Naina Devi Temple
नैना देवी मंदिर
A goddess temple on the northern shore of Naini Lake, said to mark where an eye of the goddess Sati fell. It is one of the 51 sacred sites of Hinduism.
Naina Devi Temple stands beside the flat area at the northern end of Mallital, dedicated to the goddess Naina (Sati). According to legend, Sati's eye fell here, and the lake takes its name from “naina,” meaning eye. It is one of the sacred sites of the Shakta tradition of Hinduism. The present temple was rebuilt after a landslide in 1880. The main shrine houses an image of the goddess with a pair of eyes representing her, with shrines to Ganesha and the goddess Kali nearby. Shoes must be removed before entering. Entry is free, and the morning and evening prayer ceremonies are the most lively. The temple gate is close to the Tibetan Market and the lakeside landing stage, and it can be combined with a walk along the promenade.
Opening hours
Approx. 06:00–22:00
Nearby sights
- Naini Lake
- The Mall Road
- St. John in the Wilderness
- Eco Cave Garden
- Snow View Point & Nainital Ropeway
- Tiffin Top (Dorothy's Seat)
- Lok Bhavan (Raj Bhavan), Nainital
- Pt. G. B. Pant High Altitude Zoo