Naina Devi Temple, Bilaspur: Darshan Timings, Story & How to Reach
श्री नैना देवी जीThe Devi's eyes, on a Shivalik hilltop.
Shri Naina Devi Ji looks down on Gobind Sagar from a hilltop in Bilaspur — Suzu Travels’ home district. The legend, official darshan hours, Navratri dates, the cable car, where to stay and the easiest ways to reach the temple.
- 4 am–10 pm darshan
- 2 am–midnight in Navratri
- ~108 km from Chandigarh
- 11–19 Oct Sharad Navratri 2026
Where is Naina Devi temple and why is it sacred?
Shri Naina Devi Ji stands on a Shivalik hilltop in Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh, near the Punjab border, above the Gobind Sagar lake — about 20 km from Anandpur Sahib and 108 km from Chandigarh. Tradition counts it among the Shakti Peeths of Himachal: Sati’s eyes are believed to have fallen here. The temple trust keeps it open 4 am to 10 pm, and 2 am to midnight in Navratri.
At the centre of the sanctum is a natural pindi with two eyes (nayan) marked on it — the reason pilgrims call the Goddess Naina Devi. The temple trust describes Mahakali on its left and Ganesh on its right, with Hanuman and Ganesh at the entrance, two stone lions past the gate and an old peepal tree in the courtyard. From the top you can see Gobind Sagar, the Bhakra Dam area and the gurdwara at Anandpur Sahib.
Naina Devi is the first stop on the five Shakti Peeths of Himachal circuit, followed by Chintpurni, Jwala Ji, Brajeshwari and Chamunda. Please note that this is the Bilaspur temple in Himachal — the Naina Devi temple in Nainital, Uttarakhand, is a different shrine with its own tradition.
The story of Naina Devi
Two traditions meet on this hilltop — the fall of Sati’s eyes, and a cowherd named Naina. This is how they are told.
- Sati at Daksha's yagnaSati, daughter of Daksha, went uninvited to her father’s great yagna. Hearing Shiva insulted before the guests, she gave up her body in the sacred fire.
- Her eyes fall hereShiva wandered the worlds carrying her in grief. To calm him, Vishnu’s Sudarshan Chakra divided her body — and tradition says her eyes fell on this Shivalik hill.
- A cow and a stoneAges later, a cowherd named Naina noticed one of his cows pouring its milk over a stone every day.
- The shrine is raisedIn a dream the Goddess revealed that the stone was her pindi. A local ruler — Raja Bir Chand in the popular telling — built the temple and named it after the herdsman.
The trust’s own account names Prince Virchand of Chanderi, in the 8th century, as the builder; popular retellings say Raja Bir Chand. A second strand of the legend says the Goddess slew the demon Mahishasura here after the gods gave her their weapons — which is why the seat is also called Mahish Peeth and the Devi Mahishasuramardini. Tradition also links Guru Gobind Singh with the temple.
Naina Devi darshan timings
| Normal days | 4 am – 10 pm |
| Navratri | 2 am – midnight |
| Aarti | Clock times are not published officially — confirm locally |
| Darshan booking | Not needed — darshan is open to all; queues are longest in Navratri and the Shravan mela |
| Helpline | Temple trust toll-free 24×7: 1800 180 80 69 |
Hours from the official temple trust, srinainadevi.com (checked 9 Oct 2026). Many websites still show older 5 am – 9 pm hours.
Navratri and mela dates at Naina Devi
| What | Date | Status / source |
|---|---|---|
| Sharad Navratri 2026 | 11–19 Oct 2026 | Dussehra 20 Oct · confirm with the local panchang |
| Chaitra Navratri 2027 | From 7 Apr 2027 | Panchang |
| Shravan Ashtami mela | July–August | 2027 dates not announced yet |
Navratri and the Shravan mela bring the biggest crowds of the year, with queues through the night. Elders and small children are more comfortable on a weekday outside these festivals.
How to reach Naina Devi
By air
Chandigarh (IXC) is the nearest airport, about 108 km by road.
By rail
Anandpur Sahib (about 20 km) is the nearest station; Nangal and Kiratpur Sahib (about 30–34 km) are other options.
