Shri Naina Devi Ji Temple
Hilltop above Anandpur Sahib, Bilaspur district (on the Punjab border) · Goddess Naina Devi, a form of Durga/Shakti, worshipped as a pindi
The hilltop Shakti Peetha of Sati's eyes, overlooking Gobind Sagar and Anandpur Sahib – reached by road, steps or ropeway.
Naina Devi stands on a hilltop in Bilaspur district, looking over the Gobind Sagar reservoir and the Punjab plains around Anandpur Sahib. It is a Shakti Peetha where Sati's eyes are believed to have fallen, and the goddess is worshipped as a pindi (stone). Pilgrims reach the top by road and a short flight of steps, or by ropeway from the base. It was the first temple listed when Himachal took temples under state management (taken over 17 December 1985), and it is one of the busiest shrines of the Nau Devi yatra, especially at the Shravan Ashtami and Navratri fairs.
Timings
- Temple hours: approx. 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Incredible India); some sources give 4:00 AM – 10:00 PM, and earlier opening (around 2:00 AM) in Navratri. Confirm with the trust (01978-288048).
- Ropeway (Rupnagar district page): Mar–Sep 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Oct 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM; Nov 8:15 AM – 5:30 PM; Dec–Feb 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM (may be outdated)
Darshan types and costs
- General darshan – Free
Sevas and costs
- Havan / special puja – Check with the temple trust office (no published rate found) (Daily, by arrangement)
- Chunari and chhatra offering – Varies (bought at shops) (During darshan)
- Mundan (first haircut) – Check at the temple (Daily)
- Langar at fairs – Free for pilgrims (Navratri and Shravan Ashtami fairs)
How to book darshan
No booking is needed for darshan. For havan or other pujas, contact the Temple Officer, Temple Trust Shri Naina Devi Ji (01978-288048). No official trust website was confirmed during research.
Naina Devi – Incredible India (no official trust website confirmed)
Dress code
Modest clothing; cover your head inside the temple.
Best time to visit
October–March on weekdays. Avoid the Shravan Ashtami fair (Jul/Aug) and Navratri weekends unless you want the festival atmosphere and accept long waits.
How to reach
- air: Chandigarh airport, about 100 km.
- rail: Anandpur Sahib (about 20 km) or Kiratpur Sahib (about 30 km).
- road: From Anandpur Sahib about 20 km (8 km uphill) via Kaulanwala Toba; from Kiratpur Sahib about 30 km (18 km uphill). The Rupnagar district page notes the temple is connected to National Highway 21. Chandigarh is about 100 km; Chintpurni about 115 km.
Festivals
- Chaitra Navratri fair – Mar/Apr
- Shravan Ashtami fair – Jul/Aug
- Ashvin (Sharad) Navratri – Sep/Oct