Image: https://hindi.holidayrider.com/
Shri Naina Devi Ji is one of the most prominent places of worship in Himachal Pradesh located in district Bilaspur. This Temple is connected to NH-21 & is 70 kilometers from Bilaspur.
It is situated on triangular Hill also known as Naina Dhar hill which is 3,535 feet from sea level.
Shri Naina Devi Ji Temple has emerged as one of the most important Centre of pilgrims in the region for both Hindu and Sikhs.
Surrounded by the landmark of Bhakra Dam, Anandpur Sahib, and Govind Sagar Lake. It is one of the famous 51 Shakti Peeths of Hindus having mythological linkage with Lord Shiva & Guru Govind Singh.
According to the legend, Lord Shiva‘s consort Sati once burnt herself alive in Yagna to avenge an insult to Lord Shiva . The distraught Shiva picked her corpse and gyrated his Taandav dance. This horrified all deities in heaven as this could lead to holocaust. This urged Lord Vishnu unleashed his Chakra and cut Sati’s body into fifty-one pieces, where part of the body fell, became known as Shakti peeths. It is believed that Sati’s eye fell at the place where this temple is situated. Therefore this temple is called Naina Devi.
The word Naina is synonymous with Sati’s eye. Since then devotees started visiting this temple.
This holy place witnessed the huge crowd of pilgrims and devotees round the year and especially during Shravan, Ashtami, and in the Navratras of Chaitra & Ashvin.
A special fair is organized during Chaitra, Sharavan, and Ashvin Navratri, which attracts millions of visitors from Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and other corners of the country.