, which is named after Mata Naina Devi. Visitors and travelers revere the Naina Devi Temple Nainital as a holy site. It sits on the banks of Nani Lake and is worshiped as a Shakti Peeth.
Naina Devi Temple Nainital History
The Naina Devi temple in Nainital dates back to the 15th century. While Moti Ram Shah is credited with installing the goddess’s idol in 1842, the original temple was destroyed in the 1880 landslide. Rebuilt in 1883, it has been a popular pilgrimage site ever since.
According to ancient beliefs, people say that Mati Sati was the daughter of Daksha Prajapati and that Lord Shiva married her. However, Daksha Prajapati disapproved of this marriage, due to the wishes of the gods, he arranged for Mata Sati to marry Shiva despite his unwillingness.
After the marriage, Daksha Prajapati organized a yagya and invited all the gods and goddesses, but he did not invite Shiv ji or Mata Sati in the yagya. When Mata Sati came to know about this, she decided to go to the Yagya, despite Shiva’s refusal, Mata Sati went to that Yagya. When Mata reached there, her father insulted her and Shiva a lot. Due to this sadness, Mata Sati sacrificed her life by jumping into the havan to stop that yagya.
Seeing all this, Lord Shiva destroyed that Yagya, and taking the burning body of Mata Sati, he started dancing and performing Tandava here and there. Seeing this form of Shiva, to stop them, Lord Vishnu broke the body of Mata Sati into pieces with his Sudarsan Chakra, which fell in different parts of the earth, and wherever the parts of her body fell, a Shaktipeeth was established.
Mata Sati’s eyes fell on this place called Nainital, and since then, Nana Devi was established here in the form of Sakti Pitha. It is said that Nani Lake was formed due to the tears in Mata’s eyes. Since then, Mata Sati has been worshipped here in the form of Naina Devi.
You can also visit the Maa Purnagiri Temple in Tanakpur, Champawat, Uttarakhand, which is a Shakti Peeth where Purnagiri Mata is worshipped. The distance from Naina Devi Temple to Purnagiri Temple is approximately 180 km.
Architectural and Cultural Significance of Nainadevi Temple Nainital
The ancient Vastu Kala inspired the construction of the Naina Devi temple in Nainital, creating a spiritual atmosphere. Devotees install the main idol of Mata Naina Devi alongside the idols of Lord Ganesha and Maa Kali.From the Naina Devi temple Nainital, you get to see the beautiful view of Naina Lake, which gives a saintly and spiritual experience to the mind. Devotees and travellers come here throughout the year and enjoy this beautiful and spiritual place.
Festivals and Celebrations in Naina Devi Temple Nainital
Naina Devi temple Nainital Uttarakhand has the most pomp and show during Navratri. People celebrate Navratri as the most important festival. During this festival, they decorate the temple with flowers and lights, making the beauty of the Nainadevi temple worth seeing.
During the 9 days of Navratri, devotees offer amazing prayers in the temple and perform special rituals. They also celebrate Shravan Ashtami as a significant festival.
During this time, devotees and travellers also visit in large numbers. During these festivals, the entire Nainital area is scattered with spiritual and cultural charm.
How to Reach Naina Devi Mandir Nainital Uttarakhand
You reach Naina Devi temple easily because Naina devi mandir is in a very good location in the city.
- By Air: The nearest airport is Pantnagar Airport, located approximately 70 km from Nainital Uttarakhand.
- By Train: The nearest railway station is Kathgodam, about 35 km away. From there, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Nainital.
- By Road: Nainital is well-connected by road to major cities in Uttarakhand and neighboring states. You can easily get Buses and private taxis.
After reaching Nainital, you can reach the temple by taxi or boat. We suggest you take a walk to the Naina Devi temple and enjoy the views and vibe of the place. It is also best for you to take photographs of the unbelievable beauty of Nainital.
The best time to visit Maa Nainadevi Temple Nainital Uttarakhand:
If you are planning to travel to the Nainadevi temple in Nainital Uttarakhand, then you should know about the weather conditions of Nainital. The best time to visit maa Naina Devi Temple Nainital If we talk about the summer season (March to June), it’s very pleasant for travel. You can enjoy boating on the lake and trekking without any hurdles.
In the Monsoon season (July to September), you will get Frequent rain, causing landslides and slippery roads. You can enjoy the greenery of the town but also get the slippery roads and landslides. If you plan on this season, get rain protector clothes and stay updated with the weather report.