By road
About 108 km from Chandigarh, 150 km from Shimla and 350–370 km from Delhi. Bilaspur town is about 60–85 km depending on the route; Ghumarwin about 64 km.
The last stretch
Naina Devi bus stand is about 2 km below the shrine. A cable car runs from the base to the hilltop, or take the old footpath — about 1.25 km and steep. The long Anandpur Sahib ropeway is still only a proposal.
A two-day Naina Devi trip from Chandigarh
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Day 1Chandigarh → Naina Devi
Drive about 108 km. Cable car up, darshan, evening at the hilltop; overnight in trust rooms or at Anandpur Sahib.
-
Day 2Naina Devi → Anandpur Sahib or Chintpurni
Early darshan, then the gurdwaras of Anandpur Sahib and the Bhakra Dam area on the way back — or continue about 112 km to Chintpurni to begin the five Shakti Peeth circuit.
Every yatra is planned for your dates, group and pace — Price: Get Quote.
Before you go
- Book trust rooms only on the official siteThe trust has paid and free rooms, booked at online.srinainadevi.com. There is also an HP Government rest house near the bus stand and simple guest houses; no starred hotels on the hill.
- Check the cable car locallyCable car hours and fares are not published online — confirm at the base station, especially in Navratri.
- Dress and etiquetteThere is no official dress code, but the trust asks pilgrims to avoid short or revealing clothes. Avoid photography in the sanctum and follow the notices.
- Go early, go lightIn Navratri the temple opens at 2 am and queues build fast. Carry water, keep bags small and keep children close in the crowd.
- Prasad and langarThe trust runs a no-profit prasad shop at the main entrance and a langar for pilgrims.
Plan your Naina Devi darshan with Suzu
Naina Devi is in our home district of Bilaspur — our office near Ghumarwin is about 64 km away. We plan Naina Devi trips, the five Shakti Peeth circuit and the Nau Devi yatra: cars, stays and timings around the Navratri crowds.
Questions pilgrims ask
What are Naina Devi temple timings?
4 am to 10 pm on normal days and 2 am to midnight during Navratri, according to the temple trust. Aarti times are not published officially, so confirm locally.
Which part of Sati fell at Naina Devi?
Tradition says her eyes — ‘naina’ means eyes, and compiled Shakti Peeth lists often specify the right eye. Lists of Shakti Peeths differ (51, 52 or more) between texts.
Is there a ropeway or cable car to Naina Devi?
Yes, a cable car runs from the base of the hill to the hilltop temple; confirm its hours and fare locally. The longer Anandpur Sahib–Naina Devi ropeway has been proposed for years but is not built.
What is the nearest railway station and airport?
Anandpur Sahib, about 20 km away, is the nearest station; Nangal and Kiratpur Sahib are other options. The nearest airport is Chandigarh, about 108 km by road.
Where can we stay at Naina Devi?
The temple trust has paid and free rooms bookable at online.srinainadevi.com, there is an HP Government rest house near the bus stand, and simple private guest houses. There are no starred hotels on the hill.
When is Naina Devi most crowded?
During Chaitra and Sharad Navratri and the Shravan Ashtami mela in July–August. Sharad Navratri 2026 runs 11–19 October; Chaitra Navratri 2027 begins on 7 April.
Is Naina Devi Bilaspur the same as Naina Devi Nainital?
No. They are two different temples in two states — Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh and Nainital in Uttarakhand — each with its own tradition.
How far is Naina Devi from Chintpurni?
About 112 km by road. Naina Devi and Chintpurni are usually the first two stops of the five Shakti Peeths of Himachal circuit.
Keep exploring
Yatras & circuits
Temple guides
Planning guides
Sources
- Shri Naina Devi Ji temple trust (official)
- Temple trust — facilities to pilgrims
- Temple trust — mythology & legends
- Ministry of Tourism, Utsav — Shri Naina Devi Ji Temple
- HP Bilaspur district — Sri Naina Devi Ji
- The Tribune — Naina Devi ropeway project
- Wikipedia — Naina Devi
Legends are retold in our own words as traditions. Animations are original artwork by Suzu Travels.