Autumn (October to November) is also the best time to travel to the Maa Naina Devi temple in Nainital Uttarakhand. You will get the perfect views and chill weather. In that time, you will enjoy the photography and easily travel to the other tourist spots in Nainital.
In the Winter season (December to February), people love to come because of the snowfall. You will find the weather cold wherever you get stunning views. Bring warm clothes for snowfall conditions.
Naina Devi Temple Nainital Entry Fees, opening Timings and Aarti Schedule
Visiting the temple is free of charge for all devotees and tourists, temple does not charge any Entry fees. Temple opening timing is 6 am and closed at 10 pm for all week. You can join the aarti at 7 am and 7 pm.
Top Attractions in near Nainadevi temple Nainital for Travelers
If you have come to visit the Mata Naina Devi temple, then you must also travel to these beautiful places of Nainital Uttarakhand.
-
Naini Lake near Naina Devi Temple :
Naini Lake is a very good place for travelers. Here you can enjoy boating along with the beautiful view of Nainital.
-
Snow View Point:
From the snow viewpoint, you get to see the beautiful view of the Himalayan peaks, Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Nanda Peak. You can reach it by trekking or taking a cable car.
-
Tiffin Top Nainital:
Tiffin Top Nainital is a holy place for nature lovers. If you want to do photography and picnic, then Tiffin Top is the best place.
-
Mall Road:
Mall Road is very famous in Nainital. Mall Road is the market of Nainital, which is situated on the edge of the lake, which gives a very different feeling. Here you can also try shops, handicrafts or tasty street food.
-
Eco Cave Gardens
A family-friendly attraction, Echo Cave Garden is a fun and adventurous experience through interconnected caves and hanging gardens. The caves are themed after different animals, making it an exciting activity for kids.
-
The High-Altitude Zoo
If you like to see a zoo, then you must visit Nainital Pt. G.B. Pant High Altitude Zoo. Here, you will get to see Himalayan leopards, Himalayan bears, and many other fascinating animals.
-
Hanuman Garhi Nanital
This Hanuman temple is also very beautiful at some distance from Nainital. The view of the sunrise and sunset here looks very captivating.
-
Sattal and Bhimtal
If you want to make your travel journey more exciting, you should explore the beauty of lakes and mountains in the small towns of Sattal and Bhimtal.
-
Naina Peak (Cheena Peak)
Naina peak is the highest place in Nainital from where you get to see a beautiful view of the Himalayas and nature. This place is best for photography.
-
John in the Wilderness Church
This historic church, built in 1844, is surrounded by dense Deodar forests. It’s a peaceful spot to experience the colonial charm of Nainital.
Accommodation Near Mata Naina Devi temple Uttarakhand :
If you plan to stay in Nainital, there are many accommodation options in the city. Many hotels, resorts, and homestays are available in budget, mid-range, and luxury ranges, so you can choose according to your budget. If you are planning to come in the tourist season, then we suggest you pre-book your accommodation because at that time, all hotels are full of bookings, so to avoid any inconvenience, booking is best. The prices also change according to the season.
Naina Devi Mandir Travel Tips for Visitors
- Footwear: Wear comfortable shoes for walking, as Nainital has a hilly landscape.
- Clothing: Carry light woolens even in summer, as the weather can turn cool unexpectedly.
Naina Devi Temple Nainital Uttarakhand Map
FAQ:
- Where is Naina Devi Temple located?
Ans. The temple is in the Naina hillock at the northern end of Naini Lake in Nainital, Uttarakhand.
- What are the temple times?
Ans. Naina Devi Temple is open daily from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
- What is the distance between Naina Devi Temple Nainital and Neem Karoli Baba Ashram (Kainchi Dham)?
Ans. The distance between Naina Devi Temple Nainital to Neem Karoli Baba Ashram ( Kainchi Dham) is approximately 17 to 18 kilometers. This journey typically takes around 40 to 45 minutes by road.
- How far is Naina Devi Temple from Mall Road in Nainital?
Ans. You can easily walk to the Naina Devi Temple, which sits at the northern end of Naini Lake, next to Mall Road in Nainital. The distance is minimal and you can cover it in just a few minutes.
- What is the distance from Kathgodam to Naina Devi Temple in Nainital?
Ans. The nearest railway station to Nainital is Kathgodam, which is approximately 35 kilometers from the Naina Devi Temple. The drive from Kathgodam to Nainital usually takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions.